We love sharing Maui’s Agricultural beauty… Some of our favorite things to show you are Ulupalakua Ranch below and Maui’s Winery. Everyone loves the old trees and rich history of the land on Maui. They love tasting and learning about the wines made on Maui from four different grapes and from Pineapple. The scenic vistas from the 3, 000 ft. elevation are breathtaking and people love the relaxed drive overlooking Maui’s South shore. Wailea and Kihei are beautiful from above. We can see the Kai Kanani catamaran anchored off the Makena beach and Golf Resort. I love pointing out my favorite beach on the island, Makena Beach.

Our guests are always amazed at the bi-coastal view from Ali`i Kula Lavender farm at the four thousand foot elevation. There are so many varieties of plants and flowers everywhere that it is a feast for the eyes. After enjoying a Lavender tea or coffee with a delicious lavender scone, we do a walking tour into the proteas from South Africa and Australia and lavender planted by Mr. Ali`i Chang Co-Founder of the Lavender farm. It’s a gorgeous rich experience for all. Then we travel throughout Kula, Maui sharing all the beauty and history of our island. Ricky was born and raised here and his ancestors arrived in the late 1870′s from Portugal.

At Kula Country Farms there are dahlias, cosmos, strawberries, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers, nasturtiums, herbs, pincushion flowers and so much more. The picnic tables are just above the children’s garden with something beautiful for everyone to enjoy. At times we can meet the miniature ponies. Some days the fat chickens are running about. There are ducks too. In the adorable farm stand you can purchase Country gifts of Maui such as local honey, jams and jellies, syrups, tea towels with garden designs, art work by Meredith (one of the employees), delicious and chilled strawberry juice, (so refreshing), all the veggies, like carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, string beans, peas, cabbage, lettuce, lemons, lilikoi, broccoli, squash, pumpkins and local corn. Now they have a food truck serving wonderful meals with all the local ingredients. Their burger is named after “Papa Rice” after Henry Rice head of the Kaonoulu Ranch. Teena and Chauncey Monden lease the one hundred and eighty acres from the ranch to grow their crops. Originally a 10,000 acre Hawaiian Ahupua`a,  it was sold to a Chinese potato farmer, who sold it to a sugar magnate, who sold it to his grandfather, Maui senator Harold W. Rice, in 1916. (from an article in the Wall Street Journal dated January 22, 2010)

We’re looking forward to sharing Maui’s newest 82 acre farm, the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery on Omaopio Road just below Surfing Goat Dairy. We’d love to take you to both places to share the beautiful scenery, the organic sugar cane planted in rows ten feet apart. You can walk among the sugar and hear it blowing in the wind. The earth is mulched with a heavy layer of shredding from tree trimmers who deliver the mulch to the farm as an organic weed control. The vodka is created from desalinated sea water that comes from the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s shipped to Maui in containers to be be fermented with organic sugar grown right here on the farm.

It’s a gorgeous location and a very interesting process to see how vodka is made and bottled then distributed all over the country.   It’s also wonderful to see a new venture on Maui take place before our eyes. You can purchase bottles of Ocean Vodka on the property but they won’t be serving the alcohol on site, however, Surfing Goat Dairy has a BYOB policy that you may open alcohol and I’m told it goes perfectly with their delicious lemonade. So you can visit the gift shop, travel on up to Surfing Goat Dairy to enjoy some of their 18 award winning cheeses and possibly a little Ocean Vodka lemonade Martini.

So if you want to get closer to the land and culture of Maui, join us for a tour of the Up-Country farms or a wonderful West Maui Coffee Tour. Proteas are blooming on the slopes of Haleakala between 2,000 and 4,000 feet on the South West facing slopes. They arrived from South Africa and Australia in the 1970′s. These amazing flowers have been on the planet since dinosaurs. It’s wonderful to walk among a prehistoric garden filled with lavender and king proteas and banksias from Australia. I love to have people feel the flowers and touch the bushes to squeeze the lavender. We walk into the lower fields to see the edible gardens and crush the leaves of the new young cinnamon tree while taking in the amazing vistas of Maui below. Guests who can’t walk as well enjoy the lanai or benches overlooking the whole lavender farm. These beautiful proteas are in bloom October through May while the majority of lavender fields are in full bloom all summer long worldwide. Some of the varieties of French, Spanish and English lavenders are in bloom year round.

Call to arrange your tour with us 808 283-9131 We’d love to personalize a tour for you. Private Tours are $200.00 per person

Our morning and afternoon Up-Country Farm Tours are $125.00 per person. Children 4-12 $99.00  Kama`aina rate is 15% discount.

Our Coffee Tours are $150.00 per person Children:  $99.00 Kama`aina rate is 15% discount

You’ll see  Piliani Kope farm and Kaanapali Coffee estates where the 500 acres of MauiGrown Coffee is grown.

We  will customize a tour to O`o Farms and Aina Lani Farm for you, or choose Three farms Up-Country you’d like to see like Enchanting Flower Gardens, Shim Coffee Farm, and the Lavender Farm.

HALF-DAY TOURS

After Ulupalakua we travel to the 4,000 ft elevation to Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm. We enjoy tea, coffee and scones then proceed to a walking tour in the old proteas (planted on Maui in the 1970′s) from South Africa and Australia, now planted with lavender, edible gardens, citrus, avocado and olives. It’s an amazing experience and a highlight of our day.

We do a wonderful lunch created at Whole Foods Kahului, Maui. Choices are the turkey-bacon-avocado-spinach-aioli, Classic Italian or Veggie sandwich, all on ciabattas. (let us know if you prefer gluten-free) We also prepare an amazing salad for large groups with local ingredients at Whole Foods. Fresh Pineapple, and other local fruits like lilikoi are served.

Everyone loves the local style and fruits they have never tasted before.

After lunch we stop by Kula Country Farms a 180 acre farm where they grow pumpkins, strawberries, squash, string beans, cabbage, onions, tuber rose, and more proteas. Guests can shop in the quaint farm stand overlooking all of West Maui. (Closed on Monday)

9AM – 2PM (5 hours) Cost of Tour (including lunch and refreshments) $125.00 Kama Aina Rate is a 10% discount available to local residents. Minimum of four to travel so check with us to see if we have others booked. (Otherwise private.)

Private tours are $225.00 per person and you’ll love having the van all to yourself.

Pride of America Cruise ship passengers are picked up at the Kahului harbor at 8:30 AM.

All others meet at Whole Foods Kahului by 8:45 AM. We now pick up at Lahaina Harbor for an additional $50.00 per person.

So if you want to visit beautiful Up-Country Maui, you can come with us for a wonderful agricultural and scenic tour of the island of Maui.

Afternoon Up-Country Farm Tour: Same as above but 11:45 AM -4:45 PM

NEW OCEAN VODKA ORGANIC FARM AND DISTILLERY

Deluxe Up-Country Photo Farm Tour:

~ Scenic Ocean View Tour of Ho`okipa Beach Park

~ History of Sugar Cane on Maui ~ Old Town Of Paia

~ Pineapple Country

~ Maui’s Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch

~ Lavender Farm for Tea or Coffee and scones

~ Lunch created by Whole Foods Kahului. Maui.

Surfing Goat Dairy walking tour, cheese sampling where you’ll see the goats up close, learn about the dairy and cheese making process and you’ll love the many chevres flavored with herbs from the 42 ACRE farm. They have 18 award winning cheeses.

FINISH AT THE  New Ocean Vodka Organic Sugar Farm and Distillery and bottling operation. (open for tours April 29, 2013) where we’ll experience the organic sugar farm plantings and learn how Ocean Vodka is created from Sea water, fermented with the sugar and the distilling and bottling process.

~ Gift shops at each location and plenty of areas to relax and enjoy the view. The all day tour begins at 9:00 AM but pick up times are ~ 8:30 AM from Kahului Harbor, varies at Lahaina Harbor depending on the ship schedule, ~ 8:45 AM from Whole Foods 70 Ka`ahumanu Ave. in Kahului.

WEST MAUI COFFEE TOUR

Pick up at Kahului Harbor 8:00 AM, Whole Foods Market 70 Ka`ahumanu Ave. 8:15 AM and Lahaina Harbor 9:00 AM then we travel to Launiupoko to Piliani Kope Coffee Farm. We start with an introduction to the farm where we taste delicious fresh roasted Piliani Kope coffee overlooking beautiful West Maui at 600 ft. above the sea. Then it’s into the coffee trees to learn about growing coffee beans, harvesting and the art of processing coffee, from picking, drying, pulping to roasting and tasting the fresh roasted Coffee. Imagine smelling the roasting beans. You’ll love the views of the valley and mountains behind the farm and the ocean views from Piliani Kope Farm. The barn is a gorgeous place flooded with light from the French Windows over the coffee bar. Beautiful woods, and unique coffee processing machines are a work of art. Guests can shop for t-shirts, coffee, and art-work in the barn while we prepare for our picnic lunch.We have a wonderful picnic lunch with sandwiches provided by Whole Foods Kahului chosen at time of booking. (Choices are: Turkey-Bacon-Avocado-Spinach-Aioli, Italian Sub, or Veggie) and Fresh island fruits overlooking the magnificent view.

Then we explore the Ka`anapali Coffee estates where 500 acres of coffee are grown and four varieties of coffee trees, thanks to James (Kimo) Falconer who resurrected the Coffee Trees and created the MauiGrown Coffee brand.

You’ll see four different varieties of coffee growing and learn about how they harvest the rare Mokka Variety which is gaining notoriety as a MauiGrown Coffee. If we’re lucky we’ll get to observe some of the harvesting process. With such a large acreage it must be done by machines that go through the rows and rows of coffee trees. Its a rich adventure. Then we hop back in the bus for a scenic tour to shop at The Maui Grown Coffee Company Store for gifts and meet Jeff Ferguson who manages the store. (closed Sundays) We’ll samples fresh roasted Mokka and Peaberry or Catuai. You can ship coffee home directly from the store. Then we cruise through quaint Lahaina Town back to the Harbor at 2PM and Kahului by 3PM. You’ll return with a memory for life.  Tour 5 hours. (Private tours $225.00 per person) will be personalized for you) Cost of Tour: $150.00 Call Marilyn at 808 283-9131 to book your farm tour. Lahaina pick ups are included on the West Maui Coffee Tours.

SHORT TOURS

THE SUGAR EXPRESS TOUR Have a short time and want to see some of Maui’s agricultural beauty? Take The Sugar Express Tour. We take you up into Iao Valley, a lush tropical rainforest just minutes above Wailuku town. You’ll be able to see the rushing stream and the famous Iao Needle. We’ll take photographs and provide you with a digital postcard after your trip. Then we’ll proceed up to the Maui Tropical Plantation for a wonderful Tram Tour which travels through a 60-acre working plantation and takes about 35-40 minutes. You’ll see where they grow all of the Tropical Fruits and Flowers along with breathtaking scenery. Along the way you’ll learn about Coconuts and even see a Coconut Husking Demonstration. There’s also Kumu Farms planting food at the plantation with plans for a hands on picking produce market. It’s a really beautiful place. As we leave Maui Tropical Plantation we’ll head to the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum, a delightful collection of sugar memorabilia from actual workers in the cane fields. You’ll see how a sugar mill works and maps of the old plantation camps that are the history of Maui. This is the last working sugar mill in the State of Hawaii at Puunene. The “Sugar Express Tour” (9 AM-12 noon) Cost is $99.00 Kama aina is 10% discount. Waters and juices are provided on the tour. Call 808 283-9131 ~ ask for Marilyn  Private Tours are available for $225.00 per person. (The whole van for your group)

Look forward to seeing you on our tours…

~ Aloha everyone

all tours have a 72 hour cancellation policy.

The Maui Ag Festival was bigger than ever. The crowd was amazing. The enthusiasm for farmers, food, flowers, coffee and all things agriculture was celebrated with music, Hula, Taste Education demonstrations with chefs paired with farmers and some of the most amazing talented people of Maui. The atmosphere was exciting, uplifting and energizing. We got to see friends and be surrounded by the things we love about Maui. There was so much going on from Spirits to chocolate, Ulu, (breadfruit), Taro, exotic fruits and vegetables, macadamia nuts, coffee, sugar, pineapple, citrus and avocados, persimmons, lavender and a flower arranging contest. The barbecue smoke permeated the air. Soccer groups served BBQ plates, others served pork sliders, Maui Cattle, ribs and others debuted Shaka Pops made from fresh fruits of our island. I barely got to see it all as I was working in the Education Tent with Pomai Weigert. We partnered together to share the Hawaii Ag-Tourism Association with everyone. As an incentive we offered a chance to win a free tour for two and over one hundred people signed up! The enthusiasm was so great I’m still smiling. I saw my friend Ken Love President of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Grower’s Association only for a moment at 7:30 AM.

Here I am meeting my Twitter friend, Macrobiotic Chef  @Macrohawaii  Leslie Ashburn.

My Friend and local hero, Susy Stille of Piliani Kope Farm. She and her husband Greg Stille (President of the Hawaii Coffee Association) were just voted one of our local heros for all the wonderful ways they give back to the community in the state of Hawaii.

The most abundant unique vegetables grow on Maui. This citrus is called Buddhas hand. The unusual cauliflower is grown by Coca farms in Kula, Maui. I get to visit many farms but have barely touched the surface when it comes to the eight hundred farms on Maui. If only everyone was ready for Ag-Tourism. For now we got to see many of the farmers come out in explosion at the Maui Ag Festival an annual event we would like to become a daily event. Imagine growing enough food on Maui that we could survive here without imported food. Well at least we could decrease dependence.

Here’s the small edible garden at the Lavender Farm in Kula. Situated among old proteas from South Africa and Australia, French, English and Spanish lavenders, the new edible gardens are a bounty of lettuce, bok choy, beans, peas, onions, chards, spinach, edible flowers and the orchard are full of stone fruits including plums, pears, apples, mulberries, citrus and avocado. There’s even a cinnamon tree. I can just imagine in five years how beautiful the orchard will be.

I never tire of the giant king proteas that took to the slopes of Haleakala back in the nineteen seventies. The lavender is gorgeous surrounded by prehistoric flowers that have been on earth since dinosaurs.

We love to take our guests to Ho`opkipa en route to the country farms. It gives us a sense of where we are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Now we  stop at Lumeria Maui on our way up Baldwin Avenue through the old Pineapple Country changing before our eyes. It’s a four star resort in the country popular for meditation retreats, yoga, massage, organic food and classes in horticulture and aromatherapy. The landscaping with palms and native plants is breathtakingly healthy and a beautiful place to feel the trades blowing through the palms.

We want to encourage native plantings of original Hawaiian Plants every day in Hawaii to help restore the natural beauty of the islands . The islands were so different in ancient times. Let us take the time to learn and preserve what is left. Part of the agricultural beauty is the preservation of the natural beauty that is Hawaii.

Pin Cushion flowers are plentiful on the slopes of Haleakala, Maui. There are over twenty five varieties.

The Jade flower vines are so beautiful at Maui’s Winery.

These awesome farmers are Manu Akana and David Horsman of Ho`opono Farms

Food from Ho`opono Farms West Maui Farm

Jimmy Gomes is Ranch Manager for Ulupalakua Ranch. Aloha Jimmy!

Coca Farms

These ladies are doing a wonderful thing with the “Waste Not, Want Not” Foundation. When fruit is needing to be harvested before it goes to waste, people call them sometimes on short notice to come and harvest. The food is donated to senior homes and after school programs. The Foundation is supported by donations.

Kula Country Farms Strawberries grow year round. The picking season for the public is February through May. They waited until after the Easter Egg hunt so everything would be perfectly beautiful for the children. The Pumpkins will be planted in the upper fields this summer for harvest in September and October. On the lower one hundred eighty acres more strawberries grow, and onions, cabbage, string beans, squash, kale, zucchinis, carrots, beets, and other root vegetables.

These are from my own garden where I grow lettuces, beets, string beans, carrots, peas, onions, chives, hollyhocks, basils, thyme, rosemary, sage, lilikoi, papaya, apple bananas, coffee trees and eagerly plan to dig in the soil and plant more.

These are my old friends from Hana Fresh where I used to work as a registered nurse at the Hana Community Health center, now Hana Health. They’re growing on ten acres  and have a farmers market tent seven days a week in front of the clinic in Hana.

My friend Pomai Weigert and one of my partners in promoting agricultural tourism. We are connecting farmers and visitors in the community to enhance the visitor experience. People are wanting an enriched experience that takes them closer to the land. Our goal is to innovate, educate and perpetuate enthusiasm for agriculture. It takes a vision written on your heart to achieve a dream such as a farm, an added value product, a new way of making a living. We see the future of Hawaii as a series of cottage crops on all islands thriving and growing food for all. Many farmers want to do Ag tourism but don’t know where to begin. Hawaii Ag Tourism Association is here to walk you through the hoops. There are many steps to make your farm ready and you can begin by utilizing the check list available at the HATA website. “Are you ready for Ag-Tourism?” First become a member by joining HATA. Together each achieves more. We will work together. Lani Weigert, the co-founder of Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm is the executive director,  and together we can use that model to create many more successful farms.

The Maui Ag Festival was a “farmers market on steroids” as Melissa Chang said it in her blog at Non Stop Honolulu. Maui is really off the charts full of talent, and amazing farmers, chefs and gardeners. The creativity is inspiring for everyone to see. So come join us any day of the week on Maui. We’ll visit farmers, farmers markets, chefs and foodies, artists and agricultural beauty.

We love sharing Maui’s agricultural beauty!

Call me to schedule a personalized tour. 808 283-9131

~ Marilyn

Next we travel to the 4,000 ft elevation to Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm. We enjoy tea, coffee and scones then proceed to a walking tour in the old proteas and lavender. Now they’ve planted the edible gardens with citrus, apple, plums, cinnamon, avocado and the olives trees are flourishing. It’s an amazing experience and a highlight of our day.

We do a wonderful lunch created at Whole Foods Kahului, Maui. Choices are the turkey-bacon-avocado-spinach-aioli, Classic Italian or Veggie sandwich, all on ciabattas. (let us know if you prefer gluten-free) We also prepare an amazing salad for large groups with local ingredients at Whole Foods. Fresh Pineapple, and other local fruits like lilikoi are served. Everyone loves the local style and fruits they have never tasted before.

After lunch we stop by Kula Country Farms a 180 acre farm where they grow pumpkins, strawberries, squash, string beans, cabbage, onions, tuber rose, and more proteas. Guests can shop in the quaint farm stand overlooking all of West Maui. (Closed on Monday)

9AM – 2PM (5 hours) Cost of Tour (including lunch and refreshments) $120.00 Kama Aina Rate is a 10% discount available to local residents. Minimum of four to travel so check with us to see if we have others booked. Private tours are $200.00 per person and you’ll love having the van all to yourself. 808 283-9131

Pride of America Cruise ship passengers are picked up at the Kahului harbor at 8:30 AM. All others must meet at Whole Foods Kahului by 8:45 AM. (Lahaina Harbor is a 45 minute drive to Kahului) We now pick up at Lahaina Harbor for an additional $50.00 per person. So if you want to visit beautiful Up-Country Maui, you can come with us for a wonderful agricultural and scenic tour of the island of Maui.

Afternoon Up-Country Farm Tour: Same as above but 11:45 AM -4:45 PM

Guests at Kahului Harbor can be picked up at 11:30 AM

~Marilyn

Aloha from Maui Country Farm Tours,

We love sharing Maui’s Agricultural beauty. We specialize in Up-Country Farm Tours, West Maui Coffee Tours, customized tours for small groups and large groups up to twenty people. We pick up at Kahului Harbor, Whole Foods Market Kahului 70 Ka`ahumanu Ave. and also Lahaina and Ka`anapali for an additional fee for the transfer. We have morning tours, afternoon tours and all day tours.

Our tours begin in Kahului.

Our all day tour begins when we pick you up in Kahului and head for Ho`okipa Beach Park (The wind-surfing capital of the world) before heading Up-Country to the farms.

We take a scenic ocean view tour first by the last working sugar mill in the State of Hawaii through acres of sugar cane and the historical old town of Paia, once home to another sugar mill, then on to Ho`okipa Beach Park for some photos overlooking the magnificent surf. We often see Hawaiian sea turtles (Honu) and surfers, kite sailors, and wind surfers on the beautiful waves. We allow time for photographs then travel up through Paia, past the skeleton of the old sugar mill and railroad station where cane was once transported in the early days of sugar. We point out the tunnels used in the elaborate ditch system dug by the Chinese in the late 1800′s to transport water from East Maui to the sugar cane fields. Then it’s on through Pineapple Country ­where­­­ Ricky was born and raised in Hali`i Maile the headquarters of The Maui Pineapple Company, now gone and history is changing before our eyes.
If not for Maui’s Winery in Ulupalakua, the pineapple would be gone. But today they lease over 1200 acres and continue to grow the Maui Gold pineapple which is used in many of their pineapple wines. They call it Hali`i Maile Pineapple Company.

After traveling through the pineapple camp we head to Ulupalakua for a wonderful scenic drive and stop at Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Maui’s Winery. You’ll learn the history of the 150 year old ranch along the way and be amazed at the feeling of old Maui when you arrive to see the trees planted by captain James Makee in the late 1850′s. We walk among the old trees taking photographs and enjoying the history of Ulupalakua ranch. There are approximately 2300 head of cattle, elk, sheep, goats and wild turkeys on the 20,000 acre ranch.

The ranch land begins at sea level and goes to 6500 ft.

Guests can do a wine tasting of either pineapple or grape wines in the King’s Cottage (built by Captain James Makee for King Kalakaua to stay overnight) now the wine tasting room. Our visitors are so amazed at the diversity of the land on Maui and love to see how people actually live when we drive through Kula, Keokea and Ulupalakua.

They love the old-fashioned ranch store with the wooden floor and real life characters sculpted and sitting on benches on the lanai.

After Ulupalakua we travel to the 4,000 ft elevation to Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm. We enjoy tea, coffee and scones then proceed to a walking tour in the old proteas (planted on Maui in the 1970′s) from South Africa and Australia, now planted with lavender, edible gardens, citrus, avocado and olives. It’s an amazing experience and a highlight
of our day.

Silver Leaf Proteas at the lavender farm.

The Lookout point from the lower lanai where we have our large group lunches is magnificent.

Prehistoric Giant king protea buds mixed with lavender make a magical garden.

Sweet English  lavender in full bloom all summer long.

Here I am with Lani Weigert, Co founder of the lavender farm. Koa Chang is top right. He is the son of farmer and co-founder Ali`i Chang. That’s Harrison, the farm manager who taught me so much about the farm.

Gloriana Bush

Our guests love the lavender tea and scones at Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm on the lanai overlooking magnificent Maui below from 4,000 ft. elevation. It’s a Mediterranean climate with coolness in the air.

We do a wonderful lunch created at Whole Foods Kahului, Maui.

Choices are the turkey-bacon-avocado-spinach-aioli, Classic Italian or Veggie sandwich, all on ciabattas. (let us know if you prefer gluten-free) We also prepare an amazing salad for large groups with local ingredients
at Whole Foods. Fresh Pineapple, and other local fruits like lilikoi are served. Everyone loves the local style and fruits they have never tasted before.

For our all day tours we can choose finishing off at either
1. Surfing Goat Dairy for a walking tour of the goat farm, cheese
making process and sampling of fresh goat cheeses.

OR
2.  The NEW Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and distillery (open for tours April 29, 2013) where we’ll experience the organic sugar farm plantings and learn how vodka is created from Sea water, fermented with the sugar and the distilling and bottling process.

There are gift shops at each location, picnic areas where guests can just relax and enjoy the view while others are participating in the tour.

The new Ocean Vodka barn and distillery.

The young sugar plants are now maturing and ready to begin harvesting for vodka making. We’ll be walking in the sugar cane and learning all about the different varieties, some from original plantings by early Hawaiians.
The all day tour begins at 9:00 AM but pick up times are 8:30 AM from Kahului Harbor, varies at Lahaina Harbor 9:15 AM depending on the ship schedule, 8:45 AM from Whole Foods 70 Ka`ahumanu Ave. in Kahului.
We return to Kahului by 4 PM and Lahaina must add 45 minutes.
If your ship departs that evening from Lahaina harbor, it’s best to
book a morning tour (1/2 day).

This tour is wonderful and includes a set of books by Marilyn Jansen. (Cookbook, gardening, and drawings of Hawaii)

On this tour guests are also provided with a beautiful digital
postcard of their day.

The tour is $175.00 per person

Give us a call at 808 283-9131 so I can plan a tour for you and your family or friends or just the two of you on a private tour. We’re local and we love to share Maui with a passion.

~ Marilyn

Watching Kamea Hadar the lead director of Pow Wow Hawaii, an annual gathering of artists from all over the world was amazing.  They are transforming warehouse spaces in Honolulu by painting murals, and even creating classrooms, darkrooms, housing artists in un-seaworthy boats on his family land, when they come to paint.  He and another guy painted the entire mural of Daniel Inouye during the lunch break.
I will not say I don’t have time to paint anymore. It was such an exciting day! Lia Krieg and Kainoa Horcajo were excellent Masters of ceremonies. Quayle Hodek stands out in my mind. He is called one of the “7 hottest CEOs” by Treehugger.com and he is a visionary for Renewable Energy. He is the CEO of Renewable Choice Energy. He’s helping Third World Countries now by providing electricity via mini solar panels that can give light to families who once had only candles to use for the entire night with their families. He has us imagine spending the whole night in darkness, doing homework by candle light, cooking, caring for a baby, not being able to see the faces of your family  when the lights went out. One of his clients is Whole Foods who are using Windpower 100% nationwide. Wow, I was impressed.

The first speaker, Poet, Kim Rosen, was raised to be a lawyer and spoke like one ever since childhood. She really knew since she was two years old that she wanted to be a poet. Something that came from deep inside of her. She had us laughing and then in tears as she told the story of speaking to Masai girls and being terrified of them. Shy girls had been rescued from their tribes to end the forced marriages at eight years old and genitalia mutilation. She was working with a woman named Eve of V-day “stopping violence against women” who was helping to change their lives. She didn’t know what to say. When one of the young girls asked Kim, “What is my name?” Kim said a name and all the girls shrieked with laughter pointing to another girl with that name. Then they asked her to sing a song, and she said she really didn’t sing but she could recite a poem. So then she tried to think of a poem appropriate for these girls out of the hundreds she had memorized in her lifetime. The poem was “The Journey” by Mary Oliver and it had many of us shed tears.

Archie Kalepa now elected in the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame thrilled us with his journeys on the ocean from Big Wave surfing to stand up paddling across the channel to Molokai and down the Colorado River teaching Indians and bringing awareness about the need for water in those regions. He told us the story of meeting Eddie Aikau when someone was caught in a rip tide and Eddie was lifeguard on Oahu.

I was excited to see and hear Makana who showed his genius and humor while playing guitar for us.

At lunch I got to meet Mick Fleetwood, yes of Fleetwood Mac! He was very gracious.

There were a thousand people at TedxMaui. It was much bigger than last year. I loved both events and I’m thankful I got to attend. I saw that Steven Tyler was there for the after party and what an amazing island we live on in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Visionaries, entrepreneurs, leaders of Hawaiian Culture, young scientists, all coming together to make this world a better place… See the #tedxmaui2013 hashtag to view all the photos by the social media crew. Thanks again to Katie MacMillan and Sara Tekula as well as their entire crew of TedXMaui for another life changing event.

Looking forward to seeing more and more dreams become real!

Aloha everyone…

It’s time for TedxMaui 2013. When I first heard of Tedxtalks I hadn’t a clue. I’d heard they were going on all over the United States and the world. People were giving the twenty minute talk of their life about technology, education and design. They were meant to inspire, enlighten and make this world a better place. I watched a few talks, one about vulnerability, how it was okay to be vulnerable human beings, others by inventors and designers of amazing sculptures that intrigue and shock one to move and rescue as it appears to fall and then rights itself. A twelve year old talked of sustainability and neighborhood gardens in New York City. Award winning journalist Amy Cortese spoke about Locavesting and how a community could be transformed by investing in the local businesses within a fifty mile radius. All this inspired me to support and  bring attention to local farmers on Maui and to dream of ways to grow food on our island by representing Ag Tourism and sharing Maui’s Agricultural Beauty. Dr. Arthur Medeiros taught us about Auwahi: Hope on a Hawaiian Volcano.  Together with Ulupalakua Ranch owner Pardee Erdman, he is doing a restoration project of our native Hawaiian plants. We can do our part to continue the restoration project. It’s a ten year old forest that is truly inspiring and hopeful.
The opening act TedxMaui2012  TAIKO DRUMMERS took the stage.
I was blown away. It was exciting and beautiful. We took our seats in the lovely Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Culture Center with all our friends from Social media. The word had spread through Twitter and Facebook.

The very first speaker Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey was captivating and beautiful. Her talk “Ancient Wisdom For A Modern World” made us realize that in our busy, rushing about world we miss so much. It is important to slow down and feel and just be.

When I arrived at Tedxmaui2012 it was with eager anticipation to hear two of my favorite ladies, Lani and Pomai Weigert, speak. Lani is Co-Founder of the Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm and Pomai is her daughter who practically grew up on the farm. She had turned in her glamorous life of travel and tourism for the country chic life of the Lavender Farm. Together they coined the phrase “Sustainable Aloha” and with Ali`i Chang, who passed away in 2011, they created the renowned farm in Up-Country Maui. Nothing like it had ever been done. By partnering with local product makers of jellys, jams, gelato, scones, chocolates, coffees, teas, they enhanced our community and with Lani’s marketing genius they put Ali`i Kula Lavender on the map all over the world. Ag-Tourism has become a new phenomenon and they became my inspiration to become a part of the farm to table movement on Maui.

These are the three talks that stand out in my mind. The amazing Paula Fuga, singer, songwriter and once the face of homelessness told her story of being a young girl living with her parents on the beach at Sand Island in Honolulu with nothing…nothing but a tarp to cover themselves with when it rained. I was moved to tears. She was asked once “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and she saw herself on a stage performing for a crowd with a blue light shining on her as she sang, but she replied “A teacher.” She kept her dream to herself so no one would try to destroy it. She knew the importance of keeping negativity out of her life. Even though it appeared to be a hopeless situation she knew somewhere deep inside herself there was hope and she must believe that she was here for a much bigger purpose. There was a dream and to achieve that dream one must have a plan, and pursue it with all their heart.  Then she sang and played ukulele for us and again at the after party for TedxMaui 2012. I downloaded her CD “Lilikoi” and fell in love with her music. She is such a talented writer with soul and feeling. Her voice is deep and moody and jazzy with a melancholy that can’t be denied but still so beautiful.   The mood was hopeful, exciting and happy for Katie Mac and Sara Tekula the producers of TedxMaui 2012. The after party which was included in the ticket was fantastic. Catering was by Dana Pastula of Cafe o’ Lei. The music, dancing and mingling in the afterglow of all the inspiration is difficult to describe. I can only say I was changed and I know everyone was.

Google TedxMaui to see all the amazing speakers and get your tickets for January 13, 2013

In Hawaii it’s hard to imagine there is winter. But we feel the subtle changes in the air. It’s cooler, the surf starts to get big on the North shore, we begin to feel the excitement of the holidays and the arrival of the humpback whales. Then come the visitors in a sudden arrival to the islands on holiday for Christmas season. Many Canadians take month long vacations from the freezing cold temperatures of Canada. We’re glad for that as they contribute generously to our economy. They love Kihei on Maui and there is even a monument to a famous Canadian explorer on the shore in Kihei just across from the Maui Lu in North Kihei.

Yet, the air is perfectly balmy and the trade winds blow so softly that many would say it’s just too warm for Christmas.

I love Maui and the subtle arrival of winter in Hawaii. The most beautiful thing about the islands is the way people begin to show how they care. It’s not an easy time for so many though everything looks cheery and beautiful.

The Salvation army volunteers outside  the stores at the Big K-Mart and Longs drug stores remind us to give a little bit to help the poor. The Lokahi Giving project on all islands established by newscaster Leslie Wilcox and Mariellen Jones in partnership with KHON NEWS have given a hands up to hundreds of thousands of children, elderly and under privileged men and women during difficult times. Events  at Ka`ahumanu Shopping center give us a sense of Christmas spirit. Remember to give at this time and throughout the year. The Maui Food bank is in great need of non perishable food and cash gifts. Don’t forget Women Helping Women.

Up at the Lavender farm the classes have filled up with plant lovers creating their gorgeous wreaths of lavender, proteas, silver leaf, eucalyptus and pine.

The king proteas, pin cushion flowers, snowy owl mink proteas, safari reds, silver leaf are absolutely gorgeous right now. Huge bouquets are available and displayed throughout the boutique and lanai overlooking West Maui magnificent bi coastal views. We love to have lavender tea and lavender coffee is my new favorite with delicious scones made with French Lavender by Jeanne the bread lady for AKL MAui.

I also discovered I love the strawberry pepper jam. It is so bright and delicious. Remember to pack your gift items in your checked bags for the airport. You don’t want to lose a precious gift. Do sign up for e-mail updates because they have a sale item every day. You’ll love the lavender citrus hand soap, the gardener’s lotion with lavender and citronella, the lavender tea with mint, chamomile and lavender, the body creme which is so rich and luxurious with Aloe, jojoba, sunflower oil, coconut oil, flax seed, primrose, calendulas, and lavender all organic of course! I send my sister in California the lavender massage oil for the dry mountain climate. It’s perfect after a shower or bath.

My friend Melanie Boudar, The Sweet Paradise Chocolatier is busy with her elves creating artisan chocolates for the Wailea Gateway Store and shipping all over the world. Love these little boxes with a salted caramel, truffle, and a hand-painted chocolate heart. Who can resist beautiful chocolates?

One of our favorite things to do on Christmas Eve is visit the resorts in Wailea and take a picture by one of the elaborate big Christmas trees. It’s so elegant at each resort and a Christmas Magic takes over. I love to see the lighting change from day to evening at the Grand Wailea. The Botero Lounge is filled with poinsettias and fine art sculptures abound. The circle marble bar under the Center Pagoda is a work of art in itself. The entire lobby is open to the sky except for the bar which has a ceiling of Al Fresco paintings. You could valet there and take a walk along the path by the sea to visit all of the resorts along the shore.

Next you’ll find the Four Seasons Wailea a boutique luxury five star hotel with fountains and gorgeous pool set above the sea. There’s Ferraros Italian Poolside restaurant and Duo, plus Spago.

Imagine hanging out at the Serenity pool by day then visiting the spa before dinner, drinks and a walk along the gorgeous sunset of Wailea, Maui.

It’s a tough job but you have to do it…

Winter on Maui can be unpredictable. Today the trades are gusty and 25-40 mile gusts at times. raindrops are predicted with partial sun partial clouds. It’s currently sunny and there’s moisture in the air up country. The winds are intermittent and it has a holiday feel to it. I’m getting in the mood for Christmas. Packages need to be sent out, blog posts to write, tours to country farms tomorrow and throughout the week. It’s exciting to share the beauty of Maui. Rain or shine it’s a fabulously diverse island rich in history and agricultural beauty. The Sugar Mill runs twenty four hours a day year round. We have the only working sugar mill in the state of Hawaii. What will happen when it goes? What will the next crops be? We will have a series of cottage farmers continuing to grow every day. What will you grow? What would you like to see? Some like Kula Country Farms are growing strawberries, pumpkins, kale, onions, cabbage, lettuce, herbs like basil, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Other grow orchids, citrus, avocado, edible flowers, Chinese Greens like Michael McCoy of Aina Lani farm and Farmer Richard Clark at O`o farms or ti leaves, cacao and tropical flowers. Some do amazing sprouts in small spaces like Vincent Mina of Kahanu Aina greens. Coffee is grown by at least one hundred farmers with two trees to three hundred trees and the MauiGrown Coffee farm has five hundred acres of coffee trees, the largest in the state.

Whatever you do on Maui, please make sure to visit the country and take in the agricultural beauty. We can personalize a tour for you to a variety of farms. You will enrich your life and enhance the experience that Maui has to offer. We are finding that people get so excited when they walk among the flowers and trees, and tromp through the perma culture of Piliani Kope Coffee Farm then on to the five hundred acres of MauiGrown Coffee. It’s a seasoned visitor that wants to learn more about the people and how we live. They want to know how things grow and see the products made locally.

We love to share  it with you. So enjoy the beauty, feel the breeze, soak up the sun and breathe the beautiful fresh air that gives a healing touch to the weary traveler and winter bones. Enjoy  enjoy enjoy….

And when you return to Maui over and over, get to know our island a little more intimately by visiting a farm and seeing history in the making as we change the color and landscape for the future of Hawaii with a patchwork of farms growing our own food in a climate that supports food growth year round. Support our local farmers and encourage someone to buy or lease land where they can practice growing something that will feed the population were Hawaiians survived for over a thousand years without outside intervention. They planted Taro and sweet potatoes, fished in the sea, ate freshwater shrimp from the streams and used the resources of the land carefully to sustain their food sources.

We need to plant now the seeds of thought for future generations what we could have right now. In perfect weather, a perfect place, let’s grow the food for the people of this state and set an example of sustainability.

Everyone plant your garden…

Visitors come enjoy the beauty of Hawaii and all the added value products that come from this land of sunshine.

Aloha for now, Marilyn

I’ve got to get into the garden and plant.

Call me to schedule a personalized tour of our beautiful island and share Maui’s Agricultural beauty.

808 283-9131