Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
above the wares. If you're walking down the street and looking for the store, you don't
even have to spot the sign—the smell of leather is noticeable from two storefronts down.
The collection of clanging wind chimes will announce your arrival at
Goodies
(3633
Baldwin Ave., 808/572-0288, 10am-6pm daily), an eccentric but genuinely artsy clothing
boutique that caters to the female crowd.
Check out the
Volcano Spice Company
(3623 Baldwin Ave., 808/575-7729,
www.volcanospicecompany.com
,
10am-5pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-3pm Sun.), a small shop
run by the owner and head chef, who creates handmade rubs and spices out of a kitchen
right on the property. There are a few crafts in the store, such as hand-turned wood bowls,
but the real stars of the show are the bottles of coffee barbecue rub and the original volcano
spice blend, which goes great on seared ahi.
PROTEA
Protea are large flowers that grow in a variety of colors from dark brown to brilliant
orange, bright yellow, and pale pink. Natural or hybridized, some have pincushion-
like heads, others have tops that resemble a bunch of wispy feathers, while others
look like bottlebrushes. Originally from South Africa, these beautiful flowers have
been grown on Maui since the mid-1960s and are now big business as the state's
showiest of flowers. Dozens of hybrids have been created for their long stems, col-
ors, or size and shape of petals. Kula and its environs at about 3,000-foot elevation
make a perfect place to grow protea, as they need sunny days, cool crisp nights, and
moderate, even temperatures that don't usually go above 80°F. Upcountry boasts
numerous protea growers, some with shops, many of whom ship.
Designing Wahine Emporium
(3640 Baldwin Ave., 808/573-0990, 10am-6pm Mon.-
Sat., 11am-5pm Sun.) offers everything from locally made crafts to children's clothing to
a few pieces of menswear—something rare here in Makawao.
Around the corner at Komoda Bakery is the tiny little enclave of
Little Tibet
(3682
Baldwin Ave., 808/573-2275, 10am-5pm Mon.-Sat.), where an array of ancient gemstones
and crystals from all across the world warrant a peek.
At the far end of the same building is
Jewels of the White Tara
(3682 Makawao Ave.,
808/573-5774, 10am-6pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-5pm Sun.), an obscure-sounding import store
that features home decor and clothing items from India, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and a
handful of other international venues.
