WAYS TO SUPPORT ALL THINGS LOCAL ON YOUR NEXT HAWAI‘I ISLAND VISIT 

Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Gomez, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]

Island of Hawai‘i (February 5, 2024) —Explore the wonders of Hawai‘i Island, where an ever-growing community of cultivators is redefining the importance of creating locally-made products and activities while supporting other island businesses, community groups and events. These community-based cultivators are committed to creating, incorporating and uplifting local produce, goods, services and activities — as well as community presence and input — into the core of their products and operations. With ongoing support from travelers to the island of Hawai‘i, we can all help create an environment supporting the efforts of Hawai‘i-based cultivators and creators and foster their resiliency. 

Read on to learn more about upcoming events, exciting activities and businesses producing and supporting all things local on the island of Hawai‘i.    

COMMUNITY CULTIVATORS

Big Island Coffee Roasters was founded with a mission of fostering Hawai’i’s coffee economy. Utilizing sustainable processes for its production, the company works with local farmers to supply its 100% Kona- and Hawai‘i-grown coffees. Big Island Coffee Roasters’ Cafe in Hilo features a menu of specialty drinks and local offerings, and a pastry case whose treats include homemade popovers and liliko‘i butter from Hilo-based Popover bakery and cardamom muffins and poi sourdough bread from Pāpaʻa Palaoa Bakery, also in Hilo. Travelers looking for a refreshing beverage can try the Lemon Drop Māmaki, a local-style Arnold Palmer made with on-tap māmaki tea and lemonade. Big Island Coffee Roasters’ Café is located at 76 Kalanianaʻole Street and is open daily. Call (808) 968-6228 for more information.

Link to Images: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yspic1hn5glo6jxnvpr2f/h?rlkey=y0qg6k5juelz5brehvw2h1ma6&dl=0 
Photo Credit: Big Island Coffee Roasters

Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory (OHCF) kicked off the new year with a new product, 100% Hawaiian Roasted Whole Cacao Beans. Available in both Forastero and Criollo varieties, the cacao beans are sugar- and caffeine-free, offering a subtle chocolate aroma and taste similar to OHC’s Cacao Tea. Enjoy the beans individually or add them to a favorite snack mix or recipe. You can purchase them now in 7-oz. bags at OHC’s Chocolate Shoppe in Keauhou-Kona and online in the weeks ahead. For more information, visit www.ohcf.us.   

Pueo’s Osteria, located in Waikoloa Village on the island of Hawai‘i’s Kohala Coast, is an evening-only Italian restaurant created by Chef James Babian featuring a local-inspired regional, seasonal and artisanal menu. Babian partners with Hawai‘i farmers and producers to utilize local and sustainable ingredients — including vegetables, berries, honey, goat cheese and Kona coffee — as well as wild-caught and farm-raised fish and shellfish from the nearby Natural Energy Labs of Hawai‘i Authority (NELHA). Menu items at Pueo’s Osteria are made from scratch, including its bread, pasta, desserts, sauces and dressing. The curated wine selection offers imports from regions in Italy, including Veneto and Tuscany. The restaurant is open daily, with dinner seating from 5 to 9 p.m. and bar seating from 5 to 11 p.m. Visit pueososteria.com or call (808) 339-7566.

Link to Images: https://finnpartners.box.com/s/uh2y3n8jgsiwhfh44itc0yegc5gtkaz9
Photo Credit: Pueo’s Osteria

Founded with a mission of perpetuating sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i, O.K. Farms offers guests an opportunity to explore one of Hawai‘i’s largest tropical fruit farms. The tour introduces guests to an abundance of tropical crops — such as lychee, longan, heart of palm, cacao and spices — as well as lessons on food cultivation, harvesting and processing. Samples for tasting on the tour include seasonal fruits and mac nuts. Tour guests also visit Waiānuenue (aka Rainbow) and Kaimukanaka waterfalls. Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors are also welcome to purchase O.K. Farms produce and value-added products — including jams and jellies — from an on-site farm store. For more information or to book a tour, visit https://www.okfarmshawaii.com/

Tea Hawaii and Company cultivates a collection of Hawai‘i-grown artisanal white, green, oolong and black teas in Volcano Village. On their tea-tasting and garden tour, owners and tea growers Eva Lee and Chiu Leong showcase an agroforestry approach to tea cultivation. Guests are guided through more than two acres of Tea Hawaii and Company’s home studio and farm and learn about growing and processing tea, the stages of tea production, and the history of tea agriculture in Hawai‘i. Guests also sample the farm’s single-estate Ma Uka Oolong, Ma Kai Black and Forest White teas. Tea Hawaii and Company tea can be purchased on-site after tour’s end, online at the company’s website or through Hawai‘i Island food hubs Ho‘ōla Farms in Hilo and Adaptations in Kealakekua. For more information or to book a tour, visit http://teahawaii.com/about/tour/

Starseed Ranch in Kapa‘au offers a Tropical Food Forest and Plant Medicine Tour allowing  guests to explore a forest and orchards planted with traditional Polynesian crops such as kalo (taro); tropical fruit trees, including mango, papaya, avocado, breadfruit, lemon, orange and coconut; and medicinal herbs. On the walking tour, guests will learn about Starseed Ranch’s regenerative agriculture methods, which are helping build regional food systems and improve community health on the island of Hawai‘i. Guests can choose to pair the tour with a seasonal fruit tasting, a farm-to-table dinner or an ‘awa tasting paired with pūpū (appetizers). (‘Awa is a ceremonial drink made from the root of the Piper methysticum shrub.) Tour guests can also purchase a mixed-produce box when booking a tour, and herbal tinctures are sold at an on-site farm store or through the Kohala Food Hub. For more information or to book a tour, visit https://starseedranch.com/north-kohala-farm-tours/

The 29th annual Kona Brewers Festival is set for March 9, hosted by Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort. Held outdoors next to Kamakahonu Bay, the Kona Brewers Festival is a Hawai‘i Island experience for beer and food lovers, spotlighting craft beers from local breweries alongside tasty eats, live entertainment and a trash fashion show featuring haute couture crafted by local designers from recycled materials. As part of the festival’s zero-waste commitment, more than 90% of the event’s waste is diverted from landfills by converting it into composted soil for local school gardens. For more information, call (808) 329-2911 or visit https://konabrewersfestival.com/

Celebrating its 61st year in 2024, the Merrie Monarch Festival will again present the best hālau hula (hula schools) from Hawaiʻi — and a few from the continental U.S. and internationally — honoring Hawai‘i monarch King Kalākaua and his contributions to the revitalization of hula. Held at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo, the weeklong festival is highlighted by the prestigious, three-night Merrie Monarch hula competition, which is also broadcast live on Hawai‘i television and live-streamed globally at MerrieMonarch.com. The festival is set for March 31 to April 6.

The second-annual Kona Steel Guitar Festival will be held at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa in Keauhou April 4 through 6. Open to the public and admission free, the festival’s highlights include a ho‘olaule‘a (celebration) featuring Hawaiian steel guitar masters; a Learn-to-Play workshop with hands-on steel guitar experiences; open-stage sessions featuring guest artists, performers and music groups from around the world; kani ka pila jam sessions and a vintage steel guitar exhibit. For more information, visit KonaSteelGuitarFestival.com

Happening April 7, the Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon is an annual extravaganza of sports and fitness comprised of a 10K run, 40K bike ride and 1.5K swim. Participants swim in the waters of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay, bike through lava fields on the iconic Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and run within the Waikoloa Beach Resort to a beach finish line. The event is open to individuals and relay teams of all abilities and concludes with an awards party and beach barbeque at ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay. For more information, visit LavamanTriathalon.com.

Join the County of Hawai‘i’s Hawai‘i Sustainability Summit 2024 Community Celebration set for April 20 at the Brew Block in Kailua-Kona. The celebration will showcase the accomplishments of this year’s Hawai‘i Sustainability Summit and establish commitments to the county’s sustainable initiatives. The celebration will conclude this year’s summit with a community event that features locally grown foods, sustainable products, and live, local music and talent. For more information, visit https://hisustainabilitysummit.com/

With the theme “Mystical Chocolate Masquerade,” the 11th Big Island Chocolate Festival is set for April 26 and 27 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. The festival schedule includes a farm tour, cacao growing seminars, culinary demonstrations and a pre-gala Sunset and Pūpū Pairing. A festive evening gala will feature walkabout savory and sweet culinary booths, a towering chocolate fountain, entertainment, dancing and a silent auction. Gala guests are encouraged to wear masks and their favorite disguises and cast a secret ballot for the people’s choice best culinary creations. For more information, visit https://bigislandchocolatefestival.com.

ACTIVITIES

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation has reopened Kaūmana Caves in Hilo to the public. The caves, a popular destination for both locals and visitors, had been closed since September 23, 2023, due to a rock fall. For more information on Kaūmana Caves, call the Department of Parks and Recreation administration office at (808) 961-8311.

The Umauma Experience now offers a family-friendly Triple-Tier Waterfall Rappel and River Tour for adventure seekers interested in immersive experiences. Guests on the tour rappel alongside the triple-tier waterfalls of Umauma Stream and can swim or float in water tubes. All needed gear is provided, and no experience is necessary. The Umauma Triple-Tier Waterfall Rappel and River Tour is operated by Island Mountain Guides LLC on the Umauma Falls property. For more information, visit https://umaumaexperience.com/tours/waterfall-rappel-river-tour

Link to Images: https://umaumaexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/rappel-4.jpg and https://umaumaexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/DJI_0317-scaled.jpg 
Photo Credit: Eric Bergdoll

Hawai‘i Land Trust (HILT), a 501(c)3 statewide nonprofit protecting, stewarding and connecting people to the lands sustaining Hawaiʻi, has opened its first series of Talk Story on the Land Hikes and Volunteer Days at the Māhukona Navigational and Ecological Complex on the Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island. HILT, in partnership with the nonprofit Nā Kālai Waʻa as well as federal, state and county agencies, and the Kohala community, announced in December that it had closed on its largest-ever purchase, permanently protecting 642 acres at Māhukona. The public is invited to join HILT, Nā Kālai Wa‘a and Kohala community representatives for a brief guided interpretive hike or volunteer service opportunity at Māhukona on the Kohala Coast. Talk Story on the Land at Māhukona aims to give the community opportunities to learn about the area’s cultural significance and history as well as elements of traditional Hawaiian navigation. Visit www.HILT.org for more information. 

Link to Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ldvj6V9ZHx9u-prhCM11vN6dznWqPtSI
Photo Credit: Hawai‘i Land Trust

Discover a world beneath the waves with Atlantis Submarines Kona. Since opening its first Hawai‘i location in Kona in 1988, Atlantis Submarines has been taking guests on dives of more than 100-feet below the surface of the sea to explore a magnificent 25-acre natural coral reef garden created by an ancient lava flow. The company’s eco-friendly submarines are powered by batteries and release zero pollutants into the water or air during operation. Continuing its efforts supporting mālama Hawai‘i (caring for Hawai‘i), Atlantis Submarines continues to educate its guests on Hawai‘i’s fragile marine environment through undersea exploration on its submarine tours. For more information or to book tickets, visit https://atlantisadventures.com/kona

Treat yourself to a Valentine’s Day spa package in February with a couples massage, Adult Pool cabana and complimentary champagne at Mauna Lani’s Auberge Spa. The spa’s  treatments spotlight the regenerative benefits of tried-and-true Hawai‘i wellness methods passed down over many generations. For inquiries, email [email protected]

Link to Images: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rpaw-gqi0MStwofp5PqMG0cxhfC8ctij/view
Photo Credit: Mauna Lani

Multiple award-winning and GRAMMY® nominee, Henry Kapono is back with his 7th season of his hit Artist 2 Artist (A2A) concert series to share the stage with some of Hawai‘i’s most diverse and talented musical entertainers on the island of Hawai‘i at Kona Sea Salt. Proudly presented by the Henry Kapono Foundation (HKF), Season 7 focuses on the stories and music of Maui. Each show in the series highlights a talented Maui entertainer, followed by one of Hawai‘i’s top musicians with a personal connection to Maui and its recovery efforts. Featured performers include Lahaina resident Keola Beamer, the iconic Jerry Santos, the effervescent Kimié Miner, and duo Kalaʻe and Kalena Parish, giving the audience insight to the spirit of Maui and an opportunity to share in their healing efforts. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/819387679607?aff=oddtdtcreator.  

Kona Brewing is raising its glasses in celebration of its 30th anniversary this February. Kailua-Kona is home to Kona Brewing’s original brewpub and brewery where beer enthusiasts and guests 15 years old or older can take tours at the brewery to learn about the company’s history, Kona Brewing’s commitment to sustainability, beer production and of course, sample select pub-exclusive batches for those 21 and older and non-alcoholic options for those under the age of 21. The Kona Pub is open daily from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information and to book a tour, visit https://konabrewinghawaii.com/come-visit.

Starting February 1, Visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park can expect upcoming delays due to a two-year construction project to repair, improve and remove damaged buildings and infrastructure at the summit of Kīlauea. Park visitors and tour operators should expect delays at the entrance station, temporary area closures and limited parking. The Disaster Recovery Project includes the removal of the former Jaggar Museum which was damaged during the 2018 eruption and summit collapse, a new roundabout after the entrance station to improve safety, and a new USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory facility near Kīlauea Military Camp. Visitors are urged to check the park website at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes for the latest information including closure alerts and construction updates.