Nestled in a Lush Oceanfront Valley on Maui’s North Shore, on a Historic Site that the Ancient Hawaiians called Keali’i Nui (The Highest Royalty), The Spirit of Aloha Oceanfront Botanical Gardens emerged from a vision of its founder and managing director, Fredrick Honig. The inspiration is to live in Harmony with Nature and to promote and facilitate Well-being for the Individual and for the Ecology of the Planet.
For over sixteen years, Fredrick has cultivated, sculpted, planted, and built what many experience as A Portal into a Sacred Realm. This awe-inspiring 11-acre habitat in Haiku, set atop the cliffs of Uaoa Bay, looking out over the Papa Nui O Kane Rock Island and the vast Pacific Ocean expanse, captured his imagination and reverence. Fredrick, who served as a Monk and Student of The Revered Interfaith Leader,
Sri Swami Satchidananda, for over twenty years, was pivotal in the establishment of the world-renowned Yogaville Interfaith Community and LOTUS (Light of Truth Universal Shrine), which is the Integral Yoga International Headquarters, set on the banks of the James River in Virginia.
With an essential respect for the native landscape, Fredrick has lovingly distilled the Aloha Spirit in creating the Botanical Gardens through the natural chemistry of health and harmony, and a heartfelt commitment to Nature’s 12 Universal Core Values, which are shared by all World Religions. Fredrick feels that these 12 core values, adopted by U.N.E.S.C.O (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), are most clearly expressed as The Spirit of Aloha. The Gardens are Dedicated to the Understanding and Integration of Natures 12 Core Principles or Values: Love, Peace, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance, Humility, Cooperation, Happiness, Responsibility, Simplicity, Freedom, and Unity.
Through collaboration with Hawaiian Elders, and Organizations such as Cultural Surveys Hawaii Inc., and the Department of Land & Natural Resources, The Spirit of Aloha Oceanfront Botanical Gardens seeks to preserve the Historic Sites and Structures found on the Land. These features, which have been recognized and registered with the State of Hawaii Historical Preservation Division, include: retaining walls used for the cultivation of wetland taro, pre-contact terraced alignment features, a historic family burial crypt, and a pre-contact basalt wall modifying the ancient Keali’i Stream.
The Gardens are recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Sanctuary. Our goal in stewarding this land is to help preserve native and endangered Plants, Birds, Butterflies, and Marine Life. We promote Sustainable Horticulture and Plant Based Nutrition.
Our Structure:
Well Being International Inc. and The Spirit of Aloha Temple are both 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Service Organizations, formed in the State of Hawaii in 1993 and 2007 respectively, with aims to become sustainable for future generations.
Supported by a Brilliant Board of Advisors Including:
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer– New York Times best-selling author, world
renowned inspirational speaker and PBS special fundraiser
Mr. Joseph Sugarman– Former owner/editor of Maui Weekly Newspaper, Acclaimed Author, Entrepreneur & Humanitarian
Mr. John Min– Former director of The Maui County Planning Dept. and our Pro Bono Advisor on County Permitting
Auntie Puanani Mahoe – Kanaka Maoli Kapuna Wahini, a Revered Hawaiian Elder, Teacher, and Healer
Mr. Mark Sheehan– Senior Member of Maui Tomorrow, Environmentalist
Mr. Wayne Pacelle– President and CEO of The Humane Society of The United States, one of America’s largest non-profit organizations
Mr. Larry Heller– Certified Public Accountant, Contributes over 30 years of Financial Advisory Expertise
Dr. Harold Bloomfield– New York Times Best-Selling Author in The Art and Science of Relationships
Mr. Gary Worth– Founder of St. Ives Corp., Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Dr. Paul Hansma– Acclaimed Professor of Physics At UCSB
Mr. Steven Freid– TV Producer and Host: Life on Maui
Ms. Laurelee Blanchard– President, Vegetarian Society of Maui
Dr. Will Tuttle– Best Selling Author of “The World Peace Diet”
Dr. Bill Harris– President of The Vegetarian Society of Hawaii
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich– Plant Based Nutrition , Human Rights and Environmental Advocate
Dr. Lani Star– Native Hawaiian Wisdom Keeper, Humanitarian and
Renowned Spiritual Recording Artist and Keynote Speaker
Rev. Sri Swami Karunananda Ma– Senior Board Member of Integral Yoga International. Acclaimed Author, Speaker & Guide
Mr. Mike Drescher– One of Maui’s foremost Horticulturalists in Sustainability & Aquaponic food production.
Rev. Mirabai Devi– International Spiritual Teacher & Foundation
Attorney Anthony Rankin– Founding Member of Maui Tomorrow, advocate for Sustainability on Maui
Mr. Jeffree Trudeau– World Bamboo Organization Projects Director
Mr. Chris Mentzel– Founder and CEO of “Clean Energy Maui”
Reaching out:
Working with other Organizations to Inspire and Nurture the People of Maui to undertake bold Initiatives that Support Cultural Diversity, Social Harmony, Responsible Economic Growth, and Ecological Balance, our Vision is for Maui to become the Well Being Capitol of the World and a Leading Center of Global Renaissance.
The Future:
Our Goal is that The Spirit of Aloha Oceanfront Botanical Gardens be preserved for future generations to continue to deepen our understanding of the Spirit of Aloha. We hope to inspire a Generation of People Dedicated to Living in Harmony and Preserving the Well-being of Nature.