La'a Kea Community Farm

I've been feeling philanthropic lately, so in the vein of the Maui Food Bank, I want to share with you  a very unique venture called La'a Kea Community Farm.  Maui County's special needs population is around 3,500.  Hawaii's special needs employment rate is 5%, which when compared to the national average of 23% is quite appalling.  So what to do?  How do you help these people out?

Like a hui or a kibbutz, La'a Kea is a farm resting on 12 acres in upper Paia on Baldwin Ave.  I went yesterday and discussed at length with Moki, the Farm Manager.  Currently farming taro and bananas, with plans to plant an assortment of crops such as cacao, herbs, and sweet potatoes, the Farm is an idyllic setting where Hawaii's developmentally disabled adults (example - autistic), can work, live, and learn.  I saw the master plan blueprints and the site will include full-fledged housing lending to a college campus atmosphere.

How did I hear about this place?  An advertisement in the paper for the farm stand - the current "commercial" arm of the project.  It's really not a true commercial operation due to the non-profit nature of the organization as La'a Kea relies mostly on charitable contributions.  For example, Yellow Seed Bamboo donated 100 clumping bamboo plants that Moki stated will serve, in addition to the banana plants, as a natural perimeter windbreak around the vegetable beds. The roadside stand offers local, fresh, organic produce from the farm and other nearby farms at reasonable prices.  Another alternative for local fruits and veggies is a boon for locals and Maui agriculture.

In addition to Moki, I talked with a worker named Ian and a customer, Marilyn Hotta of Paia, let me shoot her.

For more info or to donate, please visit : http://laakea.org/


  

A fantastic location overlooking the North Shore - 12 acres!

Ian and Moki manning the stand

Practicing their shakas

Marilyn looking deliberate

Wailuku Eats

Wailuku is the government and business hub of Maui.  During a stroll at lunchtime, it is easy to find various office workers, medical personnel and government staff milling about and enjoying their lunch breaks.  Wailuku is probably the only place where you will consistently find people wearing long pants and even suit jackets.







If you want local flavor, Wailuku is the place to be.  My first stop is a Wailuku institution - The Little Giant of Happy Valley - Takamiya Market.

When I first moved to Maui, I told my friend who was living in Kihei to take me to a local place to eat.  He and his wife took me to Tommy Bahama in Wailea.  Hmm, that's about as local as Captain Cook.

In retrospect, I wish they would have led me to Takamiya.

Abutting Happy Valley, Takamiya Market exudes an utilitarian and no-nonsense yet relaxed vibe.  Once entering, I'm hit immediately with the smell of seafood and game.  This is truly a market.

If you really want to sample "local" food, this place will let you choose from a myriad of prepared cellophane wrapped dishes such as beef liver, turkey tail, booze cake, hoisin pork ribs, shrimp kimchee, ahi teriyaki, corned beef hash patties, and fried chicken gizzards, just to name a few.  Most, if not all the dishes - which remind me of Spanish tapas or Japanese bentos - are priced under $5.00.

In fact, there are so many dishes that I feel like I'm in candy store.  If there is an order to the mayhem, I can't tell.  The apparent haphazardness, at least to my untrained eye, is part of the appeal.

Before departing Wailuku town, I make a stop at Rumbold Sausage King across from Main Street Bistro and MAPA.  It was still early, so the lunch crowd hadn't arrived yet, but I couldn't resist the smell and ordered a grilled Polish sausage with onions, mustard and a guava juice.  

The operator - A.J. - declared that this is one of his several locations.  Just before I arrive, a local businessman ordered the same dog as me, which he wolfed down in literally 2 minutes.

The dogs here are not puny and skinny, they are juicy, plump, and reminiscent of succulent cuts of meat bursting with savory goodness.

For more Wailuku dining coverage, check out Wailuku Eats Part Deux.

Whole Foods has arrived on the Valley Isle

Today is the second official day Whole Foods has been open on Maui.  Now, I normally don't get all that excited when a new store opens, but since I do care about what goes in my body, it is nice to see another alternative to Mana, Down to Earth, and Alive and Well.

Upon entering, the first thing I thought was, "Oh my God, I'm back in Southern California!"  Love it or hate it, Whole Foods is open and judging from the amount of people in the store and the lack of parking, it seems they will stick around.  A huge plus for me is the VERY large prepared foods section where I can just pop in and get something to go.

The entire place seemed abuzz with energy and I even overheard two middle-aged ladies remarking that "this place will be the new social scene on Maui."  Hmm, that tells you how much of a social scene Maui actually has!

Prices seemed a bit high compared to Mana, and the feel of the place was more high-end gourmet with a healthy theme, but hey, I'm not exactly complaining.  Whole Foods will brighten up Maui Mall as well.
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/maui