Hello, hello again! It’s another beautiful day here on Maui, and we’re honored to continue our series helping to introduce you to our favorite kama’aina businesses and residents all across The Valley Isle. Today we’re just down the way from our own offices at the Shops at Wailea to pop in and say aloha to Jeff Pfeil, the general manager at Martin & MacArthur. It was great to catch up with him, and to spend a little time in one of Gary’s all-time favorite stores here on the island.
Martin & MacArthur are a towering Hawaiian institution, recently celebrating their 60th year in business across The Aloha State. Based in Honolulu, they have 12 stores across the islands (and 2 in Las Vegas, our ‘9th Island’), working with some of the finest craftsman in the state to produce their innovative, elegant designs. Founded by Jon Martin in 1961, the company has grown exponentially over the years yet still maintains their precision and dedication to crafting unique pieces and ornamentations. They began as a furniture making company but have expanded their reach over the past 15 years to designing many different stylish pieces, from home décor to personal fashion, all with the local flavor that first made them famous. Have you seen their beautiful koa wood watches yet? Bold and refined, their pieces are sure to turn some heads at your next get together!
Although the company’s unparalleled craftsmen work with a wide array of materials, all their furniture and a large part of their accessories are exclusively made with koa wood, with all of its legendary properties and deep sense of meaning. ‘Koa’ in Hawaiian means warrior or strong, and has remained highly regarded and sought-after for centuries. Jeff and the entire operating team at Martin & MacArthur takes great care to only harvest their koa sustainably, working with trees that have already fallen or died as opposed to cutting lives ones down prematurely. Additionally, they have been leading the charge to reforest the koa trees for our future generations, lending their support towards the local farmers and sustainability advocates on the Big Island as well.
It’s been a thrill to spend some time with Jeff at the store, and we’re already looking forward to the next time we can come out for a visit. Come on down to The Shops at Wailea and stop on in yourself the next time you need a gift for that special someone in your life, or to spruce up your living quarters or wardrobe with the flair of authentic, artfully-crafted koa. Better yet, why not make it a twofer and stop on by to meet Gary and the entire team at GM Maui while you’re at it? You’ll have a friend for life, and the benefit of over 37 years in the real estate business to land the home of your dreams.
