Photo by Janine, Wikipedia. 

Coconut french toast, banana pancakes, seared ahi benedicts — oh my!

Maui’s farm-to-table chefs make brunch an art, all while redefining what it means to celebrate and source local ingredients. And lucky for those who live on Maui, being a locavore not only helps protect the ‘aina and support local farmers — it’s great for your taste buds, too. 

So before you hit the beach this weekend, head to one of our favorite local brunch spots: 

Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop | Olowalu

Nestled in the tiny town of Olowalu on the way to Lahaina, Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. They serve up all sorts of sweet pies ranging from apple crumb to Olowalu lime, along with other decadent

475 Manawai Place, Haiku

Island Sotheby’s International Realty agent Debra Merle R(B) was eating lunch with a client who had recently sold an expansive estate in Kula with two homes on it, to instead replace it with a beautiful, yet significantly smaller home. After lunch, the client turned to Merle and said, “Last night, I was lying in bed with the biggest smile on my face.” 

“I am so happy that it almost scares me,” the client continued. “I feel like I’m finally where I belong.”  

It meant so much to Merle to hear that. Like many real estate agents across the nation, she’s met with a growing number of clients who are looking to swap their multi-acre estates with significantly smaller - and simpler - places to call home. 

From Florida

Twisting along Maui’s rural northwest coastline, Kahekili Highway is truly a road less traveled, even on an island that attracts roughly 3 million visitors each year. The road carves into rugged cliffs and lush valleys, winding past waterfalls, hiking trails and panoramic views that sweep from the sea to summit of Haleakala. 

Stop at farm stands to buy fresh produce, flowers and some of Maui’s best banana bread, or gaze upon verdant pastures of grazing cattle. And if you follow the road just 15 minutes down past Wailuku, you’ll find a different slice of paradise: Hale Wainui.

Situated on 51 acres of pristine acreage, Hale Wainui is the epitome of luxury island living. Built with only the finest furnishings and craftsmanship, the

Hawaiian legend goes that the demigod Maui, after whom our island is named, was determined to capture the sun to slow it down so his mother could have enough light in the day to dry her kapa cloth. So one night, Maui journeyed to the peak of Haleakalā to wait for the sun to rise. As it began to illuminate the sky that morning, he lassoed the sun, convincing it to slow its descent for part of the year to make the day last longer. 

Today, millions of Maui residents and visitors have made the same trek the summit of the dormant volcano, waiting for the sun as it rises over the crater. Towering over the island of Maui, Haleakalā, meaning the "house of the sun,” offers one of the ecologically diverse landscapes in the world and one of the state’s most

Every magical thing about Maui that you’ve heard is true: You’ll find lush rainforests, rushing waterfalls and pristine, white-sand beaches, all within the island’s 727 square miles.

And better yet, you can experience all of those ecological treasures within a half dozen spots on island — Maui’s six state parks. From the redwood forests at Polipoli to crisp rivers running through 'Iao Valley, the island’s designated state parks offer gateways into world of exploration, natural beauty and a glimpse into the history of the Hawaiian people.

Makena State Park 

Spanning 165 acres of pristine Maui shoreline, the Makena State Park is perhaps Maui’s most popular state park, attracting thousands of locals and visitors alike. It’s divided into two

Photo: Amity Mason Photography

Whether you’re into hula or hard rock — or both — there’s always something happening on Maui. And this September, there are lots of festivals and events to choose from. We've narrowed down a few of our favorites:

Pailolo Challenge

Sept. 14 — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

This weekend, watch as elite paddlers from across the globe descend to Maui for one of the state’s most celebrated canoe races: the Pailolo Challenge. Spanning all the way from DT Fleming Beach in Kapalua to Kaunakakai, Moloka’i, teams of six paddlers come as far as Australia and Canada to test themselves against challenging channel crossing conditions.

The race spans 26 miles across the Pailolo Channel, notorious or being one of the windiest and