HILO FARM FIELD GUIDE
Tree-to-Bar on the Windward Slopes: A Walk Through Ua Hānai Orchards and Its Small-Batch Chocolate Factory
A guided walking tour in Hilo that traces Hawai‘i-grown cacao from orchard to factory, with tastings, machinery demonstrations, and a chance to shop handcrafted chocolate.
Tree-to-Bar on the Windward Slopes: A Walk Through Ua Hānai Orchards and Its Small-Batch Chocolate Factory.
On the windward side of Hawai‘i Island, Ua Hānai Orchards (formerly part of Hawaiian Crown Hilo) runs a compact agroforestry operation and factory that takes visitors through cacao and ʻulu plantings, fermentation and drying yards, and a small-batch chocolate production room. The tour blends fieldwork, hands-on explanation and tasting against a backdrop of Hilo Bay and unpredictable tropical weather.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Orchard Walk with Coastal Vistas
The guided walk threads through cacao and ʻulu orchards with a spacious view of Hilo Bay; in season you may spot whales breaching or local outrigger canoe races as you move between trees.
Factory Demonstration: From Roasting to Hand-Poured Bars
Visit the factory to see the equipment used to roast, winnow, stone grind, temper and hand-pour small-batch chocolates, and learn how flavor is shaped from bean through processing.
Sampling and Shop Picks
Tours include samples of cacao beans, nibs, cacao tea, steamed ʻulu when in season, and chocolates; afterward guests receive a 5% discount on shop and online purchases.
What the day feels like
What the Tour Feels Like
Expect a laid-back, Hilo-style guided walk that spends roughly equal time among the trees and inside the factory. Guides move at a conversational pace—there’s time for questions and ‘talk story’—as you taste Hawai‘i-grown cacao at several stages and watch small-batch production up close.
THE LANDSCAPE
Orchard Walk with Coastal Vistas
The guided walk threads through cacao and ʻulu orchards with a spacious view of Hilo Bay; in season you may spot whales breaching or local outrigger canoe races as you move between trees.
THE PROCESS
Factory Demonstration: From Roasting to Hand-Poured Bars
Visit the factory to see the equipment used to roast, winnow, stone grind, temper and hand-pour small-batch chocolates, and learn how flavor is shaped from bean through processing.
THE TASTE
Sampling and Shop Picks
Tours include samples of cacao beans, nibs, cacao tea, steamed ʻulu when in season, and chocolates; afterward guests receive a 5% discount on shop and online purchases.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who will get the most from this tour—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Guided walking tours are offered at 11:00 AM every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; tour length is approximately 1.5–2 hours depending on questions and talk-story time. Private tours are available with at least 48 hours' notice and must be scheduled between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM HST.
Walking shoes and rain gear are highly recommended—this is a tropical rainforest area and the farm terrain is unpaved and uneven. Be prepared to be outdoors and exposed to quickly changing weather.
Tours start at the farm; exact directions are emailed after booking because the physical farm location is not shared publicly until a reservation is made. The Hilo shop is located at 160 Kilauea Avenue in Hilo town.
Regular rates: Adults $40, Children under 10 $20, Children under 2 free. Private tours require a minimum of four adults at $60 per person (children priced as regular tours) and are subject to availability; operator requests cannot always be guaranteed.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Ua Hānai Orchards farm and factory tour?
Tours typically last 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the number of questions and the amount of 'talk story' time.
When are guided walking tours offered?
Guided walking tours run at 11:00 AM every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Where does the tour start and how do I get directions?
The tour starts at the farm; exact directions are emailed after you book because the farm location is not shared publicly until a reservation is made.
How do I book a private tour and what are the requirements?
Private tours require at least 48 hours' notice, must be scheduled between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM HST, and have a minimum of four adults at $60 per person; children follow regular tour pricing.
Are pineapple farm tours available?
No—there are no pineapple farm tours at this time.
Can I buy chocolate at the end of the tour and is there a discount?
Yes—after the tour you can shop the factory shop and receive a 5% discount on in-shop and online purchases.