Maui Wowie

Written by Suzanne Smith
I have always loved the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii. The warmth of the locals, and the diverse landscapes as you travel around the islands is as colorful as a Hawaiian quilt.This year I returned to Maui...Known for its laid back party atmosphere, I wanted to see beyond the tourist stereotype and explore experiences with the flower growers and amazing designers and artist that live there. I wasn’t disappointed.I arrived in Late August to amazingly beautiful weather with gentle trade winds that saved us from the heat that can be sweltering at that time of year. Settling into my Condo by the ocean, I could have been content to while away the days on the lanai with a cold glass of POG (passion, orange guava juice) as I watched the green turtles play below in the bay.Instead, I headed out with camera and journal to explore the local art & Flower scene.Traveling to the little town of Paia I found that Mama’s Fish House was still the heavenly spot to have a great meal and see some of the rarest Lotus and fabulous arranged floral Designs on the island.I was hoping to meet the designer Misako in person, she is Mama’s Exclusive floral designer, and upon seeing her latest designs, I can see why they won’t share her with the universe. Her use of the local grown Lotus, orchids, Antheriums, Heliconia and foliage is glorious.Large salt ware vases fired by local Paia artists are filled with dozens of green Midori Antheriums and Stag horn fern. Mind blowing fire toned Heliconias that Pele would find inviting. Colors of Paradise in shades of Fuchsia and sunshine yellows, everywhere you turn at Mamas is another treasure of nature.Here I found the rare Blue Lotus. The arrangement was simple and elegant in a Ming inspired Vase. Simple gathered bouquets of lotus with amazingly long stems that beckoned you to come and admire them with their inner glow.As I marveled at their beauty, our Host told me to step around to the side garden and see another display. Here in a low cachepot bowl appeared the most fragrant Pink Lotus I had ever encountered. Everyone in my group was enveloped by the heavenly fragrance.I had to laugh as I visited the ladies room, even the TP had been adorned with fresh Ginger blossoms. It truly is a flower lovers Mecca...The food here is a work of art, and priced like a fine painting, but it’s a must for any foodies, with local grown produce and seafood that lists the local fisherman that brought in the catch. Dessert is a religious experience here, and the Black Pearl with its deep rich chocolate and Passion fruit sauce is worth breaking any diet for.After this amazing lunch, I headed to the heights of the island of Maui and visited the Haleakala Volcano. Driving from sea level to 10,023 feet you pass through rain forest to rolling hills of Norfolk Pine and eucalyptus, you find yourself passing through clouds, around wandering cows on the road, arriving at what looks like another planet.Rugged volcanic rock and vistas of the cinder cones below. And a single unique Plant that is truly a spectacle to see. The Silver Sword grows only on the slopes of this dormant volcano. Its silver sheen is like smooth frosted Aluminum foil. Spiked and pointing to the clouds it looks alien and fitting of the setting.The next day I would head to the misty valley of the Iao Needle. An ancient setting that has a fabled history of ancient battles that made the streams run red with warrior blood. The location has wild gingers in red, pinks and white stars. Large Monstera leaves cover the walking paths, and sexy pink heliconias can be spotted hanging along the stream banks with golden bamboo.As I walked into the setting I soon came upon a cliff side lookout and saw an amazing artist painting her vision of the valley and Iao needle. It was a colorful swirl with the sun radiating on a scene of lush foliage and flowers. The artist Liluushka a local of many years has a passion for the people and spirit of Hawaii. To see her perched amid the natural beauty adding dabs of paint with a relaxed intensity was a delight. You can see her work HERE . Liluushka is living the dream.A Luau? Having one member of our party on his first trip to Hawaii, we had to “do” a Luau at least once.The Old Lahania Luau is the most authentic of any I have attended over the years. Located on a sprawling ocean front setting. They have arrived at a nice mix of native culture and extravaganza with displays of crafts such as palm braiding, tiki carving and fish net weaving on display before the Imu pit is revealed with its rock cooked pig and banana leaf wrapped goodies as the sun sets over the bay.The Hula is performed in its true glory with great chants and storytelling by the best talented local dancers. The use of flowers is everywhere, from authentic Maile leaf wreaths and Ti skirts to the beautiful orchids and gingers placed in leis and hair ornaments. Every dish and dancer is flower accented. The smell of Plumeria is hypnotic.Our Hostess Rissi was a hoot, Local color at its best! I recommend that you ask for her table should you find yourself attending the old Lahaina Luau. Her jokes and generous Mai Tais and Pina Coladas made the evening fly by too quickly!Cowboys in Paradise. That is how you could describe the sleepy upcountry town of Makawao. Paniolo's are the Hawaiian version of the cowboy and the town is known for its 4th of July Rodeo, Fine art and spiritual nature.I would be meeting with a truly wonderful Lady who has a hidden gem of a flower shop in this tiny town. Judy Merten is the owner of Anuhea Flowers. Tucked in a small rustic row of shops, you enter down a garden path and into a small quaint shop filled with welcoming local art and color. A Huge urn of fresh Protea grown on Judy and her husband Bill’s Upcountry farm takes center stage. I am also greeted by a friendly feline “Big Blue” who wandered in one day and decided it looked like home, I couldn’t blame him!Judy shared her experiences with flowers on island and showed me her specialty, Beautiful fresh Protea wreaths which she ships all over the world. Her designs are rich in textures and amazing in color. Judy couldn’t wait to introduce me to a local artist that she is designing with for this coming Holiday season.Artist Deybra Fair is a colorful Maui local known for her unique interpretations of common items. Her vivid colors invoke the feel of the islands, and she is designing festive flower Pots of “Maui Magic” with Judy that will hold Holiday Protea bouquets for lucky clients. To see and order Judy’s gorgeous Protea flowers and wreaths please visit http://www.anuheaflowers.com/Judy invited me up to her family farm to see the Protea growing process. Hoping in my car and following her in her Jeep we wandered up into the Norfolk Pines and up a rather steep country drive to a beautiful restored upcountry farm house and the Anuhea Protea farm, Anuhea means “a gentle breeze that rises up through the fragrant trees”, and it wasn’t a disappointment. As we rounded the path we saw the official farm Greeter Jack the Dog bounding our way. Jack was rescued and lovingly cared for by Judy and her family after being found with shotgun pellets embedded in his legs and back. He is the protector of the Protea.The farm house is available for small retreats and weddings and my imagination was filled with images of a sunset wedding with white paper lanterns filling the sweeping branches of the trees, as guests sat on the covered porch sipping tropical drinks. The vista of the ocean sparkling below a sprawling countryside was perfection.Judy & Bill Merten took on the adventure of starting a Protea farm in the early 90’s and have been successful in producing some of the finest blooms available. From pin cushions and Minks to Kings. Fabulous foliage such as the scarlet hued Sunset Safari Leucodendron. Small banksias and tropical greenery round out the floral end. All lovingly and meticulously tended to by Bill and his team.Workers decked out in black plastic garbage bags and garden gloves were busy carefully processing the morning’s harvest. The gathering hut had buckets of gorgeous Protea in shades of reds, white and pink and pin cushions in oranges, yellows and that tropical tone that has to be seen in person to grasp its depth. I was wowed by the size and exceptional quality.Bill is a wealth of information on the exotic blooms and we had a great time walking the rows of bushes and trees discussing the growing process and propagation of species. As with any farming endeavor there is major concern that agriculture restrictions will limit the ability to stay organic. Maui growers have a strict set of rules that must be followed. One tiny ant in a shipment can mean the pulling of your export permit, literally shutting down a farm.Diversity can make or break a Maui farm, and Bill and Judy have added a cash crop of tender Asparagus to their mix. It is amazingly fresh and I was gifted with 2 bunches which we devoured that evening grilled with olive oil, Lime and sea salt with Italian Ham.I hated to see our visit end. And was thrilled when Judy and one of her crew, Nadia, handed me the most glorious bouquet of the fresh cut flowers to take back to my condo to enjoy.My time on Maui went by too quickly. It was a wonderful visit. I extend a BIG Mahalo (Thank You!) to everyone who shared their warm and welcoming Aloha spirit with me and my companions on our visit.