Maui

Smokestack Lightning & a French Kiss in Lahaina

I was going to title this “Recycling, Lahaina Restoration Foundation, and MauiGrown Coffee,” and although more informative, it just didn’t convey the same excitement. I left mention of recycling out, even though it is the impetus for the whole blog.

You know Howlin Wolf, don’t you?

The sweet rewards of my recycling efforts – MauiGrown’s French Kiss Coffee

On my recycling voyages here on West Maui, I need to go two places – unfortunately no one-stop recycling on Maui.

First, the Olowalu Recycling & Refuse Convenience Center (I do not understand the “Convenience” aspect, as it closes at 2:30pm, but I digress), which takes all of my plastics and bi-metals. Stuff that I would prefer not end up in our large hole in the ground in the middle of the island – The Central Landfill in Puunene.

Next, I stop by the HI-5 Recycling center in Lahaina, which takes all the HI-5 cans, glass, and plastic bottles that a 5-cent deposit is paid at local stores.

Then the fun starts.

After taking my princely payout, I head right next door to trade it for some delicious local coffee at MauiGrown Coffee. Helping the ‘aina, supporting a local business, and I get to feel very good about my day! And a bonus today – a little railroad and agricultural history – the Pioneer Mill Company Plantation Era Exhibit is right here as well. Just look for the smokestack.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking, but I also encourage you to take an hour to stop by and check out the work the Lahaina Restoration Foundation has done with the old smokestack leftover from Lahaina‘s agricultural days, learn a little, and get some of the best coffee on the island!

If you also happen to drop off some recycling next door and keep some rubbish out of our landfill, I’ll really be impressed and I’ll definitely help you buy a property on Maui.