Nestled on Mauna Kahālāwai on Maui is a hidden oasis.
Native Hawaiian plants like the a‘ali‘i, a shrub with small green leaves and burgundy flowers, grow in a forest among naio, a false sandalwood, and alehe‘e, a tree with delicate and fragrant white flowers. Nearby, kalo (taro) sprout from a lo‘i (an irrigated terrace, especially for taro) alongside tubers of ‘uala (sweet potato). This is Kipuka Olowalu, a reserve committed to reviving the native ecosystems and biodiversity of Maui’s Olowalu Valley, which stretches from the mountains to the 1,000-acre reef below.
Many cars pass Kipuka Olowalu on the drive to Lahaina—it’s above the famed Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop—but it’s likely very few of the people in them are aware of the area.
Like many natural sites and landmarks in Hawai‘i, Olowalu Valley has a fascinating history—and one that is still being unraveled. Olowalu is known for its reef and petroglyphs, but resources suggest it was once an area of refuge for those seeking sanctuary.