History of Chocolate and Hawaiian Craft Chocolate Tasting
Availability: Select Tuesday and Thursdays
Time: 3:00 pm (Checkin 2:45 pm)
Duration: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Honolii Orchards is a 33-acre, multigenerational, family-owned farm located on the lush slopes of Maunakea, just five minutes from downtown Hilo.
For those on a tight schedule, our shorter 90-minute tour is the perfect way to experience the magic of Hawaiian Craft Chocolate. Learn about cacao agriculture and fermentation and then dive into the ancient history of cacao, its journey from Mesoamerica to Europe, and the modern bean-to-bar craft chocolate movement.
Then be expertly guided through a tasting of up to 10 different chocolate bars sourced from farms across the Hawaiian Archipelago and learn why people call Hawaii the Napa Valley of Craft Chocolate.
All while perched above the canopy in our brand-new tasting room.
Itinerary
- Arrive at the farm at 2:45pm
- Discuss cacao agriculture and fermentation
- Learn about the ancient history of chocolate
- Dive into the modern bean-to-bar craft chocolate movement
- Enjoy a guided tasting of up to 10 single-origin Hawaiian Chocolate Bars
- Purchase your favorite chocolate and then enjoy the rest of your day!
Highlights
Honolii Orchards offers an intimate experience where guests have ample time to take photos, explore the farm, relax in the tasting room, and make purchases without feeling rushed. Unlike many tour operations in Hawaii that hurry their guests through, we provide a uniquely unhurried experience-a breath of fresh air in a beautiful and serene setting.
We also serve as a genetic bank, housing cacao varieties that are not commonly found. This allows guests to explore both the flavors that captivated ancient Mesoamericans and the new flavors from modern genetic varieties that drive the contemporary craft chocolate movement.
Driven by rigorous science, we are not just a commercial farm and tour operation but also a public research enterprise. Currently, we are participating in four active research projects and are specially equipped to support ongoing research as our orchards mature. All research published using data from our farm will be publicly available, benefiting farmers worldwide.
Inclusions:
- Guided 10-bar chocolate-tasting
- Unlimited chocolate samples
- History of chocolate lesson
- Cacao fruit
- Cacao juice
- Cacao tea / Brewing Chocolate
- Fermented cacao beans
- Seasonal fruit from the farm
- Water
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
Exclusions:
- Rain Jackets
- Gratuities
Participant Restrictions:
Ages: 9+
Allergies: Please let us know of any allergies
Physical Restrictions: Guests must be able to walk up the ramp to our tasting room.
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.
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.
