Ten Must Do’s on Maui

What’s your favorite thing to do on Maui? I can think of about ten different wonderful must do activities on Maui. The first thing that comes to mind is visiting the farms Up-Country with Maui Country Farm Tours, of course because we love to share Maui’s Agricultural Beauty. Even if you live on Maui you might see the land through new eyes and a whole new perspective. Some people have never been driven around in a tour van. It’s so much fun to take a scenic cruise with big picture windows to enjoy the view and not worry about the driving. We love to take care of you and provide a fun, informative tour with plenty of stops for photographs along the way. With families visiting during the holidays, this is a wonderful way to get a group of seven together for a great experience on Maui.

The Lavender Farm is changing constantly with different light and flowers in bloom. When Lavender is finished blooming in the summer the Proteas come into bloom. There’s always some type of color. The view at 4,000 foot elevation is absolutely stunning. My guests yesterday were so surprised by the breathtaking beauty of Maui.

We love to sit and linger while having lavender tea and scones overlooking Maui so you get a real feel for the place and how many beautiful species of flowers and plants are growing here.

Maui’s Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch is where we love to stay and have a picnic under one hundred and fifty year old trees planted by Captain James Makee in 1846 when it was called Rose Ranch. It is a step back in time. We stroll the grounds talking about the history of the land and previous owners and ramble into the history room for an overview of the Winery and the photographs of the last hundred and fifty years.

The current owners since 1963 Pardee Erdman and his son Sumner partnered with Emil Tedeschi to create Hawaii’s first winery.

You’ll taste four different wines and have the chance to purchase several varieties. There’s also amazing gifts from local artists and chocolates made in Hawaii.

That’s two of my favorite places so far.

The next is Kula Country Farms situated on the Kula Highway overlooking all of West Maui too. The one hundred and eighty acres of land is where they grow strawberries, pumpkins, flowers, corn and vegetables like kale, lettuce, string beans, cabbage, onions and whatever is in season. Its always changing. They sell their produce and other locally grown products like honey, lilikoi jellies, strawberry syrups, Portuguese Sweet breads, tropical flowers and scented Tuber Rose stems. It’s fun to see the little ponies and chickens and children’s raised beds, then look down to sheep in the distance and goats too. My guest commented “How rich the soil looks here on Maui.” Yes the volcanic soil is very rich in nutrients and the cool nights in Kula are wonderful for crops like onions and lettuce, cabbage and corn. They thrive in the moist chilly air.

The fourth “must see” is Surfing Goat Dairy. Right now the does are giving birth to a multitude of babies. Just last weekend they counted twenty seven newborns. As you wind down Oma`opio Road from beautiful Kula you feel the land change to rustic rural farming and see many crops on either side of the road. This is the home of Kula Onions.

Number Five is Is Iao Valley where you’ll find tropical rain forests just above old Wailuku town. It’s wonderful to think you could de-stress on a lunch hour by driving up into the valley to see the famous Needle.

Its a short journey full of beauty. History tells us of royalty hidden deep within the valley. Steep, jagged mountains lush with greenery beckon us into the mountains. When it rains there are many waterfalls and the stream can rise so always be aware of the weather and surroundings. Never underestimate the water. Maui Photowalks made their first event here in Iao.

Beautiful photography moments are everywhere in the islands, especially for those who are enthralled by moving water and green plant life.

Number six is Ho`okipa where we take people on our all day tours.We love to start our journey by doing what locals do and how we might start out on a Sunday drive to the country. We check out the surf at Ho`okipa. See the windsurfing, surfers and magnificent view of the ocean.

Number seven is My favorite Hawaii State Park, Wai`anapanapa in Hana, Maui. This is where we love to go camping the most. It is wild and beautiful. You can venture through ancient Lau Hala forests and hear the surf all night as you sleep. You might get a good Hana rain pounding on your roof. You’ll see the black sand beach and walk the cliffs on the King’s trail. Native plants of ancient Hawaii cling to the lava down to the sea. Be sure to make your reservation at the DLNR for a cabin. The prices have increased to $60.00 per night for local residents and $90.00 per night for others.

Bring all your comforts with you as it is pretty bare, but the redwood cabins make a nice shelter from the storm. We take our comforters, sleeping bags, champagne glasses, linens, and all our food and silverware. There are the basic essentials provided like can opener, knives, pots, pan, bowls, dishes, towels and sheets but we like to have our own to make it beautiful.

You can cook on the grill outside or a two burner hotplate and there are full size refrigerators. I cook on all of the above, sometimes doing my Vietnamese Pho inside while other meals like shrimp kabobs, or pancakes and bacon on our camp stove simultaneously. I love to cook and I take pride in being able to do it anywhere with basic supplies.We bring rice, pastas, oil & vinegars, soy sauce, sugar, milk, 1/2 & half or evaporated milk in cans, cereals, sauces, and go to Hana Fresh for awesome vegetables in town.

Number eight must be The Seven Sacred Pools past Hana. It’s a gorgeous spot to take pictures but please do not jump off the bridge. Just enjoy the beauty.

Number nine: While you’re out there in Hana you should have the Ono Farms experience. You’ll need a reservation to visit this wonderful organic farm experience. Call Chuck and Lily to schedule your tour. They have bananas, papaya trees, cacao, and many varieties of exotic fruits. Tours are Monday through Friday and run about ninety minutes.

Number ten: Haleakala Crater. Go for sunrise or take the opportunity of a lifetime to hike inside the crater and spend a couple nights in the cabins with no electricity, mingle with the endangered Nenes, feel the earth, and touch the beauty of Maui.

I’ve got many more must do’s on Maui, so that will be more to come. The West side has so much to offer like Piliani Kope Coffee farm, Ka`anapali Coffee Estates and The MauiGrown Coffee store, The Dragonfruit Farm, Honokowai Valley

So when on Maui, do enjoy all the agricultural beauty it Hawaii has to offer. You can visit most on your own and if you’d like to be escorted by experienced locals to many beautiful farms and rainforests, please call us to personalize a tour for you.

Check out our tours link at the top of the page or call anytime for information. I’ll be happy to tell you all about us. 808 283-9131

Aloha, everyone.

~ Marilyn

Tagged as: alii kula lavender, Haleakala, hana, kula country farms, Maui Country Farm Tours, Maui's Winery, MauiGrown coffee, Ono farms, Piliani Kope, Proteas, Wai`anapanapa