With everything going on in the world, there really is no place like home. Though we would rather be laying on the shores of Maui’s beautiful beaches, we are staying safe in our homes with our loved ones. Relying on dance, art, creativity, and music can definitely be the most relaxing way to get us through our day to day lives. In Hawai’i, this is no different than how most families are raised. 

In Hawaiian culture, music holds a special place in the hearts of the community. Growing up on Maui, there was always music playing at family gatherings, community celebrations, and in everyday life. Every song had history to it and would tell a story. Today, Hawaiians use music to honor the past, celebrate the culture, and pay homage to the ‘aina or

To live in Hawai’i means to eat as the locals do. If we had to choose one dish that is not only a staple but a rite of passage when you come to the island, it wouldn’t be at a 5-star luxury restaurant or even at any restaurant for that matter. The dish we would choose is served hot and ready at most run-down gas stations and small convenience stores. You might have guessed it, we’re talking about the delicious and infamous Spam Musubi.

If you grew up in Hawai’i you remember your mom stopping at the gas station before school on days you needed home lunch for a field trip, your teammates bringing them for after practice snacks, picking them up for every beach day, and buying in bulk for any family BBQ because let’s face it - it’s a crowd-pleaser for

Maui is known for its aloha and welcoming spirit throughout the community. But, in these uncertain times, our island needs aloha more than ever. Although it may be hard to physically be there for our loved ones and for one another, Maui has countless programs and donation sites set up to help you lend some aloha to those who are more vulnerable, less fortunate, or who need a helping hand. Whether it’s monetary donations, food supplies, running errands, or sharing this information with others, we all need to do our share for our beloved island.

1. Maui Food Bank

Maui Food Bank is supporting low-income families and kids who are struggling with their next meal. One of the programs they have implemented is grab-and-go meals for kids who won’t

Don’t miss a beat during this crazy and uneasy time by grabbing some of your favorite Maui takeout from local restaurants and small businesses. There’s a number of places that are waiting to get you the food you love while keeping you safe. Nothing says normal like kicking up your feet on a Saturday night with some of Maui’s best cuisines. We hope this list helps you keep your happy hours happy, your (virtual) weekend brunches in full swing, and family night dinners full of ono grinds. Check out these local spots and be sure to check their websites and social media for operating hours, takeout options, and special promotions going on. 

 1. Kalei’s Lunch Box Food Truck

Spread aloha by supporting this local food truck who is sponsoring a free meal

Truman Taoka has been a Hawai’i boy his whole life. Being born and raised on the island of Maui, he knows island life better than anyone. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Travel Management at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. With his passion for the island and expert knowledge in the field, Taoka brings his aloha to each client that he works with to provide the best for them and their families.

Taoka has been extraordinary when interacting with customers and tourists. Before joining our team, Taoka was a renowned events director with Hyatt Regency Maui Resorts & Spa. While with Hyatt Regency he was recognized with multiple Hy-Achiever awards and acknowledged as Manager of the year. We love the passion Truman puts into his work

Growing up on the sandy shores of South Maui, Jordan Smith is no stranger to the tropical landscape, beautiful neighborhoods, and ocean waves. 

Besides being a local boy at heart, Smith has extensive knowledge and experience in Maui development, from beginning to end, new and innovative marketing strategies, and a deep understanding of his trade. In 2019, Jordan lead the sales to successfully closing out 170 unit development of Kamalani, one of Kihei’s newest communities.

To learn more about Smith and his dedication to the island of Maui and how he uses his sincere character and enthusiasm to help his clients, we asked Smith a few questions to help us get to know him a little better and welcome him into our ohana. 

What's your favorite part

Nestled upon the slopes of Haleakala rests the prestigious Haku Baldwin Center, standing as a home for The Maui Horse Show Association and countless Maui equestrians over the past 25 years. Founded in 1989, MHSA is an outstanding resource in the community by allowing members to competitively and casually work with their horses for sport and recreation. 

The association is truly a hidden gem on the island. What started with a few members, is now a growing community on Maui! Run completely by volunteers, MHSA owes it all to the dedicated community that works hard so others may continue to take advantage of this precious resources. They work hard to ensure the highest level of welfare for all Maui horses and ponies. 

With such amazing

When you think of Maui, you think of swaying palm trees, an oasis of blue shorelines, and maybe a pina colada or two. You would never expect Maui to have a commercial livestock industry or a rich, paniolo (cowboy) heritage and lifestyle, but it’s true. The first cattle arrived in Hawaii in 1793 when Captain George Vancouver presented King Kamehameha with six cows and a bull. By the late 1800s, Maui began to see the first family-owned ranches and the birth of Mauiʻs cherished paniolo heritage and lifestyle in the cool, Upcountry Region of the island. Today, Haleakala Ranch and Ulupalakua Ranch are partners, providing cattle to the Maui Cattle Company brand which is now owned by Mahi Pono. 

1. Haleakala Ranch 

Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 US

Photo:Emy-Jo Ferguson

Welcome to Maui, where the palm trees are lush, the ocean is as blue as the sky above it, the waterfalls flow majestically and....the cowboys run free? 

Taking it back about 200 years, the history of “paniolos” (cowboys) runs deep on Maui. When King Kamehameha was first introduced to longhorns for his cattle, the booming world of beef trade, ranching, and rodeo took off. This became a significant moment for the history of Maui because of how passionately the island would make the world of western rodeo their own. 

Not many would expect the beautiful tropical paradise that is Maui to have such a booming community of young cowboys and cowgirls riding and roping throughout the slopes of Haleakala. But, within the lush trees and

Hotel spas, rushed souvenir shopping, and crowded hotel pools can sometimes take away from a deeper experience when visiting Maui. This is why we want to highlight one way you can get more out of your getaway in Hawai’i. Whether you are visiting or have lived here your entire life, Maui has a plethora of ways to learn and give back to the Hawaiian culture. One of these ways is donating your time and energy to ‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the revitalization of one of Maui's ancient Hawaiian fishponds. 

In ancient Hawai’i, loko i`a (fishponds) were used to make sure the community had enough to eat throughout the year. From the very first rock that was placed down, to the required daily maintenance