Hawaiian Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Tour Experience
Available: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Duration: 3-3.5 Hours
As you journey to Honolii Orchards, you’ll drive along some of the Big Island’s scenic backroads, rarely explored by most visitors. Our 33-acre family-owned farm is located just 5 minutes from Hilo, set amidst historic breadfruit, sugarcane, macadamia, and cattle land, 1.7 miles up Puia Road.
Upon arrival, you’ll step into our elevated tasting room, perched above the orchard canopy, offering breathtaking ocean and valley views. We’ll begin with some casual conversation before heading out to tour the orchards with Colin Hart, our master agronomist.
In the orchards, you’ll explore the journey of the cacao tree-from cultivation to harvest-and discover how its precious fruits are transformed into the beloved treat we know as chocolate. We encourage curiosity, so feel free to ask any questions you may have! While here, we’ll also delve into the broader agricultural history of the region, touching on the once-booming sugarcane industry that shaped the Hamakua Coast.
Following the orchard tour, Colin, whose master’s work focused on cacao fermentation and drying, will guide you through the fascinating process of cacao fermentation. This is a unique opportunity to dive deep into the science of post-harvest processing, a critical step in producing high-quality craft chocolate.
Next, we’ll return to the tasting room for an engaging exploration of chocolate’s history, tracing its origins from ancient Mesoamerica to today’s craft chocolate revolution. You’ll also gain an understanding of the key differences between craft chocolate and mass-produced commodity chocolate.
We conclude the tour with an exceptional tasting of 10 single-origin craft chocolate bars, all sourced from various farms across the Hawaiian Archipelago. Through this tasting, you’ll experience the incredible diversity of flavors that Hawaiian cacao offers. Like fine wine, craft chocolate reveals the profound influence of terroir-how genetics, soil, and climate combine to create distinct flavor profiles.
We like to think of Hawaii as the Napa Valley of craft chocolate, and by joining us, you’ll become part of an exclusive group at the forefront of this growing industry. This experience will equip you with the knowledge to discuss cacao agriculture and chocolate’s rich history with confidence, while also helping you refine your own unique flavor preferences.
In addition to the chocolate tasting, you’ll also get to try fresh cacao juice, roasted cacao beans, chocolate-covered macadamias, cacao tea, and other seasonal fruits and farm-fresh treats.
After the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase any of the chocolates you tasted. You’re also welcome to stay, relax in the tasting room, or take a leisurely walk through our beautiful orchards.
Inclusions:
- Guided 10-bar chocolate-tasting
- Unlimited chocolate samples
- Guided farm tour
- Seasonal fruit from the farm
- History of Hawaiian agriculture discussion
- History of chocolate lesson
- Cacao juice
- Cacao tea
- Water
- Umbrellas
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
Exclusions:
- Rain Jackets
- Gratuities
Participant Restrictions:
Age: 9+
Allergies: Please let us know of any allergies
Physical Restrictions: Guests must be able to walk up the ramp to our tasting room. Guests who are unable to walk around our farm, during the 1.5 hour farm tour portion of the experience, are invited to lounge in our tasting room during that time.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
We will be visiting a commercial farm. Please be aware that clothes or shoes may get dirty.
Please also be aware that we run our tours rain or shine, so be prepared with appropriate attire for any weather conditions. We have umbrellas available.
Closed-toed shoes, hats, and rain jackets are all recommended but not required.
DIRECTIONS:
The easiest way to get to our farm is to use Google Maps to navigate to the following pin: Google Maps Link. Please use Google Maps to ensure accurate directions and ignore any private road signs on the way.
To reach the farm, head to Paukaa, Hawaii 96720—just 5 minutes from Hilo. Turn off Mamalahoa Highway onto Kulana Street, drive through Paukaa Town, and then turn onto Puia Road (next to the Paukaa Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness Church). Puia Road is mislabeled as Woa Road, so please follow Google Maps’ street names. Drive 1.7 miles up Puia Road for 5–10 minutes. Our green gate will be open on the left with a large vinyl sign indicating our entrance.
.jpg)
