Produce Direct From the Land in Launiupoko
Wow! We have some of the freshest produce right here in our own back yard in West Maui! If you haven’t discovered the small farms in the agricultural subdivisions of Launiupoko, Malika, Puunoa, or Olowalu, located just south of Lahaina, you are in for a wonderful surprise.
I went to visit Maui Breeze Plantation’s five-acre farm in Makila. Follow the bright green signs leading up the Launiupoko hill and it will take you straight to this family-run farm. There is easy access into well-cared-for rows of fresh veggies ripe for the picking. John Whittle and his sister, Christy Kaster, will walk you through, picking out huge cucumbers, beautiful beautiful purple eggplants, bright peppers and beets fresh from the source. John even provides spontaneous cooking tips along the way. Maui Breeze Plantation is also a great source for landscaping plants at the most reasonable prices I’ve seen in a long time. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call them at 808-757-0678.
John Whittle, Co owner, Maui Breeze Plantation
Another gift from the `aina is Theo Morrison’s Neighborhood Farm. The quaint Neighborhood Farm produces fresh eggs, luscious fruits and crisp vegetables. A farm harvest list is e-mailed weekly with detai8ls about the crops that will be available that week. People on the list e-mail back their selections which are either delivered or picked up on site. There is no charge or obligation to be on the list. Delivery is available from Kapalua to Launiupoko. Email Theo at: thefarm@hawaii.rr.com.
The Neighborhood Farm is also building a farm stand at 65 Awaiku St. in Launiupoko which will be soon be open daily and offer fresh produce and eggs and serve as the staging site for order pickups.
I’m not “eggsaggerating,” fresh eggs are the best! Damon and Margo Gill of Hulukea Farms have 80 chickens that produce big brown eggs sure as the sun also rises. They can be reached at 808-661-3914 to place orders.
How about having your child’s next birthday party at Lahaina Animal Farm? The staff will arrange a hay ride and show off their St. Croix sheep, goats, horses, desert tortoises, ducks and chickens. Then off to a pony or horseback ride followed by a picnic lunch. The day culminates with an arts and crafts project the keiki can take home. You can also buy fresh eggs, herbs, papaya and bananas at the Farm. Contact Teresa Waters at 808-280-2597 for more information.
Perfect Site for a Picnic
These are just a few of the bountiful treasures available on the small acreage farms in Launiupoko and Makila. Let’s support our local neighbors and reward ourselves with delectable fresh produce grown right in our own backyards!
If you’d like to add your farm to the list or would like more information about any of the West Maui neighborhoods, please email Debbie Arakaki at DebArakaki@gmail.com or call 808-283-7214.
Debbie Arakaki is a West Maui Realtor. This article originally appeared in the Maui News and is being reprinted courtesy of the author.
