The Hawaiian Chocolate Circle Tour
Spend the day immersed in all things Hawaiian chocolate on the self-guided Hawaiian Chocolate Circle tour. From rainforest plantations to tastings, the Chocolate Circle tour is a unique experience that every chocolate lover should not miss when visiting our beautiful islands.
Start your day in the lush rainforests of Kaneohe on the slopes of the Ko'olau mountains. 21 Degrees is one of the most picturesque producers of cacao you could ever hope to find. Learn about how cacao is grown, harvested, and processed directly from operator Michael and his team. Remember to say hello to the farm's resident goats and award winning bees when you visits. Tours are available Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Book ahead to make reservations. This is the old Hawaii secret spot you've been looking for.
From the rainforest, you'll head south to Kailua, home to one of the world's best beaches and Manoa Chocolate. Manoa turns single source cacao from Hawaii and around the world into an incredible selection of chocolate. While the factory tour is fantastic, the chocolate tasting should not be missed. Spend an hour tasting chocolate samples and cleaning your palate with chocolate tea. Manoa never fails to impress, and their monthly chocolate subscription boxes make a great gift for loved ones back home. I recommend the locally sourced Ko'olaupoko bar when it's available.
Traveling through the mountains to Honolulu, our third stop is Lonohana Chocolate Tasting Bar. Another fantastic selection of chocolate, this family owned business is doing amazing work expressing Hawaiian tastes in chocolate. Located in the SALT complex, this is a great spot to take a break from the car and have lunch. Redfish poké is next door and cannot be beat for delicious ahi poké (it's run by Foodland so you know it's good).
Finally, we head to the North Shore. Nine Fine Mynah's farm stand has incredible chocolate. Do you love small batches? It would be impossible to be smaller or more direct to you than Nine Fine Mynahs. Every bit is grown, processed, milled, molded, and wrapped by the husband and wife duo behind this stand. And the results are undeniable. They are double Paris chocolate award winners. Hours can vary so be sure to check ahead.
I hope you enjoy your day around Oahu. A hui hou!