One of the last things you'd expect a person to do in an area regularly stricken by drought conditions is start a farm. But that's exactly what Ali'i Chang did on his 13.5 acres in Kula on the slopes of Haleakala. Years of dry weather have prompted Maui County officials to impose mandatory and voluntary water restrictions over the years, but Chang found what he felt is the perfect crop for Upcountry Maui's perennial dry weather. Read more here.

Upcountry Maui's Sweet-Smelling Secret by Chris Schmicker

Maui's balmy beaches and bustling seaside resorts are old hat for most repeat visitors. Upcountry Maui, however, reveals unexpected (and lesser-known) charms like Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, a homegrown Hawaiian idyll high up on the slopes of Maui's tallest mountain. Read more here.

The color of Lavender by Karen Samelson.

Ah, Maui. The name conjures up memories of the lunar-like volcano, soft sand beaches, shy green sea turtles, umbrella accented mai tais and a fragrant lavender farm.
Lavender?
Indeed, Ali’i Kula Lavender, a lush 10-acre farm where low clumps of
gray-green leaves sprout spikes of lavender-colored flowers, hides in
the clouds on the slopes of the volcano Haleakala. “It’s intoxicating, Read more here.

Lee Kogler and daughter Tanya Kogler of Honolulu spent a lovely Mother’s Day at Kula Ali‘i Lavender Farm. Approximately 85 attended the event which included beautiful Upcountry vistas, heirloom portraits by Grins 2 Go, lavender scones and tea, lunch by Chefs Scott Olival and Jahlel Hunter of Cloud Nine Café & Catering, a lavender tour, a flower arranging demonstration by James “Kimo” Lum and sachet-making. The Hawaiian musical renditions of Emma Veary of Pukalani, posing here with Queen Mother of the Red Hat Society, Leslie Granat, set the tone for the elegant event. Read more here.

Annual SBA Awards recognize Maui County’s small business leaders.

Fifty four years after a young mechanic named Frank Namio Makimoto borrowed money from relatives to purchase a service station, Frank’s son and daughter-in-law, Alvin and Cindy Makimoto, carry on the work that he started, operating the only surviving service station in the center of Wailuku Town. Read more here.

HAWAI`I SEALS OF QUALITY PROGRAM LAUNCHES Uses Branding Strategy to Distinguish Hawai`i Agricultural Products

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) kicked off its Seals of Quality program today at a noontime event at Washington Place.  The program establishes a statewide branding program to protect the integrity and value of Hawai`i agricultural and value added processed products. The familiar “Hawai`i” logo, which is promoted extensively by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, has been incorporated into the brand identity... Read the rest of the article here.

The Maui County Farm Bureau plans to make the program to bring attention to agriculture an annual event, and eventually to bring many more than a few dozen Maui schoolchildren out for a taste of what farming involves... Read the rest of the article here.

GET YOUR MANA ON IN MAUI
BY LYNN PARAMORE
Do you have Mana? Yes, you do, travel girl! Mana is your mystic mojo, otherwise known as your aloha spirit. It's palpable. It's real. Mana is the divine energy that flows through your heart and soul - a treasured gift from the gods that give you the power to love, to succeed and yes to hula dance. The root of the word "mana" signifies maternal power - the magical moon-spirit lurking in all of us... Read the full article here.