Old World Europe meets natural Hawaiian splendor at Haiku Mill

With its unmatched beauty and elegance, unique past, and lush, tropical location, Haiku Mill is unlike anything you have ever seen before.

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Like a trip back in time

Haiku Mill is steeped in over 150 years of history, with roots in the island’s once-prominent sugar industry, making it an important landmark site. Guests are treated to a breathtaking mix of French-inspired décor, vine-draped ruins, and spectacular flora. A stroll beneath the Mill’s archway is like a trip back in time.

Start your journey to an unforgettable experience at Haiku Mill today

Haiku Mill showcases the best of Maui, with a focus on its rich, storied past, a first-hand display of its present and a commitment to its future. From its botanically diverse property and spectacular gardens; to elegant displays of relics from days gone by; to stunning weddings and events; to interactive private dinners featuring innovative takes on locally-sourced ingredients; Haiku Mill is a must-visit for both residents and visitors.

Contact us today to inquire about hosting an unforgettable experience at Haiku Mill. We look forward to welcoming you, with warmest Aloha. Please note that all visits are by appointment only. Contact us today to book yours.
Haiku Mill's History
A vision of beauty, passion and love

On Maui’s north shore, nestled at the base of Upcountry and caressed by the refreshing trade winds, two acres of historic ruins and lush tropical gardens rise dramatically against a Hawaiian sky. The Haiku Sugar Mill, also known as Pua Le‘a (“blossoming passion” in Hawaiian), blends the stunning beauty of Hawaii with the Old World elegance of Europe.

Over the years, we have gathered inspiration, wonder and an impassioned spirit from the Mill’s rich past. Through age-old stories and land records, we have delighted in unearthing the history of this sacred ‘aina (“land” in Hawaiian), which has seen it all, from the working hands of the descendants of the missionaries in the 1700s to King Kamehameha III’s entrepreneurial spirit, which paved the way for sugar cane production on the island.

It is this past – together with the natural splendor of Maui and rustic beauty of Europe – which we endeavor to bring to life through our beautiful property.

But to understand where we are today, we must first revisit Haiku Mill’s history – one that began over 150 years ago.

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Establishing roots, sowing the seeds of innovation

In 1858, when the Haiku Sugar Company was chartered, construction began on the Mill as we know it. Five years later, upon its completion in 1861, the Mill processed its very first crop using the leading-edge technology of the time: a steam engine. This marked the beginning of nearly 20 years of successful sugar cane production in Haiku.

In 1879, after years as a hub of sugar production, the Mill was abandoned, left for over a century to gently decay into ruin. Vines and lush vegetation grew and covered the thick stone walls, providing a framework for the beautiful structure we see today. As Hawaiian monarchs in the past have shown us, the age of Kamehameha III was one of progress and innovation. The Mill was the first of its kind in Hawaii to use a steam engine to grind cane, thus modernizing the trade that prospered for two decades on Haiku’s soil. To recognize this important milestone, in 1986 the Haiku Sugar Mill was added to the distinguished National Register of Historic Places listings in Hawaii.

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Reviving the old property

Strolling beneath the archway of the Mill is like stepping back into a simpler time— one of breathtaking beauty, splendor, and pure romance. The open-sky cathedral and vine-draped ruins are rich in Hawaiian history and cultural preservation.
From this beautiful shell we felt Maui’s rich past, its natural aura, and a powerful spirituality emanating, all of which we were inspired to share with the world. And so, more than 20 years ago, with a fine attention to detail and respect for the historical land, we began an immense restoration effort to revive the true spirit of the Mill. We transformed the abandoned ruins from a decrepit, crumbling sugar factory into the blossoming hidden treasure it is today and renamed it the simpler, more poetic “Haiku Mill.”

In designing the space, we embraced the lush botanical surroundings. Nestled within the thick walls, dreams become reality amidst the quiet grace and elegance of Maui’s natural wonder. A cascading waterfall entices guests to the upper level of the Mill, revealing a panoramic view of the stone floor below. As night falls, the magic begins. A glass ceiling rests atop antique French cast-iron columns in the center of the building, opening up into the Hawaiian sky. A majestic French chandelier beautifully enhances the ambiance.

We are continually influenced by the unpretentious lifestyle of the south of France, where relaxed dinner parties centered on food, wine, and dear friends in a grand setting are the priority. Old World European elegance prevails within the quaint wooden sugar plantation worker’s quarters, known as the Cane House (a tribute to the Mill’s origins). The interiors are dressed in magnificent, one-of-a-kind treasures plucked straight from the flea markets of Paris. Over the years we have amassed a fantastic pastiche of French antique furnishings, weathered objects, lighting and architectural elements from our travels.

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Haiku Mill today

At Haiku Mill, what you see before you is the product of years of hard work, passion and dedication – a true labor of love. We hope you experience the essence of Old Hawaii, and appreciate the dreamy, opulent touches that we have lovingly added to bring the Mill to life. Our enduring commitment to love and beauty is ever evolving to create a priceless jewel on Maui. Experience the sacred beauty and timelessness of our Pua Le‘a, a well-kept secret for most of its years of existence.

We welcome you to Haiku Mill, our castle in the jungle, with Aloha and ho`okipa (hospitality).

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Meet Sylvia Hamilton-Kerr

Aloha friends,

Although I’ve never been entirely sure whether it’s a blessing or a character flaw, in my bones I love the irresistible combination of hospitality and beauty. As a child, I dreamed that I had a castle that was so enchantingly beautiful, that people’s spirits were lifted just by its existence. There was a quality to my yearning that included an innate knowledge that a surrounding of beauty both changes us and heals us. It was natural enough. It was what I saw my parents do every day of their lives. In the Canadian wilderness, they extended their gracious hospitality to vacationing families year after year. My mother kept the grounds impeccably beautiful and kept her homemade bread and delicious dinners coming. We all gathered at the huge table of wildflowers and polished silver at dusk. My father guided our guests into the wilderness for a magnificent experience of food, beauty and unforgettable discovery. He welcomed them as if they were long lost friends. Together, they created a romance in their lives that they shared with the families of their guests. They inspired me to live the life I now live in this lush Hawaiian oasis.

Growing up, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. At the age of 17, it came to me in a flash of inspiration. I wanted to be in the hotel business and, since that moment, hospitality has been my own love and passion. The body of work I have created here is comprised of romance, beauty and “Aloha”. Like my parents, the endless hours of work only energize me and inspire me to take it to the next level. Our team collaborates with each couple to create the next most beautiful experience they could ever imagine.

There is nothing more fulfilling than bringing your childhood dream to life. We have an amazing design team here at Haiku Mill and can’t wait to open up the paint box, lay-out the paper and begin layering the facets of your dream celebration.

Mahalo, Sylvia

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