Award Winning Farm Tour: Coffee, Chocolate and Unique Gifts

The best part of this Big Island farm tour is that it gives you three experiences in one: coffee, cacao, and natural soap making. You walk a working farm high above Kona, look toward the Pacific and Hualālai, taste products made on site, and hear Greg Colden explain how the operation came together.

I like the personal scale of the operation, where Greg, Marty, Paul, Nancy, and the rest of the team share different parts of the work. I also like the mix of education and shopping: you learn about biodiversity and island farming, then choose coffee, chocolate, soap, pottery, or other useful gifts. The main consideration is focus. If you want a long, technical coffee-only tour, this may feel light on coffee farming because cacao and soap receive plenty of attention too.

Key things to know before you book

• Coffee, cacao, and soap in one visit: The tour covers farming, production, tastings, and a soap-making demonstration.
• A scenic farm setting: At roughly 1,200 feet above Kona, you can see the Pacific, Hualālai, rainforest, and the Kona coast.
• Greg Colden leads with humor: His lively presentation keeps the information moving and welcomes questions.
• Farm-made tastings: You sample coffee and chocolate produced on the property, including chocolate nibs.
• A useful gift shop: Look for natural soaps, essential sprays, chocolate, coffee, ceramics, and island-themed items.
• Best for adults and older children: Children under 12 are not recommended, and all children must remain supervised.

A three-hour look at Kona farming

This is not a quick stop for a cup of coffee. Set aside about three hours for a guided walk, talks about the farm, tastings, and a look at the soap workshop.

I see the tour as a good choice for anyone who wants to understand how a small agricultural business works on the Big Island. You are not simply shown rows of plants, then sent to a shop. The visit connects the soil, crops, processing, finished products, and the people who make them.

The price is $50 per person. That is fair if you take part in the full program and plan to buy products afterward. You are paying for a guided farm visit, several tastings, a production demonstration, and direct access to a small maker-owned business. It is less appealing if your only goal is to taste Kona coffee or if you prefer a large commercial plantation tour with coffee as the main subject.

The drive up to 1,200 feet above Kona

The approach to the farm is part of the experience. As you climb above Kona, the view opens toward the Pacific Ocean and the long curve of the coast. Hualālai, the dormant volcano above Kona, helps explain the volcanic ground that supports agriculture in this part of the island.

The road also passes through rainforest and tropical plant growth. This gives you a useful sense of the change from the dry coastal area to the cooler, wetter slopes above it. I would allow a little extra time for the drive and arrival, since the farm entrance includes a rocky area. Parking is free, but drive carefully as you enter.

The setting gives the tour some needed context. Kona coffee is not grown in an abstract place called Hawaii. It comes from a particular mountain slope, with changing rain, sun, elevation, and volcanic soil. The view helps you see that setting before the farm walk begins.

Walking through a biodiverse working farm

The walk introduces the property as a living farm rather than a single-crop field. The emphasis is on biodiversity and on the challenges of farming on island land.

That part matters because a small farm in Hawaii has different pressures from a mainland agricultural operation. Land, weather, water, transport, and production costs all shape what can be grown and sold. You hear how the owners developed the property and why a mix of plants and products can make practical sense.

The walking is not described as a strenuous hike. There are places to sit at the stopping points, and the route is accessible for most people. Still, wear sensible shoes and expect an outdoor farm setting rather than a polished indoor attraction.

You will likely hear about coffee and cacao together, which is one reason this tour feels different from a standard Kona coffee visit. The plants lead to very different finished products, but both require care from cultivation through processing. The farm story becomes more interesting when you can connect the growing conditions with what you later taste.

Coffee tasting with a broader farm story

Coffee is an important part of the program, but it is not the only subject. You learn about the farm’s coffee production and then taste coffee made on site.

That tasting has real value for people who are not regular coffee drinkers. A small sample gives you a way to consider flavor and quality without committing to a large purchase. One useful feature of the tour is that the coffee is presented as part of the farm’s work, not as a generic souvenir product.

I would book this tour for coffee fans who also want cacao and soap. I would not book it as my first choice for a person seeking a highly technical lesson focused only on coffee trees, harvesting, roasting, and grading. A separate coffee-focused tour may suit that goal better.

The coffee segment also works well for couples or families with different interests. One person can care about coffee, another about natural products, and another about the local environment. The tour does not require everyone in your group to arrive with the same passion.

Cacao, chocolate, and the best tasting stop

The chocolate portion is a major reason to choose this experience. You learn about cacao farming and the production process, then taste chocolate made at the farm. Chocolate nibs are also part of the tasting experience.

This is where the tour shifts from fieldwork to food. Cacao has an appealing farm-to-finished-product story because you can see the plant side, hear about processing, and then try the result. The tasting helps make the technical information easier to remember.

The chocolate is also a practical souvenir. It is easier to share at home than many fragile island purchases, and it gives you a direct connection to the farm visit. If you are watching your budget, you can still enjoy the tasting without buying a large haul from the shop.

I like that the experience does not treat chocolate as a quick sample added at the end. It is one of the central subjects, alongside coffee and soap. That said, the balance can change from one tour to another depending on the questions people ask and how the guides shape the discussion.

The unexpected third part, handmade soap

The soap workshop is the surprise element. The farm’s natural soap business is woven into the visit, and you see how handmade soaps are produced. The scents used in the factory are plant-based unless you have an allergy to a particular plant, such as lavender.

For many people, this will be the most distinctive part of the day. Coffee farms are common around Kona, but a coffee and cacao operation connected to a natural soap business gives this visit a more personal identity.

The demonstration also shows how a small agricultural business can create several income streams. Crops become food and drink, while plant-based ingredients become useful household and body products. You get a clearer idea of how the owners have built a working business around the land rather than relying on one crop alone.

If you are sensitive to fragrance, take the scent note seriously. The products are plant-based, but natural fragrance can still bother some people. Ask the team about ingredients if you know you react to lavender or another plant.

The guides make the difference

Greg Colden is the best-known guide for this experience. His style is warm, funny, and conversational, with plenty of personal stories and room for questions. He uses humor to keep a three-hour visit from feeling like a classroom lecture.

Marty, Paul, Nancy, and other team members may also take part. That involvement gives the tour a family-business feel and lets you hear about different parts of the operation. The tone is informal, so you should expect conversation rather than a tightly scripted presentation.

Greg’s approach is especially useful if you enjoy asking questions. The tour allows discussion about farming, the island, biodiversity, product making, and the business itself. The tradeoff is that a lively group can make the timing less predictable. Some visits may spend more time on soap or cacao than you expected.

Group size can reach 30 people. That is not a private or especially small-group experience, so do not book it expecting a quiet one-on-one farm lesson. A group of that size can still work well when the guide is engaging, but people at the back may need to move closer during demonstrations.

Shopping for useful Big Island gifts

The shop is not an afterthought. You can find coffee, chocolate, handmade soaps, essential sprays, ceramics, and other farm or island souvenirs.

The soaps are especially practical. They are small, easy to pack, and useful after the vacation, unlike many decorative souvenirs that sit on a shelf. The essential sprays and other natural products offer more options for people who prefer plant-based goods.

Some buyers may want to order again after returning home. The business has shipped orders to US addresses, with a flat shipping charge of $15 regardless of order size according to the information provided. That makes a larger order more sensible than sending one small item, although you should confirm current shipping terms before buying.

I recommend setting a spending limit before entering the shop. The tasting and demonstration may make the products feel more personal, and the range of soaps, food, and pottery makes it easy to add several items. The shopping is part of the fun, but it can push the total cost well beyond the $50 tour price.

Who will enjoy this farm visit most

I would choose this tour for adults who like food, small businesses, natural products, and a good story about place. It also suits couples who want something beyond beaches and resort activities.

It works well for families with older children, but children under 12 are not recommended. All children must stay supervised and guided during the visit. If repeated disruptions affect the group, the family may be asked to step aside or leave the property, so this is not a good choice for young children who need constant activity.

The tour is also a strong fit for people interested in organic or chemical-free products. The farm’s approach to biodiversity, natural soap, and handmade production gives you more to think about than a simple tasting stop.

I would look elsewhere if you want a short, polished plantation ride, a private tour, or a coffee-only lesson. I would also check the current schedule carefully. The supplied operating information lists Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, while older tour notes refer to longer Thursday visits. Confirm the date and length when booking rather than relying on an older schedule.

Practical details for a smoother visit

The meeting point is 78-6749 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa. The tour returns to that same location, so you do not need to arrange a separate end point.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as accessible for most people. Free parking is available, but approach the rocky entrance slowly.

The maximum group size is 30 people. If your party has more than six people, contact the operator before booking. Since the tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants, a cancellation caused by weather or low enrollment can result in a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the farm sits above Kona and includes outdoor walking, I would avoid placing it on the tightest possible day of your holiday.

Should you book the Kona Natural Soap farm tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, educational visit that combines coffee, chocolate, biodiversity, and soap making. The views add a strong sense of place, and the shop gives you a chance to support a small Big Island business with products you can actually use.

Think twice if your main goal is an in-depth coffee education or a very small group. With up to 30 people and a program that gives cacao and soap equal billing, the tour is broader than a standard coffee plantation visit.

For most adults, the $50 price is good value because the visit fills three hours with a guided walk, tastings, a production demonstration, and a direct look at island farming. I would put it on the short list for Kona visitors who want a personal, hands-on experience rather than another stop built only around a view.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at 78-6749 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

What products will I taste?

You can taste coffee and chocolate made on the farm. Chocolate nibs are also included in the tasting experience.

Does the tour include soap making?

Yes. You see a demonstration of the farm’s handmade soap production and learn about its natural, plant-based scents.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $50 per person.

What day and time is the tour offered?

The provided operating information lists Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon. Some older tour details refer to longer Thursday tours, so confirm the current schedule before booking.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 12 are not recommended. Children who attend must remain supervised and guided throughout the visit.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Weather or minimum-participation cancellations may result in a different date, another experience, or a full refund.