Our drive on the Road to Hana was interrupted as we came upon a roadside stand that advertised coffee, fruits and veggies. We had been in the car for about two hours, so nothing sounded better than sliced pineapple or a fresh brewed cup of Maui-grown coffee. (Hawaii is, in fact, the only U.S. state that grows coffee.) The Laulima Farm Fruit Stand serves up fresh selections of smoothies and teas consisting of natural ingredients such as lemongrass, coconut and sugarcane.
To power the blender used to make our tasty and refreshing Papaya Dream Smoothies, Shane’s dad, a cycling enthusiast, was nominated to ride the built-in bike in the room. With solar-powered electronics and organic agriculture, Laulima Farm prides itself on 100 percent sustainable farming. For those who work on the farm, you eat what you grow, live where you work, and pop-a-squat behind any tree of your liking when nature calls.
This farm is one of many organic farms in Hawaii that hire “wanderers” to grow and sell their produce and other crops to the public on Maui. The barista behind the counter inside informed us that she gave up her life on the mainland to come to Maui to live and work on the farm in return for peace and quite. She’s completely removed from reality, and that’s exactly how she likes it she explained. She’s paid minimum wage, has no bills, no cell phone or car, and for the most part, lives a life that produces little to no waste.
If you venture beyond the luxury resorts and pristine beach in Wailea, this is a different kind of Hawaii you’ll find. Perhaps this lifestyle is a little far-fetched for some like myself, but stumbling upon this farm was a reminder of the treasures that lie off the beaten path
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