Ellen Barone

© Ellen Barone. Tropical fruits, Ono Organic Farms,

Hawaii has long been known for its agricultural staples such as sugar and pineapple. But on rural East Maui, the tropical climate and fertile volcanic soil  sustains a number of family organic farms growing all manner of exotic fruits. On an afternoon tour at Ono Organic Farms in Kipahulu outside Hana I was knocked out by the freshness and flavor of the tropical fruits grown there. Never had I tasted fruit so pure in flavor.

When Charles “Chuck” Boerner was born on the island of Oahu in 1945, his paternal grandfather purchased land in Hana, Maui, and began what is now a four generation Boerner tradition - organic family farming in Hawaii. Established more than 30 years ago, ONO Organic Farms, Inc. is a 30-acre, certified organic, exotic, tropical fruit, coffee, and chocolate farm in Hana, Maui, Hawaii on the southern slopes of Haleakala volcano.

Owned and operated by Chuck and Lily Boerner and their children, ONO Organic Farms produces thousands of pounds of papaya, banana, avocado, and other tropical fruit every week. These products and others are distributed by ONO Organic Farms to local health food stores, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, individual households, and farmers markets throughout the islands of Hawaii.

On Maui, you can purchase products and produce from ONO Organic Farms on Monday and Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM at their roadside market in Hana Town, and on Saturday morning in their big booth at the Swap Meet in Kahului (next to the post office) from 7 AM to 1 PM.

Meet the Boerner family for a tour and fruit tastings held by appointment every Monday and Thursday afternoon.  Call 808-248-7779 or visit Ono Organic Farms for reservations.