We at Kupa’a farms are passionate about growing, providing and enjoying delicious organic produce that is abundant in nutrition and flavor.
Soil is the heart of all agricultural operations. We do our best to keep our soil alive and healthy and work hard to limit the amount of erosion through the use of regenerative agricultural techniques. Daily practices include the use of mulch, compost, compost tea, cover crops, perennial vegetative barriers and by avoiding bare soil fallow.
Our 6 acre family farm, located at 1900 feet elevation on the slopes of Haleakalā, on the island of Maui. We grow a wide range of organic vegetables, fruits and award winning coffee – all through the use of sustainable regenerative agricultural methods.
Since 2003, owners Gerry Ross & Janet Simpson have been malama ka ‘aina (caring for the land). With Gerry’s PhD in Earth Science & thirst for knowledge, he has been amending and transforming dirt devoid of life into healthy, microbial-diverse soil thanks to his home-made compost & compost tea. Janet, with her knowledge of coffee, has helped make Kupa’a Farms a State-wide award winning coffee producer.
Our 6 acre farm, located at 1900′ elevation on the slopes of Haleakala, Maui, grows a wide range of organic vegetables, fruits and award winning coffee.
In Hawaiian, Kupa’a means “to make firm”. The name was chosen to reflect the solid, life-giving practices that we use to grow our food.
Canadian born with coffee in her blood, Janet’s story began in Calgary, Alberta in 1990. Together with her twin sister Judy, they opened Cochrane Coffee Traders – a coffee roasting company 15 miles outside Calgary in the town of Cochrane. Within a year, the thriving coffee company transformed into a bustling cafe for locals and cowboys looking for lattes and espresso.
While Janet was busy with the cafe, Gerry, an American-born geologist living in Cochrane, was hard at work with the Geological Survey of Canada. On weekends, he would cycle regularly in multicolor lycra tights, finishing his rides with a “Banana Buzz” (banana, ice cream, and double shot of espresso) from Janet’s cafe. It wasn’t long before the two fell in love.
In the summer of 1997, Janet’s parents, who already lived and owned the asparagus & corn farm on Maui, came to visit Gerry & Janet in Cochrane. During this visit they noticed a ‘for sale’ ad for a coffee farm in Kona on Janet & Gerry’s fridge. After further inquiry, they learned it was a dream of Janet & Gerry’s to escape the -40 degree winters and start a coffee farm. Later that evening, their dream was born when Janet’s parents offered the venturesome couple to move to Maui and make Kupa’a Farms their own.
In 1998, on one of their annual trips to the Island, Janet & Gerry planted their first coffee trees. In 2002 Janet & Judy sold their booming coffee company and by summer of 2003, Janet & Gerry left their busy city lives – bound for Kupa’a Farms.
Your farm adventure begins far before you reach the extraordinary Kupa’a Farm. Whether you are traveling from the West side (Kapalua, Kaanapali, or Lahaina); South side (Makena, Wailea or Kihei); Haiku, Paia, Makawao or Kula, make sure to look all around you and take in all the many agricultural splendors, flora and fauna, animals grazing on the hillsides and all kinds of birds from the nene (Hawaii’s state bird) to pueo (Hawaiian owl) in the air. Don’t forget to count the rogue chickens everywhere! You also may will see a mongoose or two.
Once you’re climbing in elevation on the Kula Highway, you’ll see the many changes on the hillsides especially when spring comes about and the Jacaranda trees are in full exploding, vibrant, purple bloom. There is no other scenery more beautiful than this on the whole planet. Artists from all over the world come to capture this particular splendor of mother nature. On a clear day you’ll see the observatory glistening at the top of Haleakala. You also see the spectacular bi-coastal view….Kihei to Kahului/Wailuku and more at a glance!
You will see goats, cows, horses, and sheep on your Kula Highway journey to mile marker 13. Now you are at 1,900 feet in elevation. Your right turn on Naalae Road takes you down a “no outlet” road, and with every turn you pass family farm after family farm until you find your last right to the really big adventure…Kupa’a Farm.
You cruise up a dirt driveway, taking another right where you are greeted by a giant inukshuk (iˈno͝okˌSHo͝ok)…you have to come on the farm tour to find out what that is!
Park in the shade of the kiawe trees intertwined with lilikoi vines, and soak in the awe of awesomeness. Meandering dragon fruit succulents, pomegranate bushes, clumping bamboo around the gazebo where you meet your farm guide Ann.
Ann will enthusiastically share her vast amount of knowledge of the farm as well as all of her aloha. What a treat you are in for!
The heart of the farm lies down below where it is well protected from storms by the canopy of the koa and kukui nut trees.
There are a plethora of veggies you will see, and, of course they aren’t available year round…still trying to figure out nature on demand! Some of the delectable vegetables and fruits will include:
The list goes on and on, as at Kupa’a farm they are always experimenting with what may grow at 1,900 feet