Honua'ula, Mohopilo, Maui

In the Honuaʻula–Mohopilo area of South Maui (the dry leeward slopes between Kīhei, Kanaio, and the southern flank of Haleakalā), the dominant honey plants are quite different from those in wetter parts of Maui. The region is largely dryland shrubland, kiawe woodland, pasture, and remnant native dry forest.

Character of Mohopilo Honey

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

More common upslope than at the coast, but bees from Honuaʻula apiaries can forage several miles into eucalyptus plantings and windbreaks. Eucalyptus contributes significantly to winter honey flows on Maui.

Bloom Season: Variable; often winter through summer depending on species.

Contribution to Honey:

Primary nectar backbone of the region
Produces medium amber honey
Herbal, menthol-like, slightly medicinal flavor notes
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:

Reliable nectar and pollen source
Produces smooth, light honey
Soft buttery, floral, slightly fruity notes
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:

Strong seasonal nectar source
Produces light to medium amber honey
Floral-spice aroma with warm sweetness
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:

Reliable seasonal nectar source
Produces darker amber honey
Spicy, slightly peppery floral complexity
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.