Makua Banana Bread

With summer fading into our metaphorical rearview mirrors, I’ve been reflecting on the moments that made mine one of the best yet. Traveling to Oahu gifted many colorful adventures with flavors I haven’t soon forgotten, like the subtle sweetness of fresh banana bread. When Seth and I first noticed a mint green VW bus on the side of the road with droves of customers, we knew something special was happening, and followed the warm smells of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Makua Banana Bread was dreamt up from a similarly sporadic roadside experience. Owner Nathan Murray reflects, “My grandparents and I would vacation in Maui as a family. There was a great banana bread location on the Road to Hana and it was tradition to stop halfway for a snack,” Those cherished memories stuck with him and eventually helped form the future for a new family venture.

It all began when Nathan met his wife, Lisa while staying at her Airbnb in Hawaii. He made the jump from California to Oahu in 2018, chasing his future fiance across oceans. They purchased the iconic bus in 2020 and daydreamed about its potential uses. “We’re both entrepreneurial in spirit and had lots of ideas for what to do with it. Weddings or maybe brand events. Then we started seeing the way people reacted to it and knew it had to be this,” Nathan says. 

Many residents of Hawaii have some form of side hustle to maintain their island lifestyle. While balancing their full time jobs, Lisa and Nathan have been able to actively pursue their creative outlets as well. Lisa owns a jewelry company, created out of her love for the ocean and diving for seashells. In addition, Nathan’s parents have been a part of the family banana bread business since the early days. In fact, Nathan’s mom Alana is the hands behind the dough. She bakes hundreds of banana bread loaves each week. It truly is a family business.  

Perfectly located on the North Shore, where local surfers and pros mingle, Makua Banana Bread is a taste of comfort before your next adventure. “We make good, moist banana bread that’s like your grandma’s secret recipe. It’s definitely a comfort food,” he says with a smile. Wrapped in brown paper, crinkling as we passed our loaf back and forth, I remember wondering out loud how it could be notably dense yet perfectly soft at the same time. Quality ingredients are key (like apple bananas from the North Shore when supply is available) but it’s the love that’s generously sprinkled into each bite that stands out. 

Names often have significant meaning and their business is no exception. “Makua means family or parent,” Nathan explains. Appropriately named, their family business is deeply rooted in familal ties and connection. They’ve been welcomed with warm Aloha spirit from the community since the beginning and want to continue giving that love back. 

Eventually, the team is working to convert the banana brand stand into a full café where visitors can relax and enjoy their bread over conversation. Until then, you can find Makua Banana Bread at farmers markets and at their location on the North Shore. Not planning a trip to the island any time soon? They offer 2-day shipping to the mainland. Imagine waking up to a local baked treat on your doorstep, straight from Oahu. Bliss! And while I wish we never had to leave the island, Makua Banana Bread will remain permanently on our list of must-stops when visiting. Mahalo! 

Learn more about Makua Banana Bread and follow their sweet adventures on Instagram.