Our Story
There is no better place on Maui to find that special piece of local artwork. It’s a real voyage of discovery! Maui Hands is the creative efforts of 300 local artists working in every conceivable medium and style (with some exceptions for longtime artists who, while originally based in Hawai‘i, have moved away). Fine art, prints, photography, woodwork, ceramics, blown glass, furniture, sculpture, linens, and a large selection of fine and casual jewelry are all there, as well as the largest collection of Ni‘ihau shell lei on the island. Each gallery is a pleasant place to visit, full of interesting and eclectic pieces in every price range.
The Story Of Maui Hands ~ Since 1992
Maui Hands began a tradition of representing Hawai‘i’s fine artists, artisans, and jewelers in the spring of 1992, first opening to the public in August 1992 at The Courtyard, Makawao, with just 25 artisans. The second gallery began operations in November 1994 at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului, where for seven years in a row the gallery won the mall’s award for Highest Sales Per Square Foot in its category. Maui Hands opened its third location in April 2000 in Pāʻia on the picturesque North Shore, where much-needed space allowed for more art displays and increased foot traffic. In December 2002, Maui Hands was invited to open at the Hyatt Regency, Ka‘anapali, which allowed those artists remaining on the wait list to be represented. Two years later in September 2004, Maui Hands opened on Front Street in Lāhainā and quickly became the second busiest of the four galleries after Pāʻia. In July 2011, the Makawao location moved to a larger space next to the public library to accommodate larger works, including fine furniture, sculptures, and more. With foot traffic significantly down due to Covid, the Hyatt location moved to the prestigious Shops at Wailea in August 2021. Sadly, the Lāhainā location burned down in the tragic fires that ravaged Maui on August 8, 2023. Between August and November that same year, Maui Hands paid all artists for their losses and rallied together to raise money for both employees and represented artists who lost their homes.
Fall 2025 Announcement: We have new owners!
Len and Sasha purchased Maui Hands in the fall of 2025 upon the retirement of Panna, and are excited and filled with gratitude to continue the gallery’s strong legacy of connecting local artists with residents and visitors alike. Len and Sasha view their role as one which is to simply support the entire Maui Hands ‘ohana for the foreseeable future while using Maui Hands revenue to give back in support of the Maui community as a whole.
Meet The Founder
Panna Speas Cappelli was born in the summer of 1960 on Lake Michigan. Her first home was a 52-foot sailboat she shared with her parents, grandmother, three sisters, a brother, and a monkey. She spent her blissful childhood years on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands before moving to Florida to attend college. After four years in a commune, a year traveling the world, and two years in the Florida Keys, Panna then found a home on Maui. Her family and an interesting and eventful life taught her the value of courage, stamina, and honesty. Business school provided her the bookkeeping, secretarial, and management skills needed to start an enterprise, while working in the service industry taught her how to value and respect the customer. Maui Hands was born of a desire to work with good people while being surrounded by beauty. Dreams do come true!