While the Big Island is famous for its coffee, it is also the only place in the United States where cacao (the plant used to make chocolate) is grown commercially. In what year was the first cacao tree planted in Hawaiʻi?

Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island invites chocolate lovers and curious travelers alike to experience immersive cacao farm tours that highlight local agriculture and the art of chocolate-making.

The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory in Keauhou offers guided tours, where guests stroll through lush cacao orchards and witness every step of transforming cacao into signature chocolates. The journey ends with a tasting of rare criollo, dark, and milk chocolate varieties.

Just south of Kona, Hale Cocoa by Puna Chocolate Company stands out for its interactive “Stroll” tours, allowing visitors to taste fresh cacao pulp, local fruits, and a range of artisan chocolates amid tropical scenery.

Upcoming Events

Chocolate lovers in Kailua-Kona can look forward to an unforgettable celebration as the Big Island Chocolate Festival returns from April 23-25, 2026, at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

Highlights include a free Chocolate Farmers Market on April 24, where local cacao growers and chocolatiers share their artisanal creations.

Guests can meet acclaimed chocolate chefs during live demonstrations, discovering both classic and modern chocolate techniques up close.

Kona Aloha Singers Spring Concert

Date: May 3
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Historic Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua

Admission: Buy tickets here.
Details: For more information, please visit the website here.

Waikōloa Lei Day Festival

Date: May 2
Time: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Waikōloa Beach Resort

Admission: No registration required.
Details: For more information, please visit the website here.

The Hawaiian monk seal, an endangered species unique to the islands, is now in its peak pupping season, running from March through August.

Female seals come ashore to give birth and nurse pups, dedicating weeks to their care on local beaches like those near Kailua-Kona.

During this vital time, seals are especially protective.

Business Spotlight

The Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center invites local entrepreneurs to a free workshop on April 29, 2026, from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. at Hale Iʻako, located on the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority campus in Kailua-Kona.

This interactive event highlights small business financing options and business support programs essential for growth.

Attendees will explore SBA loan opportunities—including the popular 504 property loan and the versatile 7a general-purpose loan.

Photo of the Week

The first cacao tree was planted in Hawaiʻi in 1850 by Dr. William Hillebrand in Honolulu, though the first commercial cacao plantation on the Big Island didn't begin until the late 1990s when the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory opened in Kona.