Kemei and Steve Gold happily harvest, wash, pack and deliver some of the freshest, most colorful produce available in East Maui. Cabbage, choi, beans, uwala (sweet potato), daikon, eggplant and tomatoes, are just naming a fraction of the gorgeous produce grown and adored for by this “retired” farm couple.

The Golds began growing together in lower Nahiku, transporting produce to local grocers, before moving to Ka’elekū and starting their Hāna Highway roadside farm stand about 13 years ago. They were tired of moving product to the other side of the island, and aspired to create a stand that would not only provide farm fresh fruits and baked goods, but also feature Kemei’s artwork as well.

They started with fruits, some veggies, and cold drinks. Then Kemei began potting up some of the plants she loved: succulents, orchids, cactus, and veggie starts were soon available for locals and visitors in their farm nursery. Now, their orchard and gardens have expanded to encompass more than 75% of their farm.

“Hāna Farmers Market gave me the ability to do what i like to do, which is farming! I use to sell to Mana Foods, Down to Earth, and the hotel. Now, I just sell at the market. Without the market, we would have to change how we sustain ourselves. We went to the first market, and it looked like a cool thing to do. We joined the second market, and haven’t missed one since.” ~Steve Gold

Steve found his inspiration for farming from his grandfather. A farmer both in South Africa and Maine, he moved to New York and become a delicatessen around the Great Depression. At 20, Steve moved to California and began building on his own farm skills. Just one year later, he found Hawai’i and has called it home ever since. He’s raised three sons in Nahiku, watching them run around the garden eating as small children, and then beginning to flip compost and weed the garden by age 6. Matt, Nate and Eli are now all accomplished fisherman, sustaining and feeding families of their own.

Steve found he enjoyed working better for himself, and was happiest being outdoors. His favorite part of farming is the challenge of figuring out how to grow different plants. The Lychee, his current favorite, is producing more than 100 lbs. of fruit available at the market this week.

An accomplished potter, jewelry maker and clothing designer, Kemei always dreamed of having a home in the countryside with vegetable gardens and fruit trees. She began planting things after moving to Nahiku from China and is, for the most part, a self-taught gardener. She’s most excited about harvesting from her new flock of 75 quail. She raised them all during the pandemic, along with her 33 ‘chicken babies’ she incubated herself.

While the Golds are waiting a bit longer before reopening their roadside stand, you can find them weekly in their booth at the farmers market. They’ll be there with plenty of quail eggs, dried fruits, homemade jams, lychee and fresh-from-the-garden veggies.