OUR HEADQUARTERS. AMAZING MAUI.
Allow us to share the true Hawaiian spirit by taking you through the enchantment of the island of Maui. We must start by going back in time…
The Hawaiian Islands are part of Polynesia but belong to the USA by annexing it via a joint resolution. Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, conformed by more than 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Islands are actually archipelagos, composed by volcanic islands built by hotspots. This fact gives our mountains a very deep and layered profile, creating a remote and majestic feel when you stare at them.
The Kingdom of Hawaii originated in 1795 with the unification of the independent islands of Hawai’i, O’ahu, Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i under one government. In 1810 the whole archipelago became unified when Kaua’i and Ni’ihau joined the Kingdom of Hawai’i voluntarily. From Maui you have a perfect view of Moloka’i and Lana’i, giving you a broader idea of the fascination with the islands’ history.
With the intent of safeguarding their culture, the Hawaiians had decided by 1848 that no land could be sold, only transferred to a lineal descendant land manager. To this day, many Hawaiians still follow this law, strengthening in a direct way their ‘Ohanas (families). One of the many values of the Hawaiians, ‘Ohana, the human circle of complete Aloha.
Eventually, American missionaries converted most of the natives to Christianity, and along with their children became a powerful elite into the mid-19th century, starting also to gain access to land.
The elites promoted the sugar industry in order to modernize Hawaii’s economy. Sugar cane is believed to have originated more than 10,000 years ago in New Guinea. From there, early human migrations spread the plant westward and eastward into Southeast Asia, India, and eastward to Polynesia. Polynesian settlers introduced sugar cane to Hawaii more than a thousand years ago. American capital set up a series of plantations after 1950, but few natives were willing to work on the sugar plantations and so recruiters fanned out across Asia and Europe. As a result, between 1850 and 1900 some 200,000 contract laborers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Portugal and elsewhere came to Hawaii under fixed contracts (usually 5 years). Many of the people brought in to help expand the sugar industry stayed, and there is where lies the cultural beauty of our islands.
Hawaii was complemented by a plethora of races interconnecting on daily bases. They embraced the Lōkahi, the value of teamwork: Collaboration and cooperation. Harmony and Unity. They also brought to the locals another ingredient to the recipe of mixed races.
The facial features of the natives were already immensely unique and mystical in some way. Atholl Anderson wrote that “the analysis of mtDNA (female) and Y chromosome (male) concluded that that the ancestors of Polynesian women came from Taiwan while those of Polynesian men came from New Guinea. Subsequently, it was found that 96% of Polynesian mtDNA has an Asian origin”. Which explains why they are so different from the Native Americans too.
Early in history, the Kingdom of Hawaii was governed from several locations including coastal towns on the islands of Hawai’i and Maui (Lahaina). It wasn’t until the reign of Kamehameha III that a capital was established in Honolulu on the Island of O’ahu.
The Lahaina town (or Lahaina Historic District) is where we decided to base our Hawaiian company. The focus of activity in our hometown is along Front Street, which dates back to the 1820s! One of the most meaningful landmarks is the exceptionally magnetic Banyan Tree. It was planted by William Owen Smith on April 24, 1873, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Christian missionaries (the same ones that introduced Hawaii to sugar cane). In 1795 before the unification of the islands, the town was conquered by Kamehameha the Great. Lahaina is part of our Pono, which is the value of integrity, of rightness and balance. The feeling of contentment when all is good and all is right. Our core value, Pono, is one of our motivations for all the products we share with you. We want you to feel connected to our island, the culture and its people through our products that reflect the rich and moral traditions of contemporary Hawaii. Values that are very much needed in societies all over the world.
The Island of Maui is the most diverse of the Hawaiian attractions. Between their first settlers, Haleakala volcano, the pineapple industry, amazing beaches, etc., is the best option to create your unforgettable experience. Vacation packages offered by many companies, hotels, and resorts will make all of completely worth the experience.
MORE TO LOVE
Maui is also one of the most famous islands for wedding destinations. Thousands of weddings a year happen on our beautiful island. Probably more than anywhere else in the whole wide world.
Being such a big attraction is an enormous responsibility, and we have to keep in mind that we share our homes with our families in the sea and on the ground. Our waters are home to thousands of creatures, and our land also nests species that are necessary to keep a healthy ecosystem.
E Como Mai, welcome. Your green footprint means everything to us. By the way, wouldn't it be completely original to include any of our products within the keepsakes? Or better yet, a gift certificate from our store...
