Category: Maui Life

Is Island Hopping in Hawai’i Worth It?

Map of the Hawaiian Islands.

This Blog is for you if: If you have never been to the Hawaiian Islands, the most remote landmass in the world. Maybe you have only been to one island (Maui?) each and every time you have come. Even if you have been to 2 or even 3 of the islands, you should still read… Read more »

Upcountry Maui – Mom and Pop’s are Alive

Green pastures and trees in Maui with ocean view.

We definitely cannot leave our upcountry adventures without talking story* about a few Mom and Pop enterprises still thriving today.  Some have been here for over 100 years. As Hawai’i became less of a subsistence, agrarian-based society and more westernized, small stores began to pop up.  This was long before anything like the “big box”… Read more »

Fun on the Way to the Top – Upcountry Maui’s Winery

Maui Winery bottles on shelves.

Upcountry Maui.  Maui’s very own description for a way of life. Many upcountry folks on the island of Maui refer to themselves as mountain people. This term usually comes up when being asked about going to the beach. “Oh, no, I’m a mountain person. Why go to the beach when I can see the ocean all… Read more »

Fun on the Way to the Top – Upcountry Maui

We have chatted often about the remarkable area of Maui known as Upcountry; an area far from town, with a varied and rich history. We told a tale of cowboys, ranching, and an improbable winery, MauiWine located in ‘Ulupalakua. Today, we go off the beaten path, to some more of Maui’s unknown gems hidden away… Read more »

A Little Fruit With a Big Story – The Uses of Guava in Hawai’i

Guava juice with a yellow plumeria

Many years ago, I remember hearing people talk about one tropical fruit they experienced when visiting Hawai’i. That fruit was the guava. People found these remarkable fruits everywhere – on hiking trails, along roads, in pastures, and throughout all the state and national parks. Some guava were small, sweet, and red, while others were yellow… Read more »

Celebrating Over 130 Years of Japanese Bon Dance in Hawai’i

Bon Odori, AKA Bon Dance, originally from Japan, has been a Hawaiian tradition for over 130 years. Bon Odori is a style of folk dance performed at festivals in Japan during the Obon season. Deeply important and influential in Japanese culture, Obon is as important as other cultures’ New Years celebrations.  The Obon season in… Read more »

64 Years – Join in the Paniolo Fun!

Pāʻū riders in an old photo.

Everyone loves a parade! We have heard that saying for ages. When it comes to parades, people on Maui are no different. Especially the residents of Makawao town, where local people have gathered for the last 64 years to participate in a four-day event, the colorful July 4th Paniolo* Parade and Rodeo!  The town spends… Read more »