Adventures around Haiku..... good fun for the soul
Lots to enjoy, people to meet, and beautiful places and spaces to explore.
Haiku, Maui's small towne in the heart of the north shore and upcountry.
As we say, "We Love Haiku"
Plantation, Sugar and Pineapple History of Ha'iku
Sugar, the golden crop during the American Civil War :
The Hawaiian kingdom, under the guidance of Kamehameha II, experimented for several decades with sugar production, all prior to the missionary families entering the sugar agriculture business in the mid 1800's. Maui was dotted with several small mills, which have been lost in time, and to the newer stories talked of large scale sugar production. The Reverend Armstrong, the original land grant owner of this property, assisted the king in organizing small Hawaiian plantation growers.
The Haiku Sugar Company was chartered, by the Kingdom of Hawaii, on November 20, 1858. It was one of the first ten companies to go into the sugar business in the Hawaiian Islands. The first 12 acres of sugar were planted here in Haiku. The Ha' iku Sugar Mill processed sugarcane from 1861 to 1879, and the old ruins are still located just around the bend from our property. The mill was constructed by Douglas and not Baldwin as most seem to believe, sugar soon later became a Baldwin venture. The milling machine and boiling house was purchased for $12,000 US dollars, and it's first crop was processed in December 1861.
Alexander and Baldwin constructed an irrigation system from 1876 to 1878, which brought water from the wetter east side via a gravity flow system of ditches and flumes. Known as the Hamakua ditch , an amazing engineering marvel, it still provides the main irrigation and water system in use today. This ditch flows behind our property and into the main reservoir ponds which are located directly across the street, and are surrounded by pineapple fields.
Railroads
In 1881 the Kahului railroad allowed cane to be carried to larger mills and with the advent of pineapple production and the large Haiku cannery, it carried pineapple. A new train trestle needed to span the huge Maliko Gulch to reach Haiku and Pauwela Canneries. Another marvel of engineering and even today it's recognized by railroad historians and buffs as one of the most significant structures ever constructed by a US railroad. During WWII the trains carried troops and supplies to Camp Maui, a staging and training ground for our military heading to the South Pacific. Here is where our troops prepared and returned from fighting at Iwo Jima. The Haiku community welcomed and treated the soldiers as family. The railroad was disbanded in the late 1960s and remnants of the tracks are still here, running across the back of our property.
Pineapple, so much Pineapple!
Dwight Baldwin planted his first pineapple here in Ha?ikü in 1890. His brother predicted this juicy fruit would have a very bright future in Hawaii. The Ha?ikü Fruit & Packing Company, Inc. was opened a few blocks down from the old mill, and here is where the booming business of growing pineapple in Hawaii all started. The Reverend Armstrong, who had the original land grant 121 which included the property here at 555 Haiku Road, was also one of the founders of the company. Most of the fruit was grown here in Haiku, as the fruit company advanced many acres into production as well as canning for smaller growers upcountry. Many young women, including our Hawaiian Hanai mom, packed at this cannery for years. Go mom! She was in charge of crimping on the can lids and loves to talk story of those days.
Today, many of the old locations can be visited. still in Haiku
Giggle Hill: reported to be haunted and was a part of Camp Maui, received its name from the giggles of young girls meeting with the young military men.
4th Marine Division Memorial Park: picnic, playgrounds and ball fields in memory of our brave military from WWII
USO: The old Officer's USO is now a school located in the township of Haiku
Bank of Hawaii: The old bank is now a restaurant known for wonderful take out selections
Haiku Cannery: The center hub of the new Haiku, with town center & marketplace
Haiku Mill: Located just around the bend, and now a wedding and photography site
Hamakua Ditch and Ponds: Functioning daily with fresh water flowing to dry farmer fields and households
Haiku Plantation Inn: Once the old doctors home is now a lovely B&B
The area is scattered with remnants of military and plantation, and ranching days
Haiku: sleepy little towne with loads of cultural diversity
Activities The Studio Maui : Yoga, dance and spiritual/wellness Haiku Gym: Fitness Club
Restaurants: Hana Hous: Restaurant and Wine Bar Colleens: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Take out: Lynns: Local Food Veg out: Vegan Vegetarian Kombucha: Teas and raw foods
Wellness Centers The Studio Maui Haiku Chiropractic
Accommodations: Haiku Plantation Inn
Tours: Haiku Plantation Inn: House and Garden Tour Haleakala Bike Company : Bike down the crater with a summit tour
Shops: Haiku Style: Local Artists Thrift Shop: Support Maui's foster children programs
Markets: Haiku Market: Well stocked local style market Fukashima: Minute market and liquor store
Maui Gold Pineapple Lives On!
Bike the Crater
Boo Boo Zoo
Haiku's Water Lily Farm
Peahi, "Jaws", World Famous Surf Break Here in Haiku
Michael, a recent guest from Germany living his dream at Hookipa
Ever Wonder Where the World's Longest Surfboard Fence is Located? Well Haiku of Course
Ha´iku Plantation Inn: Maui's all Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast Inn 555 Haiku Road Haiku, Hi 96708 808-575-7500 email: haikuplantation@aol.com County Permit: BBPH2009/007
Haiku, Hi 96708