In the aftermath of the devastating Maui wildfires, our island has faced a profound impact. While some businesses in Lahaina were tragically reduced to ashes, we are compelled to shed light on and uplift all of Maui’s small businesses. These businesses hold a special place in our hearts; they are not only our team’s favorites but also cherished members of our community. Despite the physical damage inflicted upon many establishments, it is the economic toll on our small local business community that has begun to sting.
Yet, these are just a handful among all of the remarkable small businesses on the island that depend on our support. Even though some Maui small businesses may not have been physically affected by the fires, the economic repercussions are reverberating throughout our island community. Together, we can empower and rebuild, ensuring a brighter future for Maui! West Maui remains closed, but the rest of the island is open for all to enjoy and explore!
So, let’s share some of our team’s favorite small businesses for you to check out and enjoy on your next Maui vacation! Please do your best to support these businesses where you can!
Food + Restaurants
Located at the Azeka Shopping Center (Mauka side) in Kihei, Chef Generoso Sarmiento offers a culinary voyage of seasonal dishes. It has an inviting ambiance with a culturally varied menu from inspired flatbreads to Chicken Adobo, Couscous Panzo-nella, Acqua Pazza, and Moroccan Lamb Kebabs.
Open Tuesday-Saturday Evenings at 5:00 pm
A South Shore grill with a family-style ambiance and open-air terrace in Kihei. It features locally sourced ingredients and traditional island favorites recipes like Loco Moco and Acai Bowls. A great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with live music & nightly specials.
7 days a week 8 am – 9 pm
Happy Hour every day 3 pm – 6 pm
A mom-and-pop type of restaurant owned by Internationally recognized Chef Sheldon Simeon & his business partner & wife, Janice, in Kahului. A casual foodie gem for its local Hawaiian comfort food from Mochiko Chicken, Pork Belly, and Chicken Katsu. Chef Sheldon served hot meals to Lahaina right after the fires.
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Takeout Only. No reservations
A small but diverse organic farm on the slopes of Haleakala offering local produce and farm tours. They also offer coffee, breakfast, and lunch, all produced on the farm. Originally served its sister location, Pacific’o Restaurant in Lahaina, which burned down in the fire.
Make a reservation for a tour at reservations@oofarm.com or call 808-856-0141
A Wailuku restaurant serving authentic Carribean cuisine with Maui local flavors! Casual and lively ambiance with occasional live music. Some favorites on the menu are Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Dominican Slow Roast Pork, and Sweet Banana Empanada.
Tues – Friday Lunch 11 AM-2 PM
Tues – Thursday Dinner 5-11 PM
Friday Dinner 5 PM – 1 AM
Sat 4-11 PM
Closed Sun & Mon
A modern wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria and Italian eatery serving Pukalani and Upcountry, Maui. Serves Neopolitan sourdough pies and farm-to-table dishes from upcountry producers. Meatball En Sugo, Salsiccia Red Pie, and Cioppino are go-to favorites.
Open Monday – Saturday 7am – 2pm
Sunday 8am – 2pm
Dinner Daily from 4:30 – 9PM
The best sushi on the island! Family-run award-winning sushi restaurant serving the freshest fish on the island with specialty and traditional options. Their West Side location has been affected by the fires, but we continue to support and enjoy their yummy sushi at their Kihei location!
Open 7 days a week to dine in from 11:30am – 8:30pm
A casual local favorite for generously portioned post-beach and surf plates such as Fish Tacos, Grilled Mahi Mahi Plate, and Catch Of The Day. They were voted to have the “Best Fish Sandwich On Maui!” Originally based in Paia, its sister restaurant in Lahaina burned down, but we still support the Paia and Kihei locations!
Open daily
Ulupalauka Ranch Store & Grill
A sustainably run cattle ranch in Ulupalakua in upcountry Maui. This ranch is known for its venison, beef, and elk burgers. It has an old-time paniolo charm and has a cute country store with locally made goods and provisions.
Ranch Store Hours: 10am – 5pm Tue – Sun | Grill Hours: 11am – 4pm | Closed Mondays
Right across the street from The Ranch, enjoy Maui hand-crafted produced wine that reflects the distinct flavors and landscape of the island. Sip and savor the panoramic views during their regular wine tastings with light snacks. The Pineapple Wine is their signature!
Tasting Room Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM -5 PM
This is a Northshore grocery store and a local favorite on Baldwin Avenue in Paia. They have a great selection of organic produce, health foods and local products. It also serves prepared food to take on the go too! Definitely a Maui cult favorite.
Open Daily 8:00am – 8:30pm
A 100% vegan food truck and restaurant with two locations in Kihei and Kahului. They serve yummy vegan and organic food with aloha. A perfect spot for a plant-based to enjoy in the sunshine at their outdoor seating area.
Open Daily 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Delicious ocean/farm-to-table dining. They have served over 3,000 meals to the Lahaina Community since the fires and used their boats to take supplies in the most critical days after the fires.
A natural grocer, deli, and health food Maui small business in Kihei that serves delicious home-cooked food, sandwiches, and bowls to go. They also have a juice and coffee bar too!
Open Daily 8:00am to 8:00pm
A family-owned farm in Kula, upcountry Maui. They offer fresh organic produce that is all grown in Maui! Their fresh veggies and fruit are the best! They just opened their first store in Pukalani too.
Shop open daily 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Komoda Bakery
This historic upcountry treasure opened its doors in 1916. Komoda’s Bakery has been owned by the same family and survived two world wars. It’s an old-school establishment and famous for its cream puffs, malasadas, and stick donuts. They don’t have a website but can be found easily.
Open daily except Wednesday & Sundays: 7 AM – 1 PM
A Saturday morning is essential for locals and visitors alike. Everything is made and grown on Maui, and it’s a wonderful way to support Maui small businesses, local farmers, artisans, and makers. They also have several food and smoothie booths for takeaways.
Saturday mornings: 7 AM – 11 AM
Coffee Shops
A wonderful family-run coffee shop in Makawao by the sweetest couple. The husband’s parents lost their home in Lahaina. They serve delicious coffee, treats, and snacks.
Daily: 7:30 AM – 2 PM
Closed Sunday
Locally owned coffee company with three locations on the island serving 100% locally grown and roasted Maui coffee.
A unique and fantastic place to spot for a cup of coffee on your way to Iao Valley!
Hours: 7-5 M- Sat / 7-2 Sun
Activities & Things To Do
Photo: Sail Trilogy
Locally owned and operated sailing adventure excursions on Maui. They lost a catamaran in the fires but were one of the first boat companies to deliver supplies to Lahaina after the fires.
Limited tours available out of Ma’alaea due to fires
A botanical upcountry garden with native and tropical plants. It’s a lovely walk with daily tours and a gift shop.
Open Daily from 9 AM-4PM
A sprawling upcountry lavender farm with over 20 varieties growing on the property. It has beautiful garden walks, tours, a café, and gift shop. Enjoy the panoramic views with a fresh lavender scone and hot tea.
Open: Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat 10 AM – 4 PM
Closed: Tues, Wed, Thurs
Wailea-Makena’s exclusive catamaran charter offers amazing snorkel adventures, dinner cruises, and whale watch excursions. They have been bringing supplies to survivors on the West Side after the Lahaina fire.
Make a reservation: Call (808) 879-7218 or email reservations@kaikanani.com
A women-owned surf lesson company with lessons available all over the island. They are based in Kihei and waiting to resume on the West Side.
Locally owned award-winning zipline and eco-adventure company in Kula and Ka’anapali. They donate earnings to plant native trees every year.
Retail
Photo: The Emporium
Located in Makawao, a unique home goods store that features local makers, artists, books, cards, gifts, and other souvenirs. It lost its sister store, Hale Zen, in Lahaina.
A once Front Street gem selling beautiful local handmade jewelry using shells, pearls, black coral, and precious stones. Their iconic Front Street location of 20 years burned down in the fires. You can buy Kat’s island creations on her website.
One-stop shop in Wailea for bikinis, accessories, apparel, and gifts from island vendors.
A beautiful shop in Wailuku featuring local art, gifts, books, and clothing by artist Jackie Eitel.
A unique jewelry store inspired by the beauty of Maui. They had two locations; their Lahaina location burned down, but their Paia storefront still has jewelry made with aloha to treasure.
Wellness & Beauty
Located in Wailuku, they have been consistently voted “Maui’s Best Salon” by Maui Time Weekly. It’s woman owned with a large, talented beauty team. They offer an apprentice program for up and coming new stylists. Owner Adiel Sneary-Cline is also opening up her salon for displaced Lahaina stylists to serve their clientele.
A full serivice nail salon located in Wailea and offers mobile nail, skin, and massage services in Maui and Lanai. Pampering with a touch of aloha!
Kelly Honokaupu, an esthetician for 13 years is dedicated to providing holistic services that inspire divine self-love and beauty to the community. Her services include facials, waxing, healing sessions, lashes, brows and more.
Women owned mobile massage team offering deep tissue, lomilomi, Swedish, sports, hot stones and more.
Located in Wailuku, it offers massages, spa packages, waxing, and aromatherapy gifts in their cute shop on Market Street. Voted “Best Place for A Massage In Maui” in 2018 & 2019.
So even though West Maui is closed, the rest of Maui is open to explore and enjoy! Even though these are just a few of the team’s island picks, we stand strong with all the Maui small businesses island-wide.
Karma Hill is the owner of Karma Hill Photography, Simple Maui Wedding, Simple Oahu Wedding, and Simple Hawaii Wedding, marking a significant presence in the Hawaii wedding community since 2007. With a wealth of experience and a vast collection of informative posts on weddings and photography in Hawaii, Karma Hill offers unparalleled expertise. Explore the world of photography and wedding planning across Hawaii by visiting Karma's websites.
comments +