Award Winning Farm Tour: Coffee, Chocolate and Unique Gifts

Come for the coffee, stay for the soap. This three-hour farm tour above Kona combines a guided walk, coffee and chocolate tastings, and a look at handmade soap production. I like the sweeping Pacific views from 1,200 feet and the easygoing presentation led by Greg Colden, whose humor keeps the farming lessons lively. I also like that the $50 price includes more than a quick plantation walk: you learn about cacao, coffee, biodiversity, and a small local business making products on site.

The main consideration is focus. If you want a detailed coffee-only tour, this may feel too broad, since cacao and soap receive plenty of attention. The group can also reach 30 people, so the experience may feel less intimate than a small farm visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Three experiences in one: The visit covers coffee farming, cacao and chocolate, plus the production of natural soap.
• A scenic setting: The farm sits about 1,200 feet above Kona, with Pacific Ocean views, glimpses of Hualālai, and a drive through rainforest.
• Greg is a major part of the appeal: His personal stories, jokes, and passion for the land give the tour its friendly character.
• Tastings are included: You sample coffee and chocolate made on the property, with soap demonstrations adding another practical layer.
• The shop is part of the experience: You can buy coffee, chocolate, soaps, essential sprays, ceramics, and other island or farm gifts.
• Plan around the schedule: The stated operating time is Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and the tour ends where it begins.

A Kona farm above the Pacific

The trip begins at 78-6749 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa, on the slopes above Kona. Reaching the farm is part of the pleasure. At roughly 1,200 feet, the property looks toward the Pacific, giving you a broad coastal view before the tour even gets under way.

The approach also passes through rainforest and tropical vegetation. You get glimpses of Hualālai, the dormant volcano that helps define the Kona side of the island and contributed to the volcanic soil beneath the farm. That setting gives the tour a useful sense of place. You are not learning about coffee and cacao in a classroom. You are seeing them in the conditions where they grow.

Parking is free, though you should drive carefully when entering the rocky area. The site is described as easily accessible, and service animals are allowed. The walk is not presented as strenuous, and one family account noted that distances were manageable, with places to sit during stops.

Greg Colden sets the tone

The personality of the guide matters here. Greg Colden is repeatedly praised for his humor, warmth, and ability to explain complicated farming subjects in plain terms. He is not simply pointing out plants and reciting facts. He talks about the farm, the land, the people who work there, and the practical challenges of growing crops in Hawaii.

I like this kind of guiding because it makes the visit feel connected to real work. You hear about the development of the farm and the importance of biodiversity, rather than getting only a polished story about finished products. Greg’s jokes keep the pace light, but the information remains the center of the visit.

Other staff members, including Marty, Paul, Nancy, and Christina, may also take part in the presentation. Their involvement helps explain why the experience feels like a look inside a working family business rather than a standard plantation stop.

The format encourages questions. That is useful if you are curious about how coffee and cacao are handled, why biodiversity matters, or how a small company turns farm materials into items for sale. The group size can reach 30, so you may not receive the same level of personal attention as you would on a very small tour. Still, the staff has handled lively discussion and group questions well.

Walking among coffee, cacao, and other plants

The farm walk is the foundation of the tour. You learn how coffee and cacao fit into the property, along with the role of other plants in a biodiverse growing system. The focus is not just on producing one crop as efficiently as possible. It is also on how different plants and farming choices work together.

That broader approach is one of the most valuable parts of the experience. The Big Island is often sold through its famous coffee name, but farming here has its limits. Weather, terrain, soil, and the demands of working the land all shape what a farm can produce. Hearing about those pressures gives you a more realistic view of island agriculture.

You should keep your expectations clear. This is not described as a technical coffee production course, and one less satisfied participant wanted more detail on coffee farming itself. The cacao and soap portions can take as much attention as coffee. If you are especially interested in coffee cultivation, compare this tour with a coffee-focused plantation visit.

For a broader introduction, though, the mix works well. You see where the products begin, then follow them into processing and tasting. That connection gives the farm walk a purpose beyond taking photographs.

Coffee and chocolate made on site

The tastings are a highlight, especially because they follow the farm discussion. You get to sample coffee and chocolate produced on the property, including chocolate nibs. The format helps you connect flavor with the plants and processes you have just heard about.

The coffee has made converts out of people who normally do not drink coffee, at least according to one especially enthusiastic account. That does not mean every palate will agree, but it suggests the tasting is more than a token sip. The coffee is treated as a finished farm product with its own character.

The chocolate tasting adds variety. Cacao production is an important part of the farm story, and the tasting gives you a direct way to judge the result. You may come away with a new appreciation for how much work sits between a cacao plant and a finished piece of chocolate.

The tastings also make the $50 price easier to assess. You are paying for a guided visit, a scenic setting, several educational components, and samples, not just admission to a field. If you enjoy food-based tours and prefer small producers to large commercial operations, the cost is reasonable.

The unexpected soap-making stop

The soap factory is the surprise feature, and it is also the part you should understand before booking. Kona Natural Soap is the experience provider, so handmade soap is not a small add-on. It is a major part of the visit.

You see how the company makes its soaps and learn about the plant-based scents used in the factory. Unless you have an allergy to a particular plant, such as lavender, the scents are described as entirely plant based. If you are sensitive to fragrance, it is still sensible to mention that before the tour begins.

The soap-making demonstration gives the visit a practical edge. You are not only looking at crops or tasting finished foods. You are seeing how a small Hawaii business develops useful products and maintains a line of goods beyond coffee and chocolate.

Several people have returned to the company’s soap because they find it gentle, and the business can ship orders to a United States address for a flat $15 fee, regardless of order size. That detail makes the shop more useful if you want to buy gifts without carrying everything home.

The soap section may be less appealing if your only goal is coffee. For anyone interested in natural products, small business, or hands-on production, it adds real value.

The shop is part of the visit

Set aside time for the store. It carries the farm’s coffee, chocolate, soaps, essential sprays, ceramics, and other island or farm souvenirs. The selection gives you a chance to buy something with a direct connection to the property instead of choosing a generic airport gift.

The products also make sense as gifts because they cover different budgets and interests. Coffee and chocolate are easy to pack and share. Soap and sprays are useful, and ceramics offer a more lasting memento. Some visitors have made a point of buying generously here because they value the small-batch, handmade nature of the products.

I appreciate that the shop does not feel disconnected from the tour. You first see the farm, then learn about production, then taste some of the results. By the time you reach the store, you have context for what you are buying.

The stated price does not include a shopping credit, so purchases are extra. That is worth keeping in mind if you are visiting on a strict budget. Still, the tour can help you make better choices because you know where the products come from and how they are made.

Timing, group size, and practical details

The experience lasts about three hours and ends at the same place where it starts. The published schedule lists Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, from April 28, 2022, through March 4, 2027. Because some older accounts refer to longer Thursday tours, I would confirm the current day and timing when booking rather than relying on informal schedule references.

The activity is offered in English, and you receive confirmation when you book. It is not recommended for children under 12. Families must supervise children closely, and the operator may ask a disruptive family to step aside or leave so the rest of the group can enjoy the visit.

That policy is direct, but it tells you something useful about the format. This is an educational farm experience aimed mainly at adults and older children, not a casual stop designed around young kids.

The maximum group size is 30, and groups larger than six should contact the provider. A group of 30 can make the walk feel less personal, especially during questions or demonstrations. On the other hand, the staff has a reputation for keeping the mood friendly and interactive.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The experience also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this farm tour?

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy food, small businesses, and a bit of education with their sightseeing. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone looking for a change from beaches and resort activities.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like meeting the people behind local products. Greg’s presentation is a large part of the appeal, and the tour is designed around conversation, stories, demonstrations, and questions.

It is also a good choice if you want souvenirs with a clear connection to the Big Island. The coffee, chocolate, soaps, sprays, and ceramics give you more useful options than a standard gift shop.

I would be more cautious if you want a highly technical coffee tour, a very small group, or a quiet walk with little presentation. The farm experience is social, broad, and personality-led. The larger group size and strong focus on soap and cacao may not suit every coffee enthusiast.

Is the $50 price fair?

At $50 per person, the tour sits in a sensible range for a three-hour guided experience, especially when you count the farm walk, scenic setting, coffee and chocolate tastings, soap demonstration, and access to the shop. You are also supporting a small local operation rather than paying only for a quick viewing platform and a souvenir cup.

The value depends on what you want. If you measure the price by coffee instruction alone, you may find a coffee-specialist tour better. If you value a broader look at farming, processing, handmade goods, and the people behind them, the package is stronger.

I also like that the experience gives you several ways to participate. You can listen to the farm story, ask questions, taste products, watch soap production, and shop. That variety helps the three hours pass naturally.

Should you book the Kona farm tour?

Book it if you want an engaging, personal introduction to coffee, cacao, biodiversity, and handmade soap above Kona. Greg Colden’s humor, the Pacific views, the tastings, and the well-regarded products make this one of the more distinctive farm visits on the Big Island.

Skip it if your priority is a narrow, technical study of Kona coffee or a small group of fewer than 15 people. The best match is someone who wants several related experiences in one morning and does not mind a presentation with a lively group.

For most adults who enjoy local food and useful souvenirs, I think the combination is worth the $50. Just confirm the current Tuesday schedule, allow room in your budget for the shop, and arrive ready for coffee, chocolate, and a fair amount of soap.

FAQ

How much does the farm tour cost?

The tour costs $50 per person. Products purchased in the shop are additional.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What day and time is the tour offered?

The stated schedule is Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

What products will I taste?

You have the chance to taste coffee and chocolate made on the property.

Does the tour include soap making?

Yes. The experience includes a look at the handmade soap production process and a soap-making demonstration.

Are children allowed?

The tour is not recommended for children under 12. All children must remain supervised, and families may be asked to step aside or leave if there are frequent disruptions.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.