A 20,000 acre land full of history.
Ulupalakua is often translated as “breadfruit ripened on the back.”
It originated from a legend that a Hawaiian chief would send his messengers to Hana, Maui for breadfruit. At the time, the messengers traveled by foot so by the time the chief receive the breadfruit it was already ripened.
In 1845-1883, part of Ulupalakua was a sugar mill (growing and producing sugar cane).
After the last sugar cane harvested in 1883 much of the 20000 acres of Ulupalakua became a working cattle ranch, which remains today. C Pardee Erdman purchased the property in 1993 and rename it Ulupalakua Ranch.
Taking Hwy37 is the most easiest way to access Ulupalakua. it is 5 miles from Keoka’s Thomson Road and our favorite place to buy banana bread, Grandma’s. 5 miles of scenic drive.
Before reaching Ulupalakua, you will see Sun Yat-Sen Park. It stands about 2400 ft above see level and the islands of Kaho’olawe and Molokini can be seen clearly. The park honors Dr. Sun Yat-Sen who served as the first provisional president when the Republic of China was founded in 1912. He is also as the “father of modern China.” Why a park named after him? The location was once a small Chinese community and Sun Yat-Sen’s brother lived nearby. Sun visited Maui many times. The park has a bronze statue of Yat-Sen along with a few other memorial statues and art.
You’ll know when you have arrived Ulupalakua. Ulupalakua is a tiny rural community. You immediately see the town’s post office and Ulupalakua Ranch general store. Oh a public phone stand, which are in most towns. Believe it or not it is working and being used by many. I am not allowed to be by the store as they have their own pet that watches the place. The ranch store has great local gifts and made to order sandwiches. My peeps favorite is the pulled pork bbq sandwich. ONO, delicious in Hawaiian.
On Ulupalakua you will see great distinguished trees particularly on the property of the Maui Winery. Unfortunately, Pakaʻa, the Hawaiian god of wind, did some damage on two ancient Cyprus trees. For many years, these trees had enhanced the entrance of Maui’s Winery (known as the Tedeschi Vineyards). Other trees were rotted inside and for safety reasons it was removed from the property. These trees were very significant as it is part of a “ring” planted almost 150 years ago which is known as the Hula Circle. The location of the trees is where King David Kalākaua, the last king of Hawaii, would sit and watch his hula dancers perform. In 1830 Hula was banned by Queen Kaʻahumanu but Kalākaua revived it. Kalākaua also wrote Hawaii Pono’i which is the state song of Hawaii. Also, King Kalākaua is known as “the Merrie Monarch,” because of his love of the simple pleasures in life.
One reason we visited the Maui Winery, was to see what happened to some of the 8-9 foot tree stumps. A local sculptor, Tim Garcia, was commissioned to preserve the stumps and turned it as a work of art. I was not able to go down (no dogs allowed) and see it closely but I can see it from the car and it’s Beautiful! The artist started in March and just recently finished it. Amazing!
The Maui’s Winery (Tedeshi Winery) is a popular visitor destination. It started in 1974, when the winery collaborated with Ulupalakua Ranch and began growing grapes.
The winery offer different kinds of wines made with grapes and of course with Maui pineapple.
They offer daily tours and tasting too.
As always, my mom took some photos of flowers on the premises.
If you visit Maui, HI, Ulupalakua is a town to definitely explore for its beauty and history.
Hope you enjoyed another edition of Sugar’s Golden Tours, Ulupalakua, Maui, HI
Visit my Golden Tours Page to check out previous posts.
Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR
