Haiku Mill
Your wedding venue is one of the most important decisions in your wedding planning journey. It provides the backdrop to your entire event and often plays a key role in figuring out style and decor.
As a photographer, your wedding venue is a huge inspiration to me. I am always seeking the best lighting and looking for a variety of settings to capture all the emotions of such a special day.
Having a wedding in Hawaii already sets the tone of being in paradise. The island of Maui is the perfect combination of beautiful nature, exciting activities, and laidback vibes.
If you want the amazing feeling of getting married on Maui but don't necessarily want the ocean setting - if you imagine saying "I do" in a lush space dripping with elegance and charm, Haiku Mill is the place for you.
The History of Haiku Mill
Hidden away on Maui's north shore, Haiku Mill is aptly described as "Old World Europe meets natural Hawaiian splendor in spectacular fashion." How Haiku Mill became one of the top wedding venues in the world is an interesting story.
The start of Haiku Mill was due to Hawaii's sugar industry, an industry that shaped the future of the Hawaiian Islands. In 1858, Haiku Sugar Company was chartered and construction began on Haiku Sugar Mill. At this time, the sugar industry dominated Hawaii's economy. Sugar cane, or ko in Hawaiian, seemed to grow well on the islands, besides the fact that a lot of water was needed for irrigation and processing. Hawaii’s sugar industry experienced boom and bust cycles, but the Civil War increased Hawaii’s sugar production because sugar and other exports from the South were blocked during the war.
Sugar cane's need for water resulted in a system of ditches being built from Maui’s wet Hana side to central Maui. Along with diverting the water and changing the land, the sugar industry is largely responsible for the melting pot population found in Hawaii. As sugar production ramped up, plantations had to import workers to continue expanding. Immigrant labor arrived in waves from China, Japan, and the Philippines. A smaller number of people also came from Portugal, Puerto Rico, Korea, Scotland, and Germany. Overall, Hawaii had a rapid population growth with 337,000 people immigrating over the span of a century. These immigrants brought their culture, food, and language with them, creating the unique rainbow of cultures we see in Hawaii today.
Haiku Sugar Mill, also known as Pua Le‘a or “blossoming passion” in Hawaiian, was completed in 1861 and processed its sugar cane using a steam engine. In fact, Haiku Sugar Mill was the very first sugar mill in Hawaii to use a steam engine to grind cane and this milestone allowed Haiku Sugar Mill to be added to the list of distinguished National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
In 1879, Haiku Sugar Mill was abandoned. For over a century, vines and vegetation crept over the thick stone walls. When the Mill’s current owner Sylvia Hamilton Kerr came across the land over 25 years ago, it was a far cry from what it looks like today. Banyan trees were growing up through the walls and the invasive hale koa plant was taking over. Sylvia was instantly compelled to buy the property, not as a potential wedding venue, but to preserve this meaningful piece of Hawaiian history.
Hawaii Based wedding photography Angie Diaz Talk about breathtaking one of its kind wedding venue in maui North shore Haiku Mill. A must watch for a honest approach about all the feels of this exotic venue from Epic luxury weddings and Intimate timeless elopements.
“Old World Europe meets natural Hawaiian splendor at Haiku Mill – a stunning property located on Maui’s north shore, off the famous Road to Hana. With its unmatched beauty and elegance, unique past, and lush, tropical location, Haiku Mill is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before”
Haiku Mill Transformation
The transformation of the Mill was guided by Maui's past and influenced by the unpretentious lifestyle of the south of France. The original stone walls create a frame for the enchanting beauty within. The lush surroundings are embraced with touches of greenery throughout the space and romantic vines overhead. A cascading waterfall sits above the stone stairway on the upper level of the Mill. The glass ceiling opens the Mill up to the Hawaiian sky, letting in the light during the day and views of the stars at night. Antique French cast iron columns and a chandelier add to the refined elegance. After reviving the ruins of the old sugar mill to the magnificent treasure it is now, the location was renamed from Haiku Sugar Mill to the simpler and more poetic Haiku Mill.
The Cane House, named as a nod to the Mill's roots, is a quaint wooden house on property filled with amazing decor from the flea markets of Paris. The space once functioned as quarters for sugar plantation workers, but now it is a stunning place to get ready for your Haiku Mill wedding or take intimate romantic portraits.
The Magic of Haiku Mill
Haiku Mill has magic that you can feel. The natural aura and all the details of this historic land come together to transport you back to a simpler time, a time where you can be fully in the moment with your love. Whenever I step on property, I am amazed by the grace and timeless beauty of Haiku Mill. I am blessed to be one of the select wedding photographers allowed to capture weddings at Haiku Mill, and I would be so honored to be your Haiku Mill wedding photographer.
