Maui Tropical Plantation closing But owner says ‘we will be back’; some other businesses shuttered

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2020/07/maui-tropical-plantation-closing/

A day after reports began circulating about the Maui Tropical Plantation closing indefinitely, its owner said Wednesday that the visitor attraction “will survive.”

“We will be back. When, I don’t know,” said Mike “Coach” Atherton.

He described the Waikapu plantation as a hospitality business catering to tourists, who come to ride a tram through agricultural fields or to zip line and shop in the Plantation Store for souvenirs, snacks and made-on-Maui products.

Locals also are known to bring keiki to the duck pound or to eat at The Mill House restaurant, which also will be closed.

But Kumu Farms will continue to operate, along with the adjacent agriculture operations, Atherton said.

Actually, some shutdowns already were in the works for the next year or so, including the tram and zip line, he said. Those attractions would not co-exist with his planned Waikapu County Town development, which calls for 1,400 single-family, multifamily and rural units, commercial space, parks and open space and an elementary school surrounding the Maui Tropical Plantation.

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