Hala: The Hawaiian Aphrodisiac
When foraging for plants to kindle romance, the love-struck Hawaiian had no further to look than the distinctive Hala tree.
Living Calligraphy
In spring, mature akule (big-eyed scad) congregate in sheltered Hawaiian bays. Historically, Hawaiian villages posted lookouts to watch for whenever a big akule school came near shore.
Summer Stargazing
Take advantage of Maui’s warm summer nights by gazing up into the star speckled sky.
Sex and the Coral Polyp
Few people think of corals as animals — which they are — and fewer folks contemplate their sex lives! Yet coral spawns are magical events.
Cliff-dwelling Cabbages
From September to November, star-shaped blossoms emerge, releasing a marvelous perfume reminiscent of violets or honeysuckle.
Scented Souvenir
One of the sweetest Hawaiian traditions is the making and wearing of flower lei to celebrate people you love or places you’ve been.
Haleakalā Silverswords
Summer is the prime time to observe an only-on-Maui botanical phenomenon: the blooming of the Haleakalā silverswords.
Mālolo: the flying fish
Which Hawaiian animal can swim, “fly,” and “walk” on water? The humble mālolo, or flying fish.
Oh, Hello!
Deck the halls this season with Hawaiian ohelo berries, a sacred yet edible plant endemic to Hawaii. They are also a nice alternative to cranberries.
The Voice of the Ulili
The “wandering tattler spends the summer nesting near streams in the Alaskan tundra. When the weather starts to cool, the birds fly south to Hawai‘i.
Pua Kalo
The annual East Maui Taro Festival in Hana is the perfect opportunity to learn about—and taste—this delicacy.
Hawaiian Turmeric
Turmeric is prized around the world for its yellow color, bold flavor, and medicinal properties. When Polynesian voyagers first sailed to Hawai‘i, they brought the pungent herb with them.
Longboarding
Along the coast of Maui, few things sing summertime more than the wide, rolling southern swells dotted with longboarders.
The Right Stuff
Discover the endemic yellow mao blossom, its history, ancient and modern uses, and where to catch a glimpse of it right here on Maui.
Hurricane Season
Official hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June to November and August is by far the biggest month for these events.
Vegetable Vampire
kauna‘oa, a Native Hawaiian medicinal plant and the official flower of Lanai, is as beautiful as it is deadly, earning it the ominous reputation as a vampire plant.
A Fern by Any Other Name
Two attractive fern species in Hawai‘i share the name laua‘e. Both are beloved by lei makers and Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
Koli‘i: The RuPaul of the Rain Forest
The native lobelia, koli'i spreads an umbrella of pink blossoms in late summer.
We Give You the Raspberry
‘Akala, the native Hawaiian raspberry, is one of the native plants bringing life back to Poli Poli forest after last January’s devastating fire.
Persimmons
Known in Hawaii as kaki, persimmons were cultivated by Maui’s early Japanese farmers and continue to be harvested at a handful of family farms.
Fair Winds
Trade winds are the prevailing gusts that blow across the tropics. But here in Hawai‘i, they’re mostly known for delivering perfect weather.
Maui Events & News
Imua Family Services’ Will Smith Discovery Garden
A World of Pure Imagination
Story by Savy Janssen
Photographs by Jason Moore
Sunlight filtered through the outstretched arms of the 120-year-old monkey pod trees, and...
