"Dining is such an important part of the visitor experience and Maui offers a bounty of local products - from land and ocean - for visitors to enjoy," explains Terryl Vend, executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau.
"From the tables of our world-class restaurants, to our treasured hole-in-the-wall eateries and the bins of our local grocery stores, agriculture, cuisine and true Hawaiian hospitality converge on Maui to produce one of the most memorable visitor experiences anywhere."
I visit the island of Maui at least once every year and make a point to visit several of the farms and farmers markets scattered across the island.
Maui Swap Meet
The Maui Swap Meet is a great place to get an overview of the many different agricultural products that are grown on Maui. Whether you're looking for fruit or vegetables, flowers or baked goods, you'll find some of everything at the Maui Swap Meet.Held every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to noon, the Maui Swap meet is held on South Puunene Ave. next to the Kahului Post Office.
Aloha Friday Farmers Market
The Aloha Friday Farmers Market is held every Friday from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. on the campus lawn and inside the Paina Building of the Maui Community College across from the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on West Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului.
The Aloha Friday Farmers Market was launched by the newly formed Maui AgMarketing Coalition. The market was started to bring local produce to local people and visitors. Many farmers can't compete with off-island growers because of the high cost of production and land on Maui.
Here you'll find fresh Maui produce sold directly by many of Maui's best farmers. The produce here is fresher than you'll find anywhere else on Maui. Much of it has been harvested that very morning. Among those who have participated so far in 2005 are Alii Kula Lavender, Hana Tropicals, Makawao Mushrooms, the Maui Flower Growers Association, Maui Jams & Jellies, Maui Pineapple Co., Maui Upcountry James & Jellies, Olowalunui Hydroponic Tomato Farm, Surfing Goat Dairy and Sweet Kula Farms.
To find out more and view some photos of the farmers markets on Maui and some of the great ag-tourism offerings, check out our feature on Flea Markets (Swap Meets), Farmers Markets and Craft Fairs on Maui.
Upcountry Maui
For many visitors Maui will always be known for its resorts, fine beaches, snorkeling and whale watching, Haleakala, and the Road to Hana. Maui is much more, however, and a great way to see some of the other Maui is to drive through Upcountry.The drive starts at the North Shore town of Pā'ia, continues through the paniolo town of Makawao, to Kula known for its flowers, vegetables and ranches and ends at 'Ulapalakua where you can have eat fresh Maui beef for lunch while sipping a glass of Maui wine.
To find out more about the great ag-tourism offerings of Upcountry Maui and view some photos, check out our Driving Tour of Upcountry Maui.
