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Location
Ulupalakua is past Kula continuing south on Kula Highway.
Information & History
The 20,000 - acre tract
that is 'Ulupalakua Ranch has a full history. Tiny, rural
communities, rolling green pastureland, great distinguished
trees, majestic mountain vistas, sublime seascapes below.
You will see it all on the road to Tedeschi Vineyards. And
when you arrive, you will feel the history of the place.
The name of the area - 'Ulupalakua - is most often
translated as "breadfruit ripened on the back." Legend has
it that an ancient Hawaiian chief would send his messengers
to Hana for breadfruit. By the time they resumed, on foot of
course, their precious cargo would have ripened. But much of
Hawaiian history is sketchy, at best. The reason is a
practical one. Until the missionaries arrived, Hawaiian was
exclusively a spoken language and therefore, the Hawaiian
historical traditional is an oral one. According to one of
Maui's most respected cultural authorities, Hokulani Holt -
Padilla, the commonly accepted meaning of 'Ulupalakua
probably is correct "because a nearby ahupua'a or land
division is called Ka'ono'ula or 'the desire for
breadfruit."
1845 - King Kamehameha III leases Honua'ula - an
approximately 2000 acre portion of the great district we
know as 'Ulupalakua - to L. L. Torbert for the purpose of
growing and processing sugar cane.
1856 - Captain James Makee acquires the "Torbert Plantation
at Honua'ula" which includes the land, sugar mill,
buildings, implements, and more than 1600 head of livestock.
The Captain moves to Maui and names his new home "Rose
Ranch" after his wife Catherine's favorite flower, Maui's
Lokelani Rose. The ranch quickly becomes one of Maui's
showplaces - famed for its hospitality as well as its
agricultural prowess.
1874 - King Kalakaua and his Queen Kapi'olani visit Rose
Ranch. The King becomes so frequent a visitor, a cottage is
built for him on the property. Known for good reason as
Hawai'i's "Merrie Monarch," the King's poker games, and his
taste for champagne, are legendary. His cottage still stands
and is currently our tasting room.
1879 - Captain James Makee dies.
1883 - The last sugar crop is processed at 'Ulupalakua Mill
and the area becomes a working cattle ranch. Much of its
20,000 acres remains such to this day.
1963 - After having changed hands several times during the preceding eight
decades, current owner C. Pardee Erdman purchases the
property and names it "'Ulupalakua Ranch."
1974 - Tedeschi Vineyards is established.
Links:
Maui Map
Upcountry Maui Museums & Landmarks
Upcountry Maui Hiking & Camping
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