Russell Speck
President
Pleasure Island Incentives & Tours
Kihei, Hawaii
What are three great ways for groups to enjoy Upcountry Maui?
President
Pleasure Island Incentives & Tours
Kihei, Hawaii
What are three great ways for groups to enjoy Upcountry Maui?
- O’o Farm Tour: There’s a new upcountry tour of O’o Farm, a sustainable farm
(www.oofarm.com) that grows all the produce for two Lahaina restaurants: I’o and Pacifico. They do a little walk-through explaining what is what, and then one of their fancy chefs prepares a meal with all the freshly picked produce. The location is beautiful and they have managed to keep a rustic feel to the place. The outdoor kitchen is impressive.
- Haleakala Crater Bike Tour: You already know this one—biking down the volcano, 38 miles downhill with 400 yards of pedaling. Where else can you do that? Guests see an amazing sunrise over the world’s largest dormant volcano. And prior to that, they see the stars atop Haleakala Crater, which is also spectacular. We have put a few thousand guests on this tour, and they love it. Some come back and do it again, which is really something considering they have to get up at 3 a.m. and freeze to death at the top! The views are fantastic on the way down, and since you are on a bike, you can smell the eucalyptus trees.
- Sugar House: Bev Gannon, one of the originators of Hawaiian regional cuisine/Hawaiian fusion, has a place called the Sugar House that is terrific for upcountry events. She also owns Hailemaile General Store Restaurant.