Joe knows you like stunning coastal and mountain views. He also knows you enjoy the cool mountain air on a hot Maui day. This highly recommended trip can be done in one to two hours , but seriously, you wont want to leave. Today we are heading upcountry to the town of Kula, where it’s always cooler. The best part of this trip is the cost of admission is only $3.00 per person, $2.00 if you are Kama’aina or active military!
WELCOME TO THE ALI’I KULA LAVENDER FARM
Nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Haleakala (House of the Sun) The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm sits on roughly 13.5 acres at an elevation of 4000 feet. It is home to about 55,000 lavender plants spanning 20 different varieties. While lavender is a summer bloomer, the farm manages to grow about 9 varieties year round. In addition to lavender, the farm also boasts olive trees, protea, hydrangea, citrus trees and even an apple orchard!
For a great view, a cute gift shop, lavender coffee or tea and lush lavender gardens, there is no better spot on the island
The Farm offers self guided walking tours, guided tours and private golf cart tours which opens up the farm to all ages. The gift shop has a small cafe and outdoor seating area, the perfect place to sip your lavender tea. Once you’ve soaked up the gorgeous views and finished of that delicious coffee, tea or kombucha, it’s time to explore the gardens!
About the Farm
The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm was started by Ali’i Chang who grew up on the windward side of Oahu, on a 20 acre farm in Kaneohe. Ali’i, was raised by his grandmother under the Hawaiian custom of hanai, where family members informally adopt children. Ali’i was the second of 16 children born to his mother.
Ali’i learned everything he knew about gardening and farming from his grandmother. In 1976 he opened Ali’i Gardens along the hana highway in Nahiku. This lush rain forest paradise was perfect for growing tropical ornamental flowers. By 1989, Ali’i was exporting his flowers all over the world but felt the business had grown too large, so that year he sold the business and purchased a protea farm in Kula. He chose lavender as his crop of choice due to several factors. The first was from a magazine article he read that named lavender 1989 herb of the year. the second was that unlike Nahiku, Kula was in a drought area, which turns out is great for lavender. Finally he was inspired to grow it because it requires no pesticides.
The Ali‘i Chang Foundation will be established to provide scholarships pursuing skills training in agriculture and for agricultural education in our local schools. Scholarship recipients should embody the very qualities Ali‘i possessed including a strong work ethic, as well as innate and natural skills in growing plants, flowers, trees and food crops. Applicants should also have an eye for design, a commitment to aloha, hospitality and “aloha āina” or “love for the land.” More information will be provided as the foundation is developed
Planning your day in Kula
Joe says there really is no bad time to visit the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. He does have some advise when it comes to planning your day in Kula! Joe likes to stop by the Upcountry Farmers market every Saturday morning in Pukalani. ( I will be sure to post a link on this amazing farmers market very soon)If the weather looks good, a drive up to Haleakala summit will definitely make the list. Don’t forget to pack the cooler to keep your farmers market treasures fresh. The ride to the summit will take roughly 40 minutes. Once at the summit, you can simply soak in the amazing views or take a hike down the sliding sands trail. If you are looking for a shorter hike, head back down the mountain to the Halemau’u trail head. This out and back hike will take you to one of the leading rims of the eroded crater of Haleakala. The trail also connects with sliding sands trail towards the summit for more ambitious hikers and campers. After our hike, we head over to the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. The Ali’i kula Lavender garden is just a quick 40 minute drive from the Halemau’u trail head. Don’t forget to roll down those windows as you drive through the eucalyptus forest, the fresh smells are both calming and rejuvenating.
