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Discover the world of craft chocolate with Manoa Chocolate Hawaii’s immersive tasting and education experience in Hilo. Sample award-winning chocolates and savor unique cacao tea while learning about Hawaii’s cacao industry.
Discover the world of craft chocolate with Manoa Chocolate Hawaii’s immersive tasting and education experience in Hilo. Sample award-winning chocolates and savor unique cacao tea while learning about Hawaii’s cacao industry.
Book with Manoa Chocolate Hawaii
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Manoa Chocolate Hawaii · Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii—where dense tropical rainforests meet a patchwork of volcanic soils—is home to one of the Islands’ most compelling food adventures: Manoa Chocolate Hawaii’s In-Depth Chocolate Education & Tasting Experience. Located on Puia Road, this immersive session invites visitors to dive into the complex world of craft chocolate with guidance from skilled Chocolate Sommeliers. Far beyond your average tasting, this hands-on journey traces cacao’s path from raw bean to sophisticated bar, all while spotlighting Hawaiʻi’s emerging cacao industry.
Hilo’s unique climate and fertile volcanic earth create ideal growing conditions for cacao trees, fostering vibrant cacao farms that form the backbone of the local chocolate scene. Manoa Chocolate, established in Kailua since 2010, now offers this experience in Hilo, highlighting their commitment to ethical sourcing and bean quality. Guests receive an exclusive look inside the manufacturing process, including roasting and refining, before indulging in a curated selection of chocolates paired with a rare cacao tea that amplifies subtle flavor notes.
This tasting is both a celebration of craft and a thoughtful education into the sustainable practices driving Hawaiʻi’s cacao renaissance—an area once dominated by coffee plantations now turning to this resilient superfood. Manoa’s small group tours (capped at 10 participants) ensure an intimate setting perfect for asking questions, savoring distinct bean profiles, and gaining a fresh appreciation for local agriculture and global chocolate culture alike.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or a curious traveler, the experience balances rich history with sensory delight. Besides offering a taste of Hawaiʻi’s rich natural terroir, the sessions deepen your understanding of fair trade practices cultivated here, making it a must-visit for anyone invested in ethical indulgence amidst Hilo’s lush outdoors.
easy.
1–1.25 hours.
No physical fitness required; activity is seated and indoors.
This experience is recommended only for guests aged 12 and older due to detailed content and sampling.
Service animals are not permitted inside the roasting and production areas, but assistance companions are welcome in the tasting room.
The experience runs approximately 75 minutes, providing enough time for an in-depth education and tasting.
Yes, reservations are required to ensure a spot as tours are limited to 10 guests for an intimate setting.
Yes, public parking is available at $0.25 for every 20 minutes, plus street parking at $0.25 per 10 minutes.
Larger parties and custom tours can be arranged by contacting Manoa Chocolate Hawaii directly at (808) 263-6292.
Hawaiʻi’s cacao farming dates back to the 1800s, revived recently with a focus on sustainable, artisanal production.
Manoa Chocolate emphasizes ethical sourcing and supports local farmers to promote environmental sustainability and fair trade.
Manoa Chocolate Hawaii is a tree-to-bar chocolate maker and tasting venue based in Kailua, Hawaiʻi. Founded to celebrate Hawaiian cacao, the company operates America’s largest tree-to-bar factory on Oʻahu and offers public tours, tastings, and educational experiences. Visitors can join guided factory tours to see the full bean-to-bar process, from roasting and fermenting to conching and packaging, and sample chocolates produced from Hawaiʻi-grown cacao and sourced beans from around the world. At the Mānoa Chocolate & Wine Bar, guests will find curated tasting flights, a cacao tea service, and a "Sip & Pair" wine and chocolate experience that pairs four wine pours with handcrafted chocolates and a charcuterie board. Specialized experiences include an in-depth chocolate education led by Chocolate Sommeliers and a Japanese-language tour and tasting that highlights local and international chocolates. Mānoa Chocolate emphasizes ethical cacao practices and transparency in sourcing, supporting Hawaiian cacao farming and craft chocolate production. The factory tour highlights local cacao farming methods and the company’s bean-to-bar production within Kailua. Experiences are suitable for couples, families, and small groups seeking a hands-on look at chocolate production and tasting. Bookings and schedule details are available through the company’s visitor information channels. Mānoa Chocolate provides a mix of sensory tasting, educational insight, and direct access to artisan chocolate products, making it a notable destination for chocolate enthusiasts visiting Hawaiʻi. Some experiences let guests taste fresh cacao fruit juice and explore the roasting room. The Mānoa Wine Bar team curates pairing menus for date nights and group outings.
Book with Manoa Chocolate Hawaii