Ai Jinguji
<Profile>
After leaving a publishing company as a writer and coordinator, she went independent and moved to Maui in 2001. She currently promotes the charms of the neighboring islands, mainly in Maui County, through magazines, books, and the web. She is also the author of "Hawaiian Living: Purifying Your Mind and Body" and other publications. She currently writes a serial column for the Hawaii Tourism Board website.
Start your day with breakfast at Ali Kula Lavender Farm with a spectacular view!
Haleakala is a mountain that symbolizes Maui. Because the base of this mountain spreads out gently, Maui has a vast plateau compared to other Hawaiian islands. The Kula area, at an altitude of about 600 meters, has cool air, horses and cows grazing in the pastures, fields of Maui onions, Kula strawberries, and highland vegetables spread out, and a tranquil landscape can be seen. The Kula area, which is just a 20-30 minute drive from Kahului Airport, offers a different side of Maui.
Alii Kula Lavender Farm is located at a higher altitude than most other Kula farms, and is filled with over 40 varieties of lavender. The fresh air is filled with the scent of lavender, so just walking along the farm's paths will refresh your mind and body. Guided walking tours of the farm are very popular, as you can learn about the aromatherapy uses and benefits of lavender, as well as how to use lavender in cooking. In addition, the farm's original skincare items, which were created to soothe the skin of farm workers, have many long-time fans, and the gift shop selling these items is always bustling.
The charm of this farm is the great view of the Kula Plateau, which overlooks the west side of the island. Mornings on the plateau are especially special, and it's great to start your day on Maui with a hot homemade lavender scone topped with lavender lilikoi (passion fruit) jam and lavender honey at the cafe attached to the gift shop, along with lavender coffee and tea!
Enjoy a delicious lunch made with fresh vegetables from an organic farm run by a popular restaurant.
The bright sunlight and cool air of the highlands are not only comfortable for humans, but also for the vegetables and fruits. The delicious vegetables and fruits that grow here are in high demand not only in Maui's top restaurants, but all over the state of Hawaii.
Of the many farms, one that is particularly noteworthy is O'o Farm on the Kula Plateau. This farm specializes in growing the vegetables, fruits, and coffee used at Lahaina's popular restaurants Pacifico, I'o, and Feast at Lele. The vegetables and fruits grown at the request of the chefs are a little different from those sold at the market, and you can feel the care that goes into their work. O'o Farm is run using strict organic farming methods, including composting food waste from the restaurant kitchen. There is even an outdoor kitchen on the farm, and if you take part in the O'o Farm Tour & Lunch, the farm's dedicated chef will cook you lunch.
The tour offers interesting experiences, such as touring the farm with a guide who has extensive knowledge of cultivation and vegetables and fruits, seeing and tasting rare vegetables, fruits, and coffee, and harvesting several types of highland vegetables for your lunch salad.For lunch, you can enjoy freshly baked focaccia in the farm's oven by the farm's chef, dishes made with plenty of fresh vegetables, as well as coffee and dessert after the meal, all at a large wooden table in the shade of the trees.
Enjoying a lunch of freshly picked vegetables from the fields in front of you, prepared by a skilled chef, surrounded by fresh air, is sure to satisfy both your stomach and your heart.
Refresh yourself with freshly picked Kula strawberries! Enjoy a luxurious dinner while watching the sunset from the plateau
While you're at the Kula Plateau, you'll want to try the world-famous gourmet foods that grow there: Maui onions and Kula strawberries. You can't miss the opportunity to try Maui onions, which grow slowly in high-altitude fields and are thick and sweet enough to eat raw, and sweet and sour Kula strawberries, which can be harvested all year round thanks to the sunny, well-drained plateau and temperature.
The farm stand (concession stand) of Kula Country Farm, the number one producer of Maui onions and Kula strawberries, is the perfect place to take a break during a drive. The area around the stand is also known for being beautifully decorated according to the season, making it a great spot for taking photos. There is also a small hands-on farm for children where you can see vegetables, fruits, and flowers, and even touch small animals such as rabbits. You can take freshly picked Kula strawberries home with you, or have fun eating them at the farm's rest area.
Even if you buy a whole Maui onion, you may not have a chance to cook it during your trip. One idea is to stop by a restaurant for dinner that will cook Maui onions deliciously. At the restaurant of the long-established Kula Lodge in the Kula Plateau, juicy Maui onion soup and freshly baked pizza delivered directly to your table from the pizza oven are popular. If you can end your day with a sunset dinner at Kula Lodge, where you can enjoy a 180-degree view from the large windows, your trip to the highlands of Maui will surely become a lifelong memory.
Comment
The temperature on the Kula Plateau is 15 to 20 degrees, so you will need long-sleeved clothing. Also, it is useful to bring sneakers or other shoes when walking around. The Kula Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning, is a hot topic on the island for its fresh produce.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
