February 16, 2004
She Has It All Figured Out
Today we headed out North from our hotel to adventure around Maui. The plan was to drive around the entire upper part of the island in a big clockwise circle. Our first stop was at the Olivene Pools. They say you can swim in them but there wasn’t enough water today.
After leaving the pools, the state highway ends and it turns into a 2-way 1-lane road. Its a windy road up on the cliffside. Many of the hairpin turns have mirrors mounted on them so you can see if anybody is coming the other direction. When you come up on another car, somebody has to back up or pull off and up the side of the hill so you can squeeze by each other. Its called the Road to Kahakuloa.
At one little village, there was a small roadside stand. The sign out front said, “Best Banana Bread on the Planet”. A Hawaiian woman working inside welcomed us in and gave us the story on the banana bread but all I could focus on was the economic genius of the banana bread lady. Let me explain. She has a zero maintenance shack on the side of the road. Cars are pulling off as they approach from both directions. She sells 70 loaves of bread each day by noon and then she is done for the day. Each loaf is $5. She works 7 days a week. 70*5*365 = $127,750 a year. So working half days, this lady is making six figures and I don’t think Uncle Sam knows she is out there. Neither does the board of health for that matter. I am in the wrong line of work I guess. Herb and I were so busy chatting about the banana bread business plan that I forgot a picture.
At the next stop, I was sitting in the car when two curious Hawaiian dogs came up and said hi — right in my window.
Carole made us stop at Curly’s fruit stand near the end of the trip. When she walked over, there was a drunk cowboy in the tent waving the flies off the fruit and hollering, “C’mon in!”. Carole sensing this wasn’t the highest rated stop on the tour decided to back-pedal to the car — which Herb had kept running.
Another adventure completed.
I stumbled upon the Banana Bread lady a few weeks ago, but I didn't realize the details of her business plan. Makes perfect sense! What a racket!
My family and I have had the privilege of meeting the famous Banana Bread Lady, Julia. It is The Best Banana Bread on the Planet! What a brilliant and wonderful lady she is. I highly recommend everyone who visits maui to drive to Kahakuloa Village and get Julia's Banana Bread.
Crazy...but one of my last options. I too am a Julia fan; have been for over 8 years. Last year, I purchased 2-1/2 doz loaves, froze and took home. My Mom got her card but has lost it. Normally, I am in Maui every December, but due to loss in family, could not make it....too busy with work now and I am down to 2 loaves which is a desparate situation......do you have her phone number so I can order and ship replenishment stock overnight? This is not a joke, check with my family.....the best part of Maui is the banana bread, the gallery with dogs and the fish wraps in Makena with the Fruit Man.
Thanks for your time. (Once again, this is for real!)
Do you have Julia's phone number? As the person above mom did I lost Julia's phone number. Please email me with any help possiable.
Thanks in advance.
i know Julia from kahakuloa her last name is Kaiwi you can look it up in the phone book
Just got back from Maui and I cannot stop the craving for some more of Julia's Banana Bread. So my question to any of you is did you find her phone number or e-mail address.
Desperate House Wife!!!!!
I know exactly what y'all are talking about...my husband and i were there about 3 years ago for our honeymoon adn I have been craving some banana bread and shaved ice from Lorraine's...Does anyone know how to get in touch with either one of these ladies...I would be so ever gratefull. Please email me.
epeyson@hotmail.com
Hi, I visit the banana bread lady every year and I have pictures and I believe her phone number if you still need it. The only problem is I just moved and not unpacked yet. If you need info just reply to my email and I will send it when I get to that box. I don't eat banana bread but I stop to chat each year. I figured out how much she made one year as well. Isn't it amazing? Kathy
Aloha... Based on your webpage we traveled the one lane, Kahekili Highway to Julia's in Kahakuloa. Banana bread no ka oi! Mahalo for the advice. That road is definitely not for the faint of heart, my friend... Advice: travel from the Kapalua side and stay on the inside if you need to pass oncoming traffic.
Aloha, Yeah thanks for the tips. I tried Julia's banana bread and yup it was fantastic, I recommed it to every who visit's Maui, But I also had a chance to visit the island of Molokai and I found the most buttery and delicious banana bread on Molokai, This young girl sales Molokais Buttery and Delicious banana bread and she has all variety of flavors, The bread is like heaven, The flavors she has, Blueberrybanana,Pumkinbanana,Banana-Nut,and Reg Banana bread, I bought 2 dozen and loo and behold me and my buddies ate 1/2 a dozen b-4 we got back to Maui, Her bread is so buttery and tasteful U all have to go to molokai and try it. On top of this She's beautiful and lovely to speak too. Mahalo Rick and the gang from Phoenix Arizona
We went to Maui a year ago and found julia's Banana bread and got 2 loaves to go, then had to go back for 3 more they were so incrediably good! I have been craving the banana bread ever since. Is there a way to get the recipe or phone number? Please help!
Sincerely, desperate housewife!
hi, we also went to hana with friends last week, but didn't get far enough to taste julia's bread. i'm wondering if by chance you would have a number? does she ship out?? our friends raved about her bread all of the trip and we had to turn around due to timing.....we were sad!! please contact me with any info. my friends and i thank you, great pics also. gayle
We bought some banana bread at Julia's earlier this year. Wow! Would love to have more. I am looking for an e-mail or web address or phone number. Can you help me??
just got her bread. wow is it good did not meet her but her niece is nice person too. www.juliasbananabread.com 808 242 4399
Hi everyone, Yes, my husband and I have had the pleasure of enjoying the banana bread on the way to Hana. We have been trying to find the recipe for years now. Has anyone found it? Please be willing to share, PLEASE! let us know . . . thanks in advance!
Yesterday we too fell in love with Julia's Banana Bread. Fortunately for all of you, I was surfing the web for her internet page when I stumbled upon this guest book. Try her email: BananaBreadLady2@aol.com, or either of her websites: JuliasBananaBread.com or CoconutCandyNuggets.com. I plan to ship her tasty treats everywhere!