Maui Alpaca Farm

The Maui Alpaca Farm is a short drive uphill from Makawao. As we approached the farm, dark clouds starting gathering, and it was drizzling when we reached the farm. We were the only visitors for the 3.30pm tour, so our guide ushered us into the covered angora rabbit enclosure to play with the large fluffy bunnies. Unfortunately, all three bunnies weren't cooperating that day; they jumped off our laps after being placed there, and they didn't accept the grass we tried to hand feed to them.

It was pouring when we were done with the bunnies, so we donned raincoats provided by the guide and we made our way into the barn in the adjacent alpaca paddock. There, we interacted with ten or so adult females and two young ones (the males were kept in a separate enclosure). Our guide told us about alpaca behavior and social structures. We witnessed their pack behavior in action when one alpaca, appropriately named Miss Sassy, started acting aggressively towards one of the others. When the pack matriach saw what was happening, she spat at Sassy several times and then stayed around to urge the victim to stand back up.

I've always wanted to see alpacas or llamas spitting, so I was perversely delighted to witness this. I had always assumed that they simply projectiled saliva, and I surprised to learn that they spat regurgitated half digested food. It smelled really bad. In fact, the matriach kept her mouth open after spitting because it tasted so bad. Apart from interacting with and feeding the alpacas, we were treated to a demonstration on how alpaca wool is spun into threads.

Our visit to the farm was a little pricey, but it was well worth it because we got to interact with animals we would not otherwise have access to.

After visiting the farm, we returned to Kīhei where we chilled a little before heading out for a pizza dinner.Read more