In Hawaiʻi, the land feeds more than the body—it feeds the soul. From the lush valleys of Kauaʻi to the volcanic slopes of the Hawaiian Islands, farms here are steeped in history, community, and aloha ʻāina—a deep love and respect for the soil.
Exploring these farms isn’t just about tasting tropical fruits or seeing where coffee grows. It’s a journey into the heart of each island’s culture and stories. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, these immersive farm tours offer a unique way to see, taste, and experience Hawaiʻi.
cacao pods (Shutterstock)
Oʻahu: Farming in the Heart of Community
While Oʻahu is best known for its bustling beaches and city energy, a quieter, greener side awaits in its agricultural communities.
Kahuku Farms
- 56-800 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku, HI 96731
- Farm Café: Open daily, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Farm Tours: Available on weekends; check website for current schedule
Located on Oʻahu’s scenic North Shore, Kahuku Farms offers a delightful experience that combines agriculture with culinary delights. This family-owned farm provides guided walking tours where visitors can explore orchards of tropical fruits and learn about sustainable farming practices unique to Hawaiʻi.
The tour includes a tractor-pulled wagon ride and insights into the cultivation of crops like papaya, apple bananas, and cacao. A knowledgeable guide enriches the experience by sharing valuable insights about the farm’s produce, history, and cultivation practices. After the tour, guests can enjoy farm-to-table treats at the Farm Café, including dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It’s an educational and tasty adventure suitable for all ages
Manoa Chocolate: Kamananui Cacao Orchard Tour
- Waialua, HI (exact location given upon booking).
- Farm tours: Monday: 12p.m and 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Nestled in the hills of Waialua, this working cacao orchard offers a behind-the-scenes look at how chocolate is grown, harvested, and made— Hawaiʻi-style. Guided by the team from Mānoa Chocolate, the tour winds through shady groves, with lessons on sustainable farming and hands-on cacao education. It ends, of course, with a tasting of Mānoa’s award-winning chocolate. Sweet, scenic, and full of flavor, advance reservations are required.
Greenwell Coffee Farms (Shutterstock)
Hawaiʻi Island: Volcanic Soils, Kona Coffee, and Vanilla Dreams
The Big Island’s diverse climates—from misty rainforests to sunny lava fields—make it a farm lover’s paradise.
Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm
- 78-1136 Bishop Rd, Holualoa, HI 96725
- Tours by appointment
Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm offers an immersive dive into the world of 100% Kona coffee. You can sip and learn with a variety of tours that blend hands-on fun and local flavor. The signature farm tour takes you from seed to sip with unlimited tastings and sweet treats, while the Paniolo Roasting Tour lets you channel your inner Hawaiian cowboy and roast your own beans. Want to up your barista game? Book the “Brew Your Best Cup” session. Feeling artsy? The Paint n’ Sip experience pairs coffee with creativity for a chill, caffeine-fueled afternoon.
OK Farms
- 1570 Maikalani St., Hilo, HI 96720
- Tours by appointment
Perched along the Wailuku River in Hilo, OK Farms spans nearly 1,000 acres of fertile land. This family-owned estate cultivates a variety of crops, including coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao, and tropical fruits. Their guided tours offer an immersive experience, leading you through lush orchards and providing insights into sustainable farming practices. A highlight is the private overlook of the iconic Rainbow Falls, offering a serene backdrop to your agricultural adventure. Tours are available by appointment, ensuring a personalized exploration of the farm’s offerings.
Big Island Bees
- 82-1140 Meli Rd, Captain Cook, HI 96704
- Tours by appointment
Located in the Kona region, Big Island Bees offers family-friendly educational tours focused on beekeeping and honey production. Visitors can engage in live hive inspections, honey tastings, and gain insights into the beekeeping process.
Hawaiian Vanilla Company
- 43-2007 Paʻauilo Mauka Rd., Paʻauilo, HI 96776
- Tour & lunch experiences Mon.–Fri., 12:30 p.m.
Tucked into the hills of Paʻauilo, this charming family-run farm is the first commercial vanilla operation in the United States. The scent of vanilla beans drying in the sun lingers in the air as you tour the shade houses and learn just how delicate—and labor-intensive—growing vanilla really is. Their farm-to-table lunch experience adds an aromatic touch to your day. Be sure to swing by the gift shop, where you can buy cooking vanilla, vanilla infused soaps, and taste one of the most incredible milkshakes you will ever sip.
Big Island Farms
- 46-4033 Kahana Dr, Honokaa, HI 96727
- Tours by appointment
Situated on the Hamakua coast, Big Island Farms features extensive macadamia nut orchards and diverse permaculture gardens. Their guided tours include tastings of fresh fruits and educational insights into regenerative farming practices, offering a unique farm experience.
Greenwell Farms
- 81-6581 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, HI 96750
- Tour times: Daily every half hour starting at 9 a.m until 3 p.m
Established in 1850, Greenwell Farms stands as a pillar in Kona‘s coffee heritage as a renowned coffee farm. Their complimentary guided tours provide an intimate look into the coffee-making process, from cultivation to cup. As you wander through the verdant orchards, the scent of ripening coffee cherries fills the air, and the rich history of the farm comes alive through engaging narratives. The tour culminates in a tasting session, where you can savor their 100% Kona coffee.
The island’s diverse agricultural offerings also include the cultivation of exotic fruits like dragon fruit, adding to the rich tapestry of local produce. No reservations are required; simply arrive 10–15 minutes before your desired tour time.
Surfing Goat Dairy (Shutterstock)
Maui: Legacy Crops and Regenerative Roots
Maui’s farming scene blends scenic beauty with stories of resilience and revival.
Ono Organic Farms
- Hāna Hwy., Kipahulu, HI 96713
- Tours Monday–Friday at 1:30 p.m.
On the remote eastern side of Maui, this family-owned organic farm has been cultivating tropical fruits for over 40 years. Think starfruit, durian, jackfruit, and over a dozen varieties of banana. Their fruit-tasting tour is a sensory explosion, and the drive along the legendary Hāna Highway is half the adventure. Advanced reservations are required.
Surfing Goat Dairy
- 3651 Omaopio Rd., Kula, HI 96790
- Tours Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Located on the slopes of Haleakalā in Kula, Surfing Goat Dairy offers interactive tours of their working goat farm. Visitors can meet the goats, learn about the cheese-making process, and sample a variety of award-winning goat cheeses. The farm provides a delightful experience for all ages, combining education with the joy of interacting with friendly animals.
Kauaʻi: Island of Abundance, Exotic Fruits, and Aloha ʻĀina
Kauaʻi, the oldest and greenest island, is home to some of Hawaiʻi’s most vibrant farms—and its deep roots in Hawaiian agriculture.
Waipā Foundation
- 5-5785 Kūhiō Hwy., Hanalei, HI 96714
- Tours Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Nestled in the Haleleʻa moku (district), Waipā is more than a farm—it’s a cultural and ecological learning hub. This Native Hawaiian–led nonprofit stewards 1,600 acres of ahupuaʻa (traditional land division) and hosts informative tours focused on traditional foods, watershed restoration, and community farming. On any given day, you may harvest kalo, plant crops, or learn to pound poi. It’s deeply grounding.
Lydgate Farms Chocolate and Honey Tour
- 5730 Olohena Rd., Kapaʻa, HI 96746
- Tours: Monday–Friday, with tours starting at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m, and 12 p.m.
Nestled in the lush landscapes of Kapaʻa, Lydgate Farms invites visitors to explore the world of Hawaiian cacao and honey. This fifth-generation family-owned farm offers a comprehensive tour of cacao trees, the intricate process of chocolate making, and the production of tropical honey.
As you meander the orchards, the aroma of blooming cacao flowers fills the air, along with the gentle hum of bees that underscores the farm’s dedication to sustainable practices. The tour culminates in a delightful tasting session, featuring the award-winning single-origin chocolates and distinctive tropical honeys. Advance reservations are recommended.
Ono Organic Farms
- 149 Hana Hwy, Hana, HI 96713
- Tours: Monday–Friday, with tours starting at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Located in the lush Hana region, Ono Organic Farms is a family-owned operation that has been cultivating organic produce for over 30 years. The farm is renowned for its diverse array of tropical fruits, including star fruit, which showcases the island’s agricultural richness. A guided tour highlights the farm’s sustainable practices and offers a chance to taste fresh, organic produce straight from the source.
Tips for Your Farm Adventures
- Dress the part: Wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and light layers. Many farms are in higher elevations or have rapidly changing weather.
- Book ahead: Some of the best experiences are by appointment only and offer limited group sizes.
- Respect the land: Follow your guide’s instructions to avoid stepping on crops, and leave no trace.
- Listen and learn: Many farms are living cultural sites. The stories you hear are just as important as what you taste.
- Free tours: Take advantage of the free tours available at many farms. No reservations are required, but it’s best to arrive a little early to join.
