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

Welcome to Hawai’i, where palm trees and white sand are your runway to the surfing capital of the world. Surfing is as much a part of Hawaiian history as football is to American history. This is probably why you’ll come across a melting pot of eager surfers ready to make a splash in Hawaiian waters when they come to visit. Needless to say, being a part of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui’s surfing spots are in a league of their own.

1. Ho’okipa 

Haiku, Maui 

This little hidden gem is the perfect for spectators, surfers, and babies all year round! With a lookout that makes checking out the surf perfect for anyone driving by or planning their attack, this spot has optimal wave watching. This beach is more for experienced surfers but serves as a

Photo: Lori Steer

As West Maui’s largest gift and craft fair, this event is perfect for anyone looking to spend a beautiful
morning looking for Maui made gifts from over 50 talented local vendors.

Come celebrate every Sunday in Lahaina amongst the most beautiful treasures and views on the
island. Located in the Lahaina Gateway, Maui Gift and Craft Fair has a tremendous selection of fine
jewelry, art, food, and crafts

Find pieces from Footprints in the Sand, locally made jewelry by Creighton and Susan Sato, inspired
by the ocean and crafted with fine pearls. If you’re looking to brush up on your history, Story of
Hawaii Museum is the perfect place to find historical maps and prints that are the most beautiful
way to learn about the islands. If you are

With a diverse and colorful background, Roden makes a splash in every client situation with his ability to shine and bring people together. After graduating from the College of Business at Northern Arizona University, Roden moved to Germany where he was able to manage an international art company. 

Besides being able to strengthen his German and French, Roden has built a strong background in sales, contract negotiations, client relations on an international level. To learn more about this world traveler and sales extraordinaire, we asked Roden a few questions to help us get to know him a little better and welcome him into our ohana. 

What's your favorite part about living on Maui? 

JR: There are so many wonderful reasons to live on Maui that

With tons of beauty to marvel at and countless ways to encounter adventure, it can be a little intimidating when mapping out your visit to Maui. If you’ve been beating your head on what to include in your 2020 Maui bucket list, worry no more! Whether you’re a local or visitor, we’ve put together your in depth outline on what to make sure you hit before the year is up or before your trip is over! 

1. Poke from Tamura’s 

The best way to eat like a local is to try Tamura’s fresh and ready poke to go. Made with fresh and ono sashimi grade ahi picked up every morning. 

2. Experiencing a Haleakala sunrise 

A sunrise at Haleakala is like nothing else in this world. Meaning “House of the Sun”, Halekala is a dormant volcano that offers