The slopes of Maui's sprawling volcano have long been carpeted with fields of swaying sugar cane, prickly pineapple, plump Kula strawberries, sweet onions and wildly colored tropical flowers. Now comes lavender, an aromatic herb that blooms in shades of purple and grows in the uplands along the skirt of Haleakala.
At Ali'i Kula Lavender, on Waipoli Road in Kula, more than 30 varieties of lavender are growing in a three-acre garden where walking, luncheon, tea and wreath-making tours are conducted throughout the week. The luncheon and tea tours feature menu items spiced with lavender. Stop in for lunch and watch chefs prepare lavender dishes while you wait. Tour reservations are necessary, but visitors can stop in anytime to enjoy the self-service area, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lavender, which is native to France, grows well in the cooler, drier air of Maui's upland. Known for its fresh-from-the-fields scent, lavender is used in lotions, candles, foods, perfumes and aromatherapy products. It is used to calm nerves, relieve stress, headaches and insomnia, to ease depression and uplift the spirit. More than 50 products have been developed by Ali'i Kula Lavender, including tea, coffee, sherbet, bath and body products, aromatherapy and specialty gifts and apparel.
