Eat, drink and zip line
Never been inland on Maui? It’s time you visited, to take in the history and scenery
This beloved Hawaiian island is known for its iconic destinations, from the famous resorts of Kaanapali Beach to the picturesque Road to Hana. But there’s a historic plantation in the lush yet lesser-known Waikapu Valley that offers unique new experiences all in one place.
Twenty miles east of Lahaina — yes, inland — Maui Tropical Plantation was once a hub for the island’s sugar cane production. Today, it’s still a vibrant, working plantation, home to 60 acres of Kumu Farms organic produce and hundreds of native and tropical plants. It’s also a new destination for fine dining, shopping and eco-adventure.
Here’s how to spend a perfect day exploring Maui Tropical Plantation.
DRINK: Mill House Roasting Co. & Cafe
The pour-over and pressed coffees ($2.50-$3) made in this full-service coffeehouse come from beans that are grown on the property and roasted in small batches inside the charming, converted red barn. Mill House Roasting also offers espresso drinks ($3-$4.75), nitro cold brew ($5) and kombucha on tap ($6-$7.75). Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
PLAY: Tropical Tram Tour
The bright green tram takes you through the private grounds of the Maui Tropical Plantation. Tours run every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Tickets ($20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12) are available at the nut roasting kiosk or inside the Country Store.
EAT: The Mill House
Executive chef Jeff Scheer — Maui Magazine’s 2015 ‘Aipono Award winner for best chef — helms the kitchen at this micro-seasonal fine dining restaurant, where the majority of ingredients are grown or raised yards from your table. enjoy stunning taro leaf risotto ($8) or fresh, tender ceviche ($16).
IF YOU GO
Maui Tropical Plantation is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 1670 Honoapi’ilani Highway in Waikapu. Admission is free and you can take a self-guided walking tour by downloading the free Guidebook App via Apple or Android, which contains information about the plantation’s history, plants and wildlife. You can also find the guidebook at www. mauitropicalplantation.com.
Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations: www. millhousemaui.com.
SHOP: Soley Aloha Boutique & Gallery
Soley Aloha shares
its message of love and “ohana,” or family, via whimsically designed apparel and accessories for men, women and children. We loved the flowy racerback tank tops and bright mesh baseball caps emblazoned with Soley’s signature geometric aloha logo. Open from 10:30 a.m. daily; soleyaloha.com.
PLAY: Maui Zipline
Soar above the scenic plantation on this kidfriendly tandem zip line, which overlooks the tropical gardens and lush valley isle. You’ll get a bird’seye view of the Haleakala volcano, West Maui Mountains and the rugged coastline, while guides share facts about Maui’s unique
flora and fauna. The five zip lines, which range from 300 to 900 feet, are suitable for ages 5 and older. $110; www. mauizipline.com.
Feeling more extreme? Book with Flyin Hawaiian Zipline, which offers eight zip lines stretching 250 to 3,600 feet across the West Maui Mountains. $185; flyinhawaiianzipline.com.
SHOP: Kumu Farms
Kumu Farms cultivates more than 35 organic crops on the plantation, from winter savory and apple bananas to its famous non-GMO SunRise papayas, which are so tasty you’ll want to ship a few home to the mainland. In addition to fresh produce, the stand sells locally produced