I’ve really been missing Maui lately and Facebook hasn’t been helping with all my memories. My time there was brief but it left a lasting impact. The biggest was that it was where my babies were born. I wish I could take them back there. But also because many of its beautiful locations became my happy places.
One of my favorite places on the island is Ali’i Kula Lavender. Before I lived on Maui I wasn’t really a fan of lavender, but after visiting this farm it’s become a favorite. I love the color and the aesthetic as well as how it attracts such an amazing diversity of bees. I could spend all day photographing each plant from all the different angles.
Ali’i Kula Lavender is located on the slopes of Haleakala in the Maui Upcountry near Kula. As expected, there are lavender fields, but there is also a large, beautiful garden of other flowers and pathways. From the garden, there is a view overlooking the town of Kihei out to the ocean beyond. My favorite activity was to just wander the gardens taking photos. Of course, I’d always check out the shop with the lavender flavored treats.
Jackson’s Chameleons
The garden is also home to Jackson’s chameleons (Chamaeleo jacksonii). These pretty cool looking creatures are actually invasive in Hawai’i. Introduced in the 1970s through the pet trade, they have become established on the islands of Maui, O’ahu, and Hawai’i. They are native to Kenya and Tanzania. For more information about Jackson’s chameleons in Hawai’i check out: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/jacksons-chameleon/.
My Photography
I had the opportunity to take photography classes at the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center with the amazing Aubrey Hord while I was living in Maui. Visiting the gardens at Ali’i Kula Lavender gave me the perfect opportunity to practice the skills I had learned. The lavender was especially perfect for working on my composition skills. This practice resulted in one of my photos getting accepted in on the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center’s gallery showing. It still hangs proudly on my wall today.
