Makawao - Olinda - Pi'iholo, Maui
The Olinda and Piʻiholo region sits on the high upland slopes of Haleakalā (roughly 2,000–4,000 ft elevation) above Makawao. This area is one of Maui’s most distinctive honey zones, shaped by cooler temperatures, frequent trade winds, eucalyptus windbreak forests, pastureland, small farms, and mixed orchard plantings.
Honey from this region is typically light to medium amber, highly aromatic, and balanced between floral, herbal, and mild fruit notes, reflecting its elevation and agricultural mosaic.
Character of Olinda - Pi'iholo Honey
Honey from this region is typically light to medium amber, aromatic, and well-balanced, reflecting a blend of upland agriculture and windbreak forestry.
Common tasting notes include eucalyptus herbal depth, silky oak floral brightness, avocado creaminess, and Christmas berry spice. Compared to lower elevations, this honey is generally cooler, more herbal, and less tropical-fruit forward, reflecting the higher elevation and cooler climate conditions.
In regional classification, Olinda–Piʻiholo honey represents a high-elevation Upcountry mosaic system, where forestry plantings, orchards, and seasonal invasive bloom cycles combine to create a stable yet nuanced honey profile.
Taste the Forest
Top Honey-Producing Plants of the Makawao - Olinda - Pi'iholo Region, Maui. Our bees are thriving on these sources of nourishment.
Eucalyptus
Scientific Name: Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus grandis, and related species
Common Name: Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is the dominant nectar foundation of Olinda–Piʻiholo. Large groves planted historically for forestry and windbreaks provide consistent and sometimes heavy nectar flows.
Bloom Season: Variable; often winter through summer depending on species.
Contribution to Honey:
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Primary nectar backbone of the region
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Produces medium amber honey
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Herbal, menthol-like, slightly medicinal flavor notes
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Can strongly define seasonal honey character
Ecological Notes:
Extensive eucalyptus stands are a defining feature of Olinda’s landscape and remain one of the most reliable honey resources in Upcountry Maui.
Avocado
Scientific Name: Persea americana
Common Name: Avocado
Avocado trees are widespread across homesteads and small farms in Olinda and Piʻiholo. Their heavy flowering provides both nectar and pollen critical for colony strength.
Bloom Season: Winter through spring.
Contribution to Honey:
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Reliable nectar and pollen source
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Produces smooth, light honey
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Soft buttery, floral, slightly fruity notes
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Supports early-season colony buildup
Ecological Notes:
Avocado contributes strongly to the cultivated “garden and orchard mosaic” that defines much of Upcountry Maui’s forage landscape.
Silky Oak
Scientific Name: Grevillea robusta
Common Name: Silky Oak
Silky Oak is a major supplemental nectar tree in Piʻiholo and surrounding Upcountry areas. Its striking orange flower clusters attract intense bee activity during bloom periods.
Bloom Season: Spring through early summer.
Contribution to Honey:
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Strong seasonal nectar source
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Produces light to medium amber honey
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Floral-spice aroma with warm sweetness
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Adds brightness and complexity to eucalyptus-dominant honey
Ecological Notes:
Commonly planted as a windbreak and shade tree, Silky Oak is especially important during spring nectar transitions.
Christmas Berry
Scientific Name: Schinus terebinthifolius
Common Name: Christmas Berry (Brazilian Pepper Tree)
Christmas Berry is found in windbreaks, disturbed edges, and lower gulch zones around Olinda and Piʻiholo. It provides an important cool-season nectar flow when fewer other plants are blooming.
Bloom Season: Fall through winter.
Contribution to Honey:
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Reliable seasonal nectar source
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Produces darker amber honey
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Spicy, slightly peppery floral complexity
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Helps sustain colonies during low-flower periods
Ecological Notes:
Although invasive, Christmas Berry has become an important stabilizing nectar source in many Upcountry Maui ecosystems.