This tour accommodates up to 24 people visiting a Hawaiian Cacao (or Cocoa) Orchard just 15 minutes south of Kona at 79-7378 Hawaii Belt Road, Kelekekua, HI 96750 next to the Aloha Theater.
This is a multi-crop farm containing cacao, coffee, pineapples, Polynesian "canoe plants" and other tropical production trees.
You will handle fresh cocoa pods, open and taste fresh fruit and pulp you can't taste at home. We will discuss how beans are converted to chocolate and then retreat to the sheltered area to taste up to 5 samples - dark, milk, and white as well as from different regions of Hawaii and the world. Chocolate will never be the same - it will be tastier!
The orchard terrain is uneven and has inclines for portions which may be challenging for some. The route is over 200 yards long with standing or walking for up to 90 minutes.We encounter mixed rocks and gravel the entire path.
This is an awesome working farm property with masterful renewable farming techniques and every square foot is put to work. There is one portajohn for use at this time for restroom.
Ages 6 and up - While this is aimed at audiences that are adults to teendagers, this tour experiences a wide variety of views, tastes, and aromas on an inclined walk that can provide entertainment to younger kids. We substitute chocolate milk for coffee when coffee is served. There is no stroller access and is best for ages over 5 years old. As the tour is 1.5-2 hours long, please do not choose this tour if your child(ren) will cause a negative impact on other guests' experiences under such conditions.
Directions: This farm is located 8 miles south of downtown Kona (Kailua-Kona) behind the Hale Cocoa Cafe, 79-7378 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kainaliu, HI 96750 next to the Aloha Theater.
Please inform us ahead of time if any accessbility requirements are needed. The tour route is not paved and not suitable for wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.
Reservations are required at least 1 hour ahead of time - our cocoa expert prepares only for the amount reserved.
Minimum Attendance: Most people reserve the day before but if we have less than 4 signed up, we may have to cancel or reschedule the tour in order to better focus our limited resources.
REFUNDS - allowed up to 7 days prior.
No refunds for Cruise Ship guests - Cruise ship guests book at their own risk. If your cruise ship changes last minute, we cannot refund due to not having enough time to re-sell.
*Although rare, tour will proceed in wet weather, we have umbrellas.
**You can book private tours for times that fit your schedule - contact us! VERY LIMITED availability and cost $500+ per group.
Legal Agreement - Farm and Rugged Trail - by reserving a ticket, you acknowledge that you are attending an experience on a rugged, slightly improved outdoor location with uneven ground and unpredictable vegetation that may cause injury such as tripping or poking by plant and rock formations. Outdoor weather such as heat or rain may cause conditions that enhance risk and it is up to you to assess and accept or decline attendance on your own volition. You will also be offerred chocolate and various food samples that may contain allergens. It is your responsibility to disclose your allergies and ask for ingredient details when offerred any food if you have any allergies. You and your guests agree to hold Puna Chocolate Company and any farmowner harmless for any injury or illness caused by this experience. By booking this ticket, you agree to share this caution and advisory to all your attendees for whom you are booking.
Puna Chocolate Company has been growing chocolate since 2011. Starting in Puna District, we learned that the risk of lava and natural disasters mean we need to grow food in diverse locations across Big Island. This diversity provides safe supplies of chocolate as well as an array of flavor changes to coffee and chocolate as the soil, microorganisms, and weather impart their own signature influences.