Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Experience on the Big Island
5.0
35 Ratings
Hilo

Discover the rich flavors of Hawaiian craft chocolate with a farm tour and tasting experience. Savor 10 single origin bars and more.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 1533 Puia Rd - The tour begins with a convenient van pickup in Paukaa before heading to Honolii Orchards, a legacy family farm on Mauna Kea’s slopes. Learn about local history as we drive through old macadamia nut groves and cattle pastures.

Upon arrival at the farm, sit above the canopy and enjoy the Honolii Orchards Tasting Room’s stunning ocean and valley views. Explore the Hamakua Coast’s agricultural history and chat casually before touring the orchards with our master agronomist Colin Hart, where we’ll discover the secrets of cacao farming and the mysteries of cacao fermentation.

Afterward, delve into chocolate’s history, from ancient Mesoamerica to the modern craft movement, before savoring diverse craft chocolates from across Hawaii and experiencing the single-origin nuances as genetics and environment meld flavors.

Taste fresh cacao juice, roasted beans, cacao tea, and seasonal fruits. Conclude with insights into chocolate’s craft transformation, akin to Napa’s wine scene.

This tour offers a comprehensive education, tastings, and a serene pace, leaving you enriched and knowledgeable. You’ll return home with lasting memories and an enhanced appreciation for cacao and chocolate.

What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Chocolate
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

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.

Location
445 Kulana St
Kulana Street
Please park on the shoulder of the road across the street from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovas Witness Church. You will be parking alongside a large community park. Our tour van will pick you up from there and take you the rest of the way to the farm!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(35 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
48anamh
Jul 5, 2024
Chocolate processing - It was awesome to understand chocolate processing and had 10 types of chocolate testing along with multiple fruits & juice
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessica
Jun 30, 2024
Incredible experience for both tourists and locals!! - I took my parter and dad on the cacao farm tour and tasting and we all had such an unforgettable time. Colin and Wrenn took care of everything we could possibly need (sunscreen and umbrellas for the sun, water, transportation up the hill to the farm) and their vibe was so welcoming, friendly, and informative. You can really tell how much they care about the farm, chocolate, and their guests’ experience. I am from the Big Island and I learned so many new things about cacao farming, the Hamakua area, and the history of cacao. When I have family and friends visit me in the future, I’m going to take them on this tour and tasting :) Also, the chocolate was SO GOOD.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ian
Jun 29, 2024
knowledgeable, informative, and flavorful! - fantastic journey into the world of cacao farming, fermentation, and chocolate tasting by knowledgeable, passionate people! high recommendation, and very worth the price of admission
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lucas_s
Jun 27, 2024
Can't Miss Tour for Chocolate Lovers and Anyone Else - Colin and Ren have something special with this tour that should not be skipped. This was our first excursion in our recent trip and it was the BEST way to get started on the big island. If chocolate has any involvement in your life, this is where you need to be. The farm is well kept with everything cacao and chocolate in proximity to the tasting hut. This may be a newer offering but the passion, genuineness, and camaraderie between Colin and Ren is fully evident whether they're guiding the tasting, showing cacao pods, talking cacao history, and even fermenting (I see you Colin ;-)). I'm so glad my family got to spend time on the farm sitting in the hut with ocean views tasting some of the best craft chocolate I'd ever had. There was even some fresh lychee. Do this tour if you are remotely interested in chocolate or even if you want to spend time in relaxed, welcoming setting with this duo. Our group was a blast and the views are truly unique and photo ready.
Review provided by Viator
Jim_w
Jun 19, 2024
Better than chocolate. - This was nothing short of exceptional. The tour of the farm, the explanation of the fermentation process, the history of chocolate, and relaxed and extensive tasting were superb. Honestly, if you are in Hilo you really owe it to yourself to participate. Quite enjoyable.
Review provided by Viator
Voyager26425569557
Jun 12, 2024
Best chocolate tasting and tours - Great tour Wren and Colin were great! Amazing and fun chocolate tasting and chocolate farm tour! And island must. And Darwin cant forget him. The star of the show.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jilda_g
Jun 10, 2024
Sweetness! - Colin and Wrenn are so passionate and devoted to their craft. My husband, 2 granddaughters and I loved the experience. And Darwin was an added treat, sweet boy! Thank you for a great day!
Review provided by Viator
D3568jlwendym
Jun 8, 2024
Chocolate Paradise - We had a fantastic time at Honolii Orchards Farm. Wrenn and Colin were excellent hosts. We learned about the history of chocolate and the complex process involved in growing, harvesting, and fermenting it. Our hosts shared a wealth of information about every aspect of chocolate production. For the tasting, we were seated at a square bar with a beautiful place setting, surrounded by stunning views of the farm and forest. The hosts kept the group size small and intimate, happily answering all our questions. Their enthusiasm for chocolate is contagious. We tasted many delicious chocolate samples from the Big Island and Oahu. Don't miss out on this tour! It was the highlight of our stay in Hilo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rcy72knwgw
May 30, 2024
Don’t skip this incredible tour! - This tour was one of the biggest highlights of our trip. Colin and Wrenn were so knowledgeable and engaging the entire time we were there. We learned more about the history of cacao than we ever thought there was to know, and got a fabulous sprinkling of the more scientific side as well! This was topped by beautiful surroundings and a journey through the tasty offering of the cacao fruit, from the pod to the chocolate. If you do a tour on your trip to the Big Island, this should definitely be the one you book!
Review provided by Viator
John
May 23, 2024
Unique and fun cacao farm to yummy chocolate bar experience. - This is a great experience to acquire understanding of the history of the cacao bean and how it has impacted history. The two guides through this journey, Colin and Ren, shared their knowledge of and passion for the process of nurturing quality cacao beans from farm to the yummy chocolate products we all enjoy. This is a perfectly balanced tour; sharing knowledge with a fun chocolate tasting experience. Tasting the varieties of chocolate was delightful whether or not you have a connoisseur’s palette or just plain enjoy eating dang good chocolate! We highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 14 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today