LAHAINA FARM FIELD GUIDE
Bean‑to‑Bar Intimacy on Maui: Behind the Scenes with Ku'ia Estate's Founder
An intimate, 1.5‑hour factory tour in Lahaina led by Dr. Gunars Valkirs that walks you through the chocolate‑making process, concludes with a seven‑piece tasting and includes a $25 gift card.
Bean‑to‑Bar Intimacy on Maui: Behind the Scenes with Ku'ia Estate's Founder.
At Ku'ia Estate Chocolate in Lahaina, founder and CEO Dr. Gunars Valkirs guides small groups through a bean‑to‑bar factory where every step — from raw cacao to finished square — is laid bare. The visit mixes field‑level precision with tasting theater: samples taken from production stages that aren’t offered to the public lead into a curated seven‑piece tasting and a $25 gift card to use in the factory store or online, with optional beverage pairings available for an additional charge.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Learn from the founder, Dr. Gunars Valkirs
The tour is led by Ku'ia Estate’s Founder and CEO, offering direct insight into the farm and factory decisions that shape Maui‑grown chocolate.
Behind‑the‑scenes production samples
Visitors taste items from different steps of production—stages not normally available to the public—gaining a tactile sense of how bean transforms to bar.
A curated seven‑piece tasting and $25 gift card
The experience concludes with a seven‑piece tasting—three squares of Maui‑grown chocolate plus four choices of your own—and includes a $25 gift card redeemable in the factory store or online.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
Expect an intimate, 1.5‑hour walkthrough that moves from a front‑desk check‑in through the working factory on a bean‑to‑bar route, followed by a seated tasting on the pavilion; the pace is deliberate and educational, with optional beverage pairings available at extra cost.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who should plan around the rules.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
If you plan to purchase beverage pairings, bring a valid physical ID—alcohol pairings are available only for guests 21+ and incur an additional charge.
The guided experience runs approximately 1.5 hours; plan to arrive at the meeting location slightly early to check in.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Chocolate Factory Experience?
The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.
Where do we meet for the tour?
Meet at Ku'ia Estate Chocolate, 78 Ulupono St., Lahaina, HI 96761; check in at the front desk.
What does the tasting include?
The experience concludes with a seven‑piece tasting—three squares of Maui‑grown chocolate plus four choices of your own—and you receive a $25 gift card for the factory store or online.
Are beverage pairings available?
Yes—optional wine and spirits pairings are available for an additional charge to guests 21 and over with a valid physical ID.
Can children attend the tour?
No—children under 6 are not permitted. Parties arriving with children under 6 (including those carried or in strollers) will not receive a refund.