Farm-to-table: Farmers Markets & Good Eats
Maui’s climate, perfect for farmers, ranchers and the home gardener, has evolved into an island-wide farm-to-table culture. Most people are familiar with the fresh pineapple which was a global cash-crop grown in Hawaii. But have you ever tasted fresh cherimoya, dragon fruit, lichee, or ulu? Maui produces a wide range of tropical fruits and vegetables in addition to staples you’re familiar with, such as bananas and coffee. Our farmers markets are fun weekly events to shop and try new foods and products. The Upcountry Farmers Market, every Saturday morning in Kula, is the largest on the island and a great place to buy culinary herb starters and other plants for your home or garden. Farmers and purveyors bring their fresh-picked fruits and produce along with artesian crafters of delicious edibles from bowls to wraps, bakers and coffee roasters for shoppers to enjoy the best of Maui’s harvest. Farmers markets are held weekly from Hana and Haiku to the West Side, Central and South Maui. Tuesday mornings at Wailea Village, Oo’ka farms from Kula brings a large selection of organic fresh fruits and vegetables, joining local artesian purveyors where you can buy a fresh-cut coconut, hand-made flat breads, fresh Hawaiian fish, local honey, and fresh-squeezed juices.
Fresh island fish including Mahi-mahi, Ahi, and Ono have put Maui on the international culinary map. From Maui Tacos to fine dining at Mama’s Fish House and Ko Restaurant at the Fairmont Kea Lani, there are so many places to savor Maui’s fresh fish preparations. Did you know that Maui also produces fresh beef and venison? The Maui Cattle Company is a partnership of 6 ranches spanning over 60,000 acres of prime grazing land and their grass-fed, antibiotic-free beef from steaks to ground sirloin are also found in many grocery stores here. Maui Nui Venison produces sustainably sourced meat from Maui’s Axis deer and ships their product line directly to your door. Progressive chef’s create delicious cuisine throughout the island using local ingredients from 2-time Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon’s Tin Roof to Chef Marc McDowell’s SixtyTwo MarcKet in Wailuku. Just up for drinks and pupu’s? Try Monkey Pod Kitchen in Wailea, or catch a sunset at Bumbye Beach Bar at the Andaz. Whether you’re a great at-home grill master, or love dining out, Maui offers so many great fresh food choices!
Live Performance and the Arts on Maui
Hawaiian music is known and loved around the world. We enjoy slack key guitar, which originated when Hawaiian Panaiolo ‘cowboy’ style tunings evolved from Portuguese-Spanish guitar culture to the phenomenal ukulele styles of Jake Shimabakura and Taimane Gardner. Hula Halau’s perform at The Shops at Wailea, and The Maui Art & Cultural Center, where a great selection of entertainment and events happen throughout the year. The MACC is Maui’s largest performance center, offering contemporary, local, country, and rock concerts, plus comedy, theater, and dance performance. The outdoor courtyard opens up for unforgettable concerts under the stars and the smaller McCoy theater is a more intimate setting for performance, lecture and poetry. Several dance studios offer a variety of classes, and the Schafer Gallery hosts fine art shows including juried exhibits featuring Maui’s incredible array of talented artists and photographers who reside here. The MACC is home to the Maui Film Festival from late June to early July that showcases new Hawaiian films and original cinema. Known in the industry as the ‘Jewel Box Film Festival’, this fun event attracts movie fans and rising stars from all over.
Where to Shop + Goods & Services
All of Maui’s big box stores including Target, Office Max, Wholefoods and Costco are in Kahului. Doing some home or condo improvements? Check out Lowe’s hardware and Home Depot. Grab a coffee or lunch at a local food truck and head to the Queen Ka’ahumanu Mall to Macy’s, lots of boutique stores plus a movie mega-plex. Wailuku and Paia both have a selection of locally owned boutiques with clothing, surf shops, and local eateries. Kahului and Wailuku are home to several medical centers from Kaiser Permanente to the Maui Memorial Hospital, and lots of services from hair salons, law offices, banks and auto-centers to medical professionals and tech and shipping services. All within about a 15-minute drive from Kahului Airport.
The West side (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua), Upcountry (Makawao, Kulu, Ulupalakua, Haiku) and the South Shore (Kihei, Wailea), also have a selection of local shops, restaurants, and services. For a fun shopping experience, The Shops at Wailea and Whalers Village in Ka’anapali have designer boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Gucci) and jewelry stores (Tiffany, Rolex) mixed in with great lunch eateries like Tommy Bahama’s and the Hula Grill. Pair that with bodywork at one of Maui’s excellent spas for a relaxing day; A’wili Spa at the Andaz, and the Spa at Four Seasons both offer nice bodywork menus. For a locally owned experience try The Wailea Healing Center that has a covered outdoor lanai or Ho’omanu Spa located Upcountry in Makawao and created by native Hawaiian Jenna Iwalani Naluai to have an Ania Spa Ritual including authentic Lomi Lomi massage with medicinal native herbs. Visiting the Kula Lavender Farm is a great place to relax, walk the grounds and take in amazing panoramic views of Maui. Their product shop is filled with lavender body care and home products: a great place to shop! Drive further out to Ulupalakua, and there are more amazing island views to enjoy while having a glass of wine at Tedeschi Winery.
Curious to learn more about Maui’s lifestyle? Call us to connect anytime: We’ve grown up here and know first-hand all that Maui has to offer. We are here to represent you!