Delicious, beautiful, fun way to Travel Pono in West Maui
My husband and I came in mid-late Dec '23 to enjoy the late afternoon farm tour and sunset. We returned the following week to souvenir shop.
In case you, like us, get shown a video from your airline advising you to "Travel Pono", be respectful and support Maui in these difficult times, here is a leisurely, fun and delicious way to do it. The hosts are super warm, hospitable, and knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour for school children, families, etc.
Instead of using their upscale land in the hills of Lahaina solely for private consumption, this family is exploring ways to care for land, support and hire locals, and teach visitors. All edible produce and crops are being given away to feed Maui residents who suffer from the recent fires. They also have a few local employees.
This is one of a few fun, family-run businesses still offering something beyond the super touristy retail in West Maui. It was a welcome break for us. We will definitely come back the next time we are in Maui.
Day 1 ~ Farm Tour - 2 hours
We arrived to an aloha welcome by friendly hosts who led us to some comfy couches under a shady, plant-covered trellis. While waiting for the other tour guests, we sat in the shade enjoying the gorgeous view and sipping a chilled fresh, cardamom tea that grows on the farm.
How do you grow way more edible food in two acres than anyone thinks should be possible and without pesticides, chemicals or fertilizers? We were excited to find out. One of our expert, articulate hosts led us on a leisurely walk through - apple banana, dragon fruit, passion fruit, papaya, sweet potatoes, greens, etc. Though it's a mango farm, it's so diverse that it looks like a miniature dwarf forest. Apparently, all the plants support each other, and are specially pruned for the space. They use farming methods from indigenous societies around the world, including traditional, old-world African, Indian, Native American, and Polynesian techniques. I finally understand all those buzz words my horticulture friends use: biodynamic, permaculture, sustainable, and agroforestry.
Following the tour, we returned to the comfy couches to watch the sun set and nosh on fruits harvested and/or prepared that day. Such a fun way to get to know the other guests, and learn about the local culture and plants!
Day 2 - Souvenir shopping the following week.
Full of large windows and natural light, the gift shop offers a beautiful, intimate boutique shopping experience, overlooking the ocean and grounds. Apparently, the farm is this family's second business aimed at sustainability and change. The first is their 20 year-old sustainable fashion and textiles business, also run on site, and featured alongside farm-themed products.
As a fashion student, I'm very picky about anything made from fabric because I know more about textiles than your average person. So I really appreciated that the clothing (dresses, nightgowns, beachwear, light scarves), home goods, towels, bedding - all designed by the host - are made from very high-quality natural textiles - hand-woven, hand-dyed, and some even hand-spun. The makers are paid-fairly and treated well.
Everything is beautiful, well-made and very reasonably-priced for the quality. Also available is a cool educational card game about plants. The dried apple bananas and pineapples are yummy and well-packaged for the plane. Highly recommended. read more