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. 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 and artisans 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 Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului, where for seven years in a row the gallery won the center’s award for Highest Sales Per Square Foot in its category. Maui Hands opened its third location in April 2000 in Pa‘ia 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 prestigious Hyatt Regency, Ka‘anapali, which allowed those artists remaining on the wait list to be represented. Maui Hands opened in September 2004 on Front Street in popular Lahaina Town, and quickly became the second busiest of the four galleries after Pa‘ia. In July 2011, the Makawao location moved to a larger space on Makawao Avenue to accommodate larger pieces for the home, including fine furnishings, sculptures, and vessels crafted in wood, ceramics, plant fibers, and more. Sadly, the Front Street location location in Lahaina burned down in the tragic fires that ravaged Maui on August 8, 2023. Between August and November 2023, Maui Hands paid all artists for their losses and rallied together to raise money for both employees and represented artists who lost their homes.
Meet The Owner
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 blissful years of childhood 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 in 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!