The Makawao History Museum needs your help. We are a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors, funded in part by the County of Maui, the sale of our products, and the generosity of our donors.

Your donation is essential for the future of the Museum Join others who feel the preservation of the history of Makawao and Upcountry is part of our local pride.

Mahalo Nui Loa!
We are thrilled that the Hawaii Community Foundation has generously awarded the Makawao History Museum a $10,000 FLEX Grant. A special thank you to the exceptional grantors, the Robert Emens Black Fund for contributing $7,000 and the G70 Foundation Fund for contributing $3,000 of the $10,000 award. HCF continues to make a difference every day for the communities of Hawaii. This grant is significant to the Museum in its size and support for operational expenses.
Thank you HCF for your generous grant so we may continue "to preserve and share the cultural heritage of our Upcountry community by bringing history to life for present and future generations."
Thank you to everyone else that has donated to the Makawao History Museum this year. Your continued donations and support allow us to keep our doors open to preserve the history of Makawao Town.


Memories of Aloha
Opening her own retail store was always Rene Wineland's dream, and after moving back to Makawao in 2004, that dream became a reality. The "Aloha Cowboy" quickly became a part of the landscape, selling unique Western wear, décor and tack, and catering to both the local Paniolo and all the other cowpokes that wandered through town. Rene and her husband Roger were very much involved in the rodeo community, providing the trophies for the Bull Bash and the stick races for the keiki. 

Rene passed away on November 5th 2018, but her legacy is still remembered by locals and past visitors alike. People will often stop in by the Makawao History Museum, located next door, and ask about Aloha Cowboy. We are happy to remember Rene with them and the piece of Aloha she left behind.
Makawao Walking Tours are back! Want to learn more about the history of Makawao? The Makawao History Museum will be having walking tours of Makawao Town with a guide and brochure/map.

Residents and visitors are invited, families welcome! Suggested donation of $5.00 will help ensure the continued preservation of the history of Makawao and Upcountry.

Reservations are helpful, but they are not required. Call or email the Makawao History Museum at 572-2482 and info@makawaomuseum.org.

We hope to see you on March 3rd at 10 a.m.! Additional Walking Tours are scheduled for the first Sunday of every month.
Palaka - The Hawaiian Denim

Palaka is a pattern of woven checkerboard plaid first used by the Japanese plantation workers in Hawaii and was reminiscent of the summer yukatas that were worn in Japan.  The print was originally blue and white but now comes in many colors such as red, green, or pink.

The word Palaka came to be used to describe a “frock” and is generally the name of a plaid shirt designed to be worn outside the pants.
The love of Palaka shirts grew in the 50’s and 60’s from plantation to Aloha wear for locals and tourists alike, as well as surf shorts cut out of the same cloth. 
The Makawao History Museum continues the tradition of creating versatility from the Palaka cloth by presenting aprons hand crafted by Museum volunteer Martha Watkins.
Pineapple workers dressed in Palaka
“Olinda Road Drive through" taken by Dustin Insley after the February 10th storm that blew through Maui. 
The Makawao History Museum is looking for stories for our "Aloha in Makawao" columns! Please feel free to email us your stories at info@makawaomuseum.org
 Phone 1-(808) 572-2482 | Email  info@makawaomuseum.org
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