THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A brisk, 30-minute guided tasting in Waikiki that pairs award-winning Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum with Mānoa Chocolate. Five thoughtful pairings, local provenance, and a souvenir dram make this a perfect quick dive into Hawaiʻi’s farm-to-bottle and bean-to-bar craft.
A brisk, 30-minute guided tasting in Waikiki that pairs award-winning Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum with Mānoa Chocolate. Five thoughtful pairings, local provenance, and a souvenir dram make this a perfect quick dive into Hawaiʻi’s farm-to-bottle and bean-to-bar craft.
Book with Ko Hana Distillers
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Ko Hana Distillers · Honolulu, Hawaii
Walk into Waikiki’s most unexpected tasting bar and you’ll find an island conversation unfolding between cane and cacao. Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum and Mānoa Chocolate Pairing in Waikiki at the House of M^NA UP offers a compact, expertly guided tasting that concentrates Hawaiʻi’s agricultural stories into five thoughtful pairings. Situated at 2201 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA, the experience is climate-controlled, accessible, and built to fit between a morning beach session and an evening sunset. Over a focused 30 minutes, a small group guide leads you through five Hawaiian agricole rum samples paired with corresponding Mānoa Chocolate pieces, plus a souvenir dram and a $5 in-store discount. You choose between two curated paths: the Reserve Hawaiian Agricole Rum & Estate Chocolate pairing, which highlights single-origin flavors and texture contrasts, or the Hawaiian Cocktail & Chocolate option, which explores ready-to-drink cocktail profiles alongside richer chocolate notes. Both options are 100% made in Hawaiʻi and demonstrate farm-to-bottle and bean-to-bar craft. What sets this tasting apart is its specificity. Kō Hana’s agricole-style rums use fresh-cut sugarcane, emphasizing vegetal, grassy, and mineral impressions that change with each sip, while Mānoa Chocolate sources cacao to create bars with distinct acidity, roast, and mouthfeel. The guided format trains your palate to notice how tannin, sweetness, and alcohol interact—why a sharp chocolate snap can mute a rum’s esters, or how a floral note lifts a lingering finish. It’s an approachable sensory workshop for curious travelers and devoted rum enthusiasts alike. This is also a particularly good fit for small celebrations, couples, and visitors seeking an alternative to Waikiki’s usual beachfront options. The tasting’s central Waikiki location makes it easy to pair with nearby attractions: a stroll through the Royal Hawaiian shopping district, a quick walk to Kuhio Beach Park, or dinner along Kalākaua Avenue. The bar’s accessible layout and short duration make it especially handy for travelers balancing tight itineraries. Sustainability and local sourcing thread through the tasting: both producers emphasize Hawaiian-grown ingredients, supporting island agriculture and preserving small-scale farming practices. Practical notes—bring a valid 21+ ID, arrive a few minutes early to check in at the bar, and consider purchasing chocolates or rum to extend the tasting’s flavors at home. Expect a lively, conversational tone from the guide, with tasting notes that reference fresh-cut cane, macadamia accents, sea salt finishes, and tropical fruit esters. Timing-wise, mid-afternoon and early evening slots are busiest, so reserving ahead through the booking link helps ensure your group has a focused session. The experience is ideal for short layovers and makes a memorable souvenir of Hawaiʻi’s craft scene.
easy.
30 minutes.
Minimal physical exertion—suitable for most adults who can stand or sit for a short period.
Guests must be 21 or older and present a valid photo ID at check-in.
The guided session runs about 30 minutes, per the listing.
Yes—the experience is described as accessible and is held indoors in a climate-controlled bar.
Five rum samples with corresponding Mānoa Chocolate pairings, a souvenir dram, and $5 off an in-store purchase.
No—on arrival you’ll select either the Reserve Hawaiian Agricole Rum & Estate Chocolate pairing or the Hawaiian Cocktail & Chocolate option.
Yes—there is an in-store shop and the tasting includes a discount for purchases.
Waikiki was historically an area of fishponds and royal retreat before becoming a global beach destination; both Kō Hana and Mānoa emphasize Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients and local craft.
Both producers highlight farm-to-bottle and bean-to-bar sourcing; buying local products supports island agriculture and small farmers.
Ko Hana Distillers is a family-operated distillery located in Kunia Camp, Hawaii, specializing in Agricole-style rum made from heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane. The property sits at the base of the Waianae Mountains and integrates estate-grown cane with on-site distillation and barrel aging to deliver rums that reflect local terroir. The distillery offers four main experiences: the Kō Hana Distillery Tour, Estate Farm Tour, Distillery Tour, and This Lil Piggy Plate Lunch. Each guided experience explains the history of Hawaiian sugarcane, outlines the cane-to-rum production process, and includes a guided tasting of signature Agricole rums. Visitors also have the opportunity to sample a signature rum cocktail as part of the Distillery Tour. On-site tours highlight the sugarcane fields, the fermentation and distillation stages, and the barrel warehouse used for aging. Tours conclude with guided tastings that showcase the distinct flavors and aromas of rums produced from heirloom varieties. The plate-lunch option offers Texas-style beef brisket or a mixed plate with Hawaiian and Southern BBQ influences, prepared with locally sourced Kiawe wood for smoking. Reservations are recommended to secure tour and tasting availability. Tours provide an educational, transparent look at craft rum production on Oʻahu, making Ko Hana Distillers a reputable stop for visitors seeking an authentic Hawaiian rum experience. Tours also highlight a 'Grass to Glass' approach, tracing every step from field harvest through distillation, aging, and guided tasting experiences.
Book with Ko Hana Distillers