Rice Park, formally known as Harold W. Rice Memorial Park, is a 3.8-acre county park located at the up-country district of Kula in Maui, Hawaii. Sitting about 2,500 feet above sea level, the park offers spectacular panoramic view across the Central Maui isthmus all the way to the West Maui Mountains, making it a popular spot for picnics and sunset watching.
The park was named in honor of Harold W. Rice, a former Hawaii Territorial senator for Maui and delegate to the Republican National Convention from Hawaii Territory as well as one-time Chairman and executive officer of the County of Maui. Three years after Rice's death in 1962, his son Oskie donated the land that is now the park to the Kiwanis Club who, in turn, donated it to the County.
Today, the park is a popular hangout area among locals who stop at the park on the way home from work to drink a beer and enjoy the incredible vantage point for viewing a Maui sunset. Tourists also flock to the park for unobstructed views of the entire Maui valley. Apart from running around and enjoying the views, another favorite activity among local children is sliding down the park hills on cardboard boxes.
Facilities include picnic tables and barbecue grills, restrooms, public payphone, water fountain and parking.
Rice Park is on Lower Kula Road, in the up-country region of Maui. To get there, head uphill from either Pukalani or Makawao towards Kula on Hwy 37. Look for the Rice Park sign, about 8/10th of a mile past Mile Marker 13. Drive up ~100 yards to the top of the hill, and park at the upper lot.
Photo credit: www.hawaiilife.com
