Haiku Mill
Haiku Mill is a sugar refinery on Maui, Hawaii, now existing as ruins on approximately 1.9 acres of land along the eastern bank of Maliko Gulch. The structure features dark basalt stone walls framed with cut basalt bricks and blocks for door and window openings, with jungle vines and vegetation now covering much of the site.
The mill was built in 1861 as one of the first sugar refineries on Maui and was an early adopter of steam power for processing sugarcane. Operating for approximately 18 years, it closed around 1879 when sugar production shifted to central areas of the island.
The name Haiku comes from Hawaiian and refers to a break or split in the landscape, reflecting the site's location near a gulch. Today, visitors see the ruins as a tangible link to Maui's early agricultural past, connecting them to the workers and communities that shaped the island's economy during the sugar era.
The site is located on Maui's North Shore and is easily accessible from many parts of the island. Visitors must book a tour in advance to enter the grounds, and it is important to treat the ruins with respect by not removing stones or parts of the structures.
A distinctive feature is a mango tree over 100 years old on the property that produces approximately 1,000 mangoes each year and is decorated with white lights and a chandelier for events. This tree has become the focal point for weddings and special occasions, adding a living dimension to the historic site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
