Oahu Family Fun: Kahuku Farms Tour

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Kahuku Farms is not only a fully functional farm and cafe, but also a place for learning and experience. In my search for new things to do during my parent’s most recent visit, I came across the tours offered at Kahuku Farms. We opted for an hour-long tour called the Grand Tour. It provided a narrated wagon ride through their commercial fields as well as a sampling of the farm’s fruits. I thought it would be a nice way to spend the afternoon and an activity that is at a comfortable pace for my parents.

Kahuku Farms Grand Tour

Kahuku Farms currently only offers the Grand Tour on Friday’s at 2 pm. I recommend you reserve your tickets online as early as you can. They can only accommodate enough people to fill the wagon and I would say it seats about 16-18 people. They offer some nice online discounts if you book early and additional discounts if you are kama‘aina, military or senior.

We arrived about 30 minutes early and took some time to wander around the property. The grounds are a tropical wonderland and the cafe itself is adorable. As the time neared for our tour, we check-in and headed over to our mode of transportation for the next hour.

Our tour guide, Judah made sure everyone on the wagon was as comfortable as possible before we headed out. There were even patio-sized umbrellas to provide some much-appreciated shade. After everyone was situated we started the tour.

Judah, who also manages the day-to-day farm operations, was equally knowledgeable and passionate about the farm. We learned about the history of the farm which dates back to the early 1900s. Two families, that had both migrated from Japan, had started their own farms after working in the sugar plantations. The two families, eventually joined forces to create Kahuku Farms.

In addition to learning about the history of the farm, we learned all about organic farming and how the individual crops are grown. There was a large emphasis on promoting local agriculture and understanding farming in Hawaii. It was very interesting and we all learned a lot.

Did You Say Cacao?

Judah took his time giving us the tour and was eager to answer any questions that popped up. After touring the majority of the commercial fields we came upon where they grow their own cacao fruit. Yup, that’s right, the stuff that makes chocolate!? We were able to walk around the trees and Judah lifted my daughter up to actually pick a pod off a tree! I never really thought much about what the inside of the pod might look like, have you? Kahuku Farms actually makes their own chocolate from the cacao on the farm and we learned what a painstaking (but glorious) process it is.

After another stop wandering among some banana trees, we arrived back at the cafe. Now it was time to get a sampling of the crops we just learned so much about as well as see what the inside of the cacao pod looks like. We even got to sample what cacao tastes like in this form. Interesting flavor and texture but I think I’ll wait for it to become chocolate, lol!

You know the cafe I keep mentioning? Yup, some more “sampling” was in our future. We ordered some of the grilled banana bread. Served with ice cream, vanilla caramel and vanilla haupia it was pure heaven. I’ll have to head back to try out some of the other menu items, everything sounded delish.

We had a great time on the Grand Tour at Kahuku Farms. It was wonderful to explore the farm and to hear the passion that this local family has about farming in Hawaii. I highly recommend you add it to your mix of Hawaii excursions regardless if you are visiting or if you live here. It’s fun and educational. Aloha!

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