maui chocolate tour

The King's Gardens

“voted best of maui” waterfall hike & chocolate tour.

* Private Waterfall Hike * * Farm To Table Chocolate Making & Delicious Tasting* * Ancient Gardens of The Last King Of Hawaii* * Fun Amazon Style Rainforest * World’s Largest Prehistoric Dinosaur Ferns* *Easy Hike, Great for Couples & Families* *Only 60 minutes from Kihei or Lahaina*  

Where Jurassic Park Meets Fern Gully, Wow & The Chocolates Are Off-the-Charts – Beth Anderson, International Travel Writer

Voted Best Of Maui!

The Experience

• Enjoy Seeing The First Waterfall On The Way To Hana
• A Fun Two Hour, Maui Original Adventure
• See the Ancient Ruins of the Last King’s Of Hawaii’s Gardens 
• Be in Awe at World’s Largest Prehistoric Dinosaur Ferns!
• Enjoy an Easy Informative Hike into a “Amazon Style” rainforest.  
• Sample Gourmet Superfood Chocolates!
• See (Cacao) Chocolate growing in its Natural Rainforest Habitat.
• Learn the History of Chocolate. How it Goes From the Tree to A World Renown Treat! 
• Relish a Farm-to-table Artisan Chocolate-Making Workshop
• Learn about The Sacred Hawaiian Agricultural Practices
• Enjoy A Taste Of Old Hawaii, See Captivating Wild Jungle & The Ancient Relics Of The Kings Gardens Before Restored

One of the “Greatest” Hawaiian Historical Sites In All Of Hawaii -Theresa Dunham, The Official Hawaii State Archeologist

“WE CAN GIVE YOU THE BEST PRICE” “Better than can be found anywhere on line” So feel free to contact us to learn about our current special! Text is the fastest: Text: 808-633-2889 or [email protected] 94% of people love to pay full price as they love helping a good cause. But if you need the discount we understand and are happy to gift you whenever we can.

How to Book Your Reservation

Hawaii’s only waterfall hike & chocolate tour with rainforest adventure, waterfall hike & chocolate tour with rainforest adventure “voted best”.

Learn about the fascinating history of chocolate in our lovely cacao (chocolate) gardens and attend a farm to table artisan chocolate making workshop where you get to hear about how Chocolate goes from the tree to a world renown delicious treat. You also get to sample yummy superfood chocolates from around the world. This tour is a chocolate lover’s dream come true!

WATERFALL HIKE & CHOCOLATE TOUR

The Tour Come with Light Snacks: Yummy Healthy Chips, Sparkling Water & a Health Bar.

WATERFALL HIKE & CHOCOLATE TOUR: Kids 6 & under:

This is an exclusive destination available by appointment only. We are open 7 days a week with 2 tours daily: 10:00 am & 2:00 pm. While we recommend booking in advance, at times we have a few spaces come available on the day of the tour. For the quickest response, text us at 808-633-2889 to see if we can get you in. “CUSTOM PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE” Contact us for more information text 808-633-2889 OR EMAIL [email protected] Your entrance fee… goes to a good cause! Each payment is a donation that helps us put this sacred Hawaiian heritage site into conservation, preservation, and restoration for future generations.

Testimonials: Happy Visitors Who Have Enjoyed The Gardens!

“A Must Do While On Maui!” Two Thumbs Way Up!”

“We have explored 25 countries. The Kings Gardens & Waterfall Hike was the most captivating and “breath-taking” adventure that we had experienced in our many years of hiking. Our guide was fun & had a great knowledge of this sacred historical location. The terrain and rare plant life was extraordinary. We will book another hike every year as this is Maui’s most beautiful hidden jewel! A magnificent back country estate and one of the most sacred power spots of Maui! – Thank you to The Kings Gardens Maui!”

– Mr. & Mrs M.C. Brown, San Francisco

“Awesome & Have Fun While Doing Good!” “Five Stars”

“Visiting The Kings Gardens Maui & Waterfall Hike was by far the biggest highlights of our trip to Maui! Our naturalist was a pleasure to be with. This location is off the beaten path, a one of a kind original in the world really the best experience ever! We loved the seeing the secluded waterfall and remote wilderness, with botanical gardens and jungle was amazing! A mix of fern gully meets Jurassic park! We will definitely visit again when we have the opportunity.

The best part is that all funds go to charity, so we got to have fun while doing good and its a tax write off!”

– Anna & Frank Charles – Upstate NY

“The Best Activity We did While on Maui!” “We Highly Recommend”

“You know that you have found a jewel of a tour when you find your self scrambling into wearing a rain poncho upon a sudden downpour during the tour, and you still rate it as being excellent! Our guide was wonderful very informative. Their knowledge of this magical Royal Hawaiian estate was truly impressive. The land is beautiful and private as well as pristine. The rainforest was epic and an exciting experience. Wish we had known about the Kings Gardens on all our other trips to Maui, But this will for sure from now on be a yearly pilgrimage for us. We were trilled to know our visit goes to help restore and preserve this beautiful location, as they say, do good while having fun! “

– Suzy & Bill Enrich – UK, Europe

What To Expect & What to Wear

The fine art of chocolate tasting.

Like a good wine, chocolate connoisseurs can detect the slightest aromas, flavors, and textures found in chocolate. Included in your tour is a chocolate tasting portion, where you get to sample unique and signature chocolate treats.

Hawaiian Rainforest Adventure

Approximately a two hour tour where you get to enjoy the fascinating stories & captivating sights and sounds. The location boast an ancient Hawaiian Rainforest, with trees over 100 feet in height!

What to Wear

Shoes you can hike in that have traction, such as sneakers or hiking sandals. A light long sleeve shirt, light long pants.

Have Fun While Doing Good

Help us in our goal to raise $5.8M to put the gardens into conservation, preservation and restoration.

Give your Aloha to Hawaii! We invite you to have the heart warming experience of making a difference. The Kings Gardens Maui is part of an official 501(c)3 charity that seeks to not only maintain but to conserve, restore & preserve this sacred Royal site.

Give generously as your act of kindness to the Kings Gardens Maui is returned to you in physical and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that those who give to a good cause experience an elevated mood that lasts for days, greater life expectancy, and better health. Feel great about doing good, and be blessed for doing so.

Contact Us:

[email protected]

Have fun while doing good all profits go to charity.

 7 DAYS A WEEK: 2 tours daily:

GARDEN TOUR TIMES 10:00 am & 2:00 pm 

(The 2:00 pm tour is for only 4 people or more some exceptions might apply)

FOR GROUPS 10 OR MORE WE CAN CREATE A CUSTOM TOUR & TIME .

 TEXT IS FASTEST: 808-633-2889 OR EMAIL: [email protected]

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Aloha New Friends Of The Kings Gardens As this is a gift to charity given from the heart that goes to a good cause while on Maui, cancellations for any reason will not apply. You can choose to reschedule or get a gift code that you can use for your next visit to Maui ,if you give us a 48 hour cancellation notice. We thank you for your generous contribution and support. “We Thank You for Your Generous Contribution & Support”

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• Land Activities

Chocolate Tasting & Maui Cacao Farm Tour

$ 79.95.

Join the ohana of Maui Chocolate Tours, Maui’s newest attraction, featuring a guided Cacao Farm Tour and a chocolate tasting session for the delight of chocolate lovers! Your journey begins, as it should, with a cacao drink as you meet your guide at the Ku’ia Estates Chocolate Factory, in Lahaina, Hawaii’s largest chocolate factory. You will enjoy spectacular 360-degree views from their rooftop pavilion before your guide takes you to their private 20-acre cacao farm, nestled in the foothills of the West Maui Mountains. There you will enjoy an interactive and educational tour through the cacao trees, learn about cacao harvest techniques, and end this amazing journey with an exclusive 9-piece tasting of Ku’ia’s Estates award-winning chocolate. This will be the perfect addition to every chocolate lover’s Maui vacation!

Adult (Ages 13 & up) $78.85 (Reg $85) + tax/fees

Child (Ages 3-12) $69.95 (Reg $75)

Times are in Pacific/Honolulu

• Choose a date above to see available times.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Maui Chocolate Farm Tour Highlights

• RE-STARTING IN JANUARY 2024!!
• Visit a working chocolate farm in a small group setting
• Taste award-winning chocolate
• Guided tour through the cacao farm
• Enjoy incredible views from West Maui Mountains
• Suitable for the entire family with kids ages 3 & up
• Pricing & Important Information
• Cancellation & Refund Policy
• Location Map

Adult (Ages 13 & up): $78.95 (Reg $85) + tax/fees = $86.98 Child (Ages 3-12): $69.95 (Reg $75) + tax/fees = $77.06 **Sorry, no kids under 3 may join this tour**

Location: Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Factory – 78 Ulupono St, Lahaina Available Days: Monday thru Friday Tour Times: 9 am,  11 am, & 1:30 pm Check-in Time: 30 minutes before the tour time

What to wear or bring: Wear casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light cover-up

** This tour is NOT ADA COMPLIANT, and may not accommodate persons in wheelchairs.

***48-Hour Cancellation Policy***

Please  call us at 808-707-8105  between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm H.S.T., before the expiration of the cancellation window to cancel and receive a full refund.

** We DO NOT accept cancellation requests made via text, voicemail, or email. You MUST call to cancel your tour. **

Refunds will not be issued on: *  NO-SHOWS

Maui Chocolate Tour

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CHOCOLATE TOUR From blossom to bar

Chocolate & Coffee Tour An Adventure

Chocolate tour.

Small Batch Cacao Harvest…Nano

Mocajete…mortar and pestle

Chocolate ready to be sampled

Alex helping winnow cracked beans

ORGANIC CHOCOLATE ON MAUI

Come explore our “blossom to bar and beyond adventure” at Kupa’a Organic Farm in Kula! This chocolate tour will have you scamper through a small young orchard with baby cacao (ca – cow) to mature trees that will be blooming to fruiting with mother nature’s approval. You’ll learn about all the other exquisite plants and trees throughout the gardens and orchards. As all agricultural farms, we also haven’t figured out “nature on demand” yet!

Private group size is limited to 8 people. Smaller groups keep the experience more intimate since there is a hands-on chocolate making demonstration as part of the adventure. Then we explore the many flavors of chocolates that are single origin sourced from around the world coming from different latitudes with different attitudes (thank you Jimmy Buffet!). The tasting will include at least 2 chocolates from Hawaii, and after your tour, you will fully understand how rare chocolates from Hawaii are, and especially from Maui…more chocolate from Maui is waiting on the horizon!

We can bring the chocolate making adventure to you!

We can take our chocolate demonstration and tasting to your group at the hotel. Of course, no garden/orchard experience, but we can accommodate an additional product for you to offer your group.

From Farm to Bar: This Lahaina Chocolate Tour is Maui’s Tastiest Indulgence | Review of Ku’ia Estates Chocolate

Pineapples and palm trees take a backseat to one of the newer agricultural attractions in Lahaina — the Ku’ia Estate chocolate factory and cacao farm . At Ku’ia Estate, tour guests experience a behind-the-scenes peek at a rare farm-to-bar chocolatier (they grow their own cacao pods right on Maui) while enjoying chocolate from the largest chocolate factory in Hawaii. 

Affiliate disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you and helps to support this website.

Ready to book a tour? Click here to reserve a chocolate tasting at the Ku’ia factory . Or click here to book a guided tour at the cacao farm .

We toured the Ku’ia Estate cacao farm and sat in on a factory chocolate tasting. Keep reading to find out what it was like, and what we thought about the experience. 

WHAT WE ENJOYED

• A rare look at a production cacao farm within the U.S.
• Tasting presentation with Ku’ia Estate’s founder, giving us an inside look at the story behind building the chocolate brand
• Ku’ia Estate Chocolate’s commitment to supporting both the community (all net proceeds benefit local non-profits) and sustainability — while crafting some of the world’s best-tasting chocolate

GOOD TO KNOW

• Prepare to encounter a few bugs on the farm tour — it’s a tropical climate, after all
• The van ride to the cacao farm gets bumpy, so sit up front if you’re prone to motion sickness
• Guests must be able to climb a flight of stairs to reach the treehouse hale on the farm tour

IN THIS ARTICLE

• About Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate 
• Guided Ku’ia cacao farm tour and tasting highlights

What to know before you take a tour

• Final thoughts

About Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate

Maui Ku’ia Estate Cacao Farm and Factory is a relatively new player in the chocolate industry. The company was established in 2013 and planted its first cacao trees in 2015 and 2016. The factory itself was completed only recently, in late 2019. 

And in just a few short years, the chocolatier has already gained industry recognition for its outstanding chocolate , winning the 2021 Cocoa of Excellence Gold Award and the 2022 Good Food Award. 

A mission-driven chocolate company Dr. Gunars Valkirs, a retired biotech engineer, founded the farm and factory with the goal of using sustainable practices to grow the best chocolate — then use those profits to support the Maui community. All net profits fund their charitable organization that supports local nonprofits.

A sustainable cacao farm The farm itself is located in the West Maui mountains on land leased from Kamehameha Schools. The Ku’ia Estate factory is located two miles from the farm, in Lahaina.

Growing cacao on Maui wasn’t without its challenges. First, the hot and dry West Maui climate didn’t offer the ideal conditions for cacao farming. Also, the land had been depleted of nutrients from 100 years of sugarcane farming.

To address this, the team at Maui Ku’ia Estate amended the soil and planted an agroforest to create the ideal conditions for growing cacao. They also diverted water from the West Maui mountains to support the necessary irrigation. In addition to producing high-quality chocolate, Maui Ku’ia Estate is committed to sustainability, with their factory being 100% solar powered and the second largest off-grid commercial facility in Maui.

Guided Ku’ia Cacao Farm tour and tasting highlights

Editorial note: Our tour was part of a private event that essentially combined two different tours: the Guided Cacao Farm Tour and Maui Chocolate Tasting at the Ku’ia Factory Pavilion. Your experience may differ somewhat, depending on which tour you choose. 

Our group met at the Lahaina factory at the start of our tour. Parking can be found behind the building, in a covered parking lot. 

Before boarding the tour van, our guide sprayed our shoes with a disinfectant to avoid tracking harmful pathogens or bacteria onto the farm, which is only a few miles away from the factory. During the drive, our guide gave us background on the company’s founder, its mission, how the idea for Ku’ia Estate Chocolate was born, and how they created the farm.

Guided Cacao Farm Tour

We drove primarily on paved roads, but when we reached the farm gate we continued along a bumpy dirt road. Once we reached the grove, we hopped out of the van in front of the cacao field. Our guide led us down the rows, explaining how Ku’ia Estates devised the planting structure. Essentially, they created an agricultural forest to create the perfect microclimate for growing chocolate in the dry West Maui mountains.

We were given an up-close view of the cacao grove and pods growing on the tree trunks. Part of the tour included a demonstration of how a cacao pod is harvested. The group ambled through the grove and learned about both the challenges and success of farming cacao on Maui. 

After touring the cacao grove and hearing about the farming process, we walked up a flight of wooden stairs to the “treehouse” hale. (Technically, it wasn’t built in a tree, but it felt like a treehouse since we were surrounded by a forest.)

The 360-degree views were stunning. On one side of the open-air hale, we could see the ocean. On the other side of the hale, the West Maui mountains loomed.

We sat at barstool tables while our guide handed out cacao seeds for us to taste.

After we enjoyed the cacao seeds, we had our first chance to taste chocolate from the Ku’ia factory. I lost count of how many bars we received, but I personally snacked on at least four different types. (According to the Ku’ia Chocolate website, farm tour participants receive a tasting sample of nine bars.) 

I had my fill of chocolate on the farm tour, and our group still had the factory tasting to look forward to. 

Chocolate tasting at the Ku’ia Factory Pavilion

After our sojourn at the cacao farm, our tour group loaded back into the van and headed back to the factory for the next part of our tour — the eagerly awaited chocolate tasting and talk with Ku’ia Chocolate’s founder and CEO, Dr. Valkirs.

We rode back to the Lahaina factory in the tour van, and we settled in at the factory’s second story open air rooftop pavilion. That’s where we found Dr. Valkirs, clad in a casual Hawaiian shirt and shorts. After a brief introduction, we dove right into our guided tasting. 

Dr. Valkirs offered our group wine pairings with the chocolate (typically an additional fee) while he led us through the intricacies and background of each chocolate bar’s flavor profile. By the end of the tour, I had consumed at least ten bars of Ku’ia estate’s decadent chocolate. 

I have to say that I’ve been on several chocolate factory tours, and I’ve tasted chocolate from around the world (with some of my favorite being Belgian chocolate while traveling around Europe). In my opinion, Ku’ia Estate chocolate ranks right up there among the most renowned chocolates in the world. And the particularly extraordinary thing? Ku’ia Estate has been making chocolate for only a few years. I can only imagine how far they’ll get in the years to come. 

We experienced both the cacao farm tour and guided factory tasting, and this our advice if you’re planning to visit Ku’ia Estate:

• You don’t have to take a tour to visit the Ku’ia Estate factory. They have a retail store and cafe that’s open throughout the day. The upstairs pavilion is also open as a chocolate bar, where you can purchase chocolate and wine pairings. After 5 p.m. the upstairs pavilion is 21 and up only. 
• Eat a little something before you start your tour, but don’t show up right after a huge, heavy meal. The chocolate bars look small, but they’re deceptively rich and filling.
• The drive to the cacao farm isn’t far, but once you get on farm grounds the ride gets bumpy. If you’re particularly prone to motion sickness, it may be safer to sit near the front of the tour van.
• Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, or put on bug repellent before visiting the cacao farm — especially if you’re a bug magnet like I am. I wore a sleeveless dress and walked out of the cacao grove with four or five bug bites.

Final thoughts on the Ku’ia Estates cacao farm and chocolate tasting on Maui

The verdict: I highly recommend taking a tour with Maui Ku’ia Estate chocolate. If you have any interest in the agricultural side of chocolate making, definitely book the cacao farm tour. If you aren’t the outdoorsy sort, the guided factory tasting will probably be more suited to your taste.  

And don’t forget — with every tour you book and piece of chocolate you purchase, you’re supporting the Maui community through the company’s nonprofit giving foundation. Eating chocolate to help others? I’ll take another piece. 

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Meet Some of Maui’s Most Pampered Goats: Farm Tour at Haleakala Creamery

Hi, I’m Gina — managing editor, Maui enthusiast, and human behind the keyboard here at Maui Trip Guide. When I’m not on the island at my Kihei condo, you can find me planning my next travel adventure from my home in the Pacific Northwest.

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We're working on updating our site to reflect the changes resulting from the recent wildfire tragedy. This includes updates on Maui businesses and sites as we receive incoming reports. Please read our message about the wildfire, along with resources for how to help those on the island, here . Mahalo.

Maui Chocolate Tour

── guided cacao farm tour and factory experiences, maui guided cacao farm tour.

Come explore the largest chocolate factory in the state of Hawaii and learn how we produce our award-winning chocolate! From farm to bar, we’ll guide you through the chocolate process, complete with a Maui chocolate tasting in our custom hale.

Your journey begins at the Ku’ia Estate’s 20-acre cacao farm in Lahaina, nestled in the foothills of the West Maui mountains. Our professional and friendly tour guides will lead you from “farm to bar.”

This interactive and educational tour introduces you to our cacao trees, the hands-on fruit harvesting techniques, and finishes with an exclusive 9-piece tasting of our award-winning chocolate. A top-rated Maui experience you won’t soon forget!

Explore Our Tours

Ready to indulge in an unforgettable experience? From signature Maui chocolate tastings to special events, we have something for everyone to enjoy. Choose a tour to learn more ↓

• Clock 1.5 hours

The Chocolate Factory Experience

We invite you to get the inside story of how chocolate is made from Founder and CEO, Dr. Gunars Valkirs. Walk through the chocolate factory as he explains the steps of production!

• Clock 2 hours

Sunday Sunset Jazz

Join us for Sunset Jazz on Sundays from 5:00pm-7:00pm in the Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate Bar second floor, open-air pavilion at the chocolate factory. Featuring different local and visiting musicians each week, so it’s never the same show twice!

Maui Nonprofit Chocolate Factory Experience

The Sunday Factory Experience will donate 100% of the proceeds to a local Maui nonprofit! Please join us in supporting our beloved island home.

Unique Experiences & Commitment to Quality, Sustainability & Community

Located within the ahupua’a or traditional Hawaiian land division of Ku’ia, which lies in the moku (district) of Lāhaina, our farm began to take shape. Ten acres at a time, it was transformed into a verdant green by water flowing from the wao akua (literally “realm of the gods”) located in the upper reaches of Mauna Kahālāwai, more commonly known as the West Maui Mountains. We now have more than 8,000 trees spread across 20+ acres, with plans to expand to more than 60 within the next few years. Our farm provides the raw material for the world-class Ku’ia Estate chocolate. We were drawn to Ku’ia Estate due to their commitment to quality, sustainability and community, and we knew together we’d produce tours that are educational, enriching, and delicious!

★★★★★ Great Tour

This was a fun stop! They have little sample dots of all their flavors. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. There’s a viewing window so visitors can see how the chocolate is made. Highly recommend a visit! - Jennifer • Google

★★★★★ Worth the Trip

This is really a great spot. They have excellent, high quality products and an extremely knowledgable staff. Beautiful views from the rooftop area! Such a fun and unique thing to do while in Maui. - James • Yelp

★★★★★ A Must-Do!

The facility is as beautiful as it is functional. There's an open-air pavilion on the second floor offering breathtaking 360-degree views of West Maui. The chocolate produced here is extremely high quality! - Melissa • Hawaii Magazine

★★★★★ Amazing

They're creating some of the world’s best chocolates right here in Hawaii! Get ready for freshly made cocoa, chocolate blended drinks, watching the factory in action. What’s more fun than visiting an actual chocolate factory?! - Olena • Maui Watch

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78 Ulupono St, Ste 1 Lahaina | Maui | Hawaii

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The latest from our blog

The Climate Champions: Gunars Valkirs, CEO, Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate - Episode 155

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• May 02, 2024

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• February 28, 2024

Entertainment Tonight comes to Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate

• November 29, 2023

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DRAFT STR Revocation Ordinance, May 12, 2024 - Maui Forum

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DRAFT STR Revocation Ordinance, May 12, 2024

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The draft ordinance revoking STR use in apartment districts has been published:

https://www.mauirealestate.net/FILE_6952.pdf

It is (as usual!) bulky, confusing, and in the end--seriously faulty. Note the background about the legality of rentals in the apartment districts, which I mentioned in another thread recently. Also note the repeated codifications, upon which buyers have relied for decades and decades.

Here's the problem with that: you are creating two classes of owners in the same property--like the same issue with places like Papakea, Maui Eldorado, MKV, Kapalua , Wailea , and so many more. That's blatantly unconstitutional.

Not only is this impractical, unconstitutional, and self defeating--it is a stunt on the mayor and council's part to try and escape the failures they themselves own. Destroying the tourist economy here will help no one--least of all the people who can't afford the rents the "decommissioned" units would bring.

This has a long way to go, before it is finalized in some form and no doubt with many changes ahead. I hesitated to post it, but feel people planning trips here should be kept informed and have the actual draft to review----compared to all the chatter and half-baked articles.

PLEASE do not panic, and DO pay attention to the dates (July 2025 and January 2026) they are proposing-which probably won't happen due to litigation. There are several attorneys already working on complaints to be filed as soon as the final ordinance is signed and in effect.

2 replies to this topic

Thanks SW, not super worried.. I just thought the MKV, was built as a Hilton back in the day so it was probably zoned Hotel? I stay in Timeshares now, do to know taxes or resort fees making it so outrageous.

Families living in these places are not the answer, but they have to be shown I guess....... and they have to purchases these???

No, people wouldn't have to buy them......but like I said-how can they afford the rents, though? People who bought these places relying on their LEGAL STR rental paid a premium for that. Plus one has HOA fees, property taxes, etc., etc. And the small detail known as a "mortgage" for most.

The idea that removing Kamaole Sands from STR means it will be rented cheaply to residents is simply not viable. I chose it as an example because they are currently replacing all the pipes and plumbing, building by building. The current special assessment is over 50K PER unit. And it's not anywhere near done, and not the only property doing massive work, either.

There are many very, very old properties in the list. Paki Maui , Noholani, Hale Ono Loa, Honokowai Palms, etc. etc. Down south there are many more--over 4800 of the 7,000 on the list are in Kihei. Maui Sunset, Kamaole Sands, Menehune Shores, to name a few. ALL will require lots of TLC and renovations/rebuilding soon, if they haven't already.

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‘Taste Ed’ series returns as highlight of Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair 2024

Gunars Valkirs brings the company’s popular chocolate tasting to AgFest on June 1. Courtesy photos

By The Maui News

KAHULUI–The Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair is getting ready to kick off its 15thyear–and Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) is celebrating by bringing back “Taste Education.”

This special series features Grown on Maui guests and was part of AgFest’s beginnings back in 2010, and will once again delight ticket holders at this year’s AgFest on Saturday, June 1, at War Memorial Special Events and Baseball Fields.

Along with the Taste Education Series will be everyone’s favorite signature attractions, like the 4-H Youth Livestock Show and Auction, Keiki Zone, Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, Grand Taste, and Grand Desserts.

Sponsored by Fresh Help Maui, Taste Education offers attendees the chance to get up close and personal with one of four Maui specialties in four different sessions: Coffee, Cacao, Fish and Taro. Each session runs one hour and costs $5. Seating is limited at these select events, so advance reservations are recommended at MauiAgFest.org.

Be sure to join Captain Chimo Shipp, executive director, Fresh Help Maui, and Chef Brian Etheredge of Tails Up in Paukulalo for Taste Education—Fish.

TASTE EDUCATION – COFFEE

“GROWN ON MAUI TASTE THE ROAST’

Maui Coffee Association

10 to 11 a.m.

Coffee lovers, you will not want to miss this session! Makiko Nikki, Coffee Quality Institute, and Jo Wing, general manager, O’o Farm, two members of Maui Coffee Association (MCA), will lead a delicious tasting of four different roasts of Maui-grown coffees from Light to Dark. Attendees will gain an understanding of the sensory evaluation of coffee and discerning flavor profiles and what you prefer and why.

AgFest welcomes back Farmer Bobby Pahi‘a (in photo) of Hawai‘i Taro Farm, LLC and Chef Perry Bateman (fourth photo) of Maui’s Iconic Mama’s Fish House and for a Taste Education session on all things taro on June 1.

While not native to the Hawaiian Islands, coffee has flourished over the last two centuries in the climate, topography and ideal growing conditions, today producing some of the best coffee in the world.

MCA members are leaders in the highest standards of coffee production. As growers, service providers, merchants and enthusiasts, these coffee connoisseurs enjoy and promote coffee grown in Maui County through community events, farm tours, cupping workshops and other opportunities. Formed in 2005 with just a few farms, membership has grown to over 100 members, representing more than 30 farms.

Due to the current short supply of Maui-grown coffee, this special experience is capped at 25 people.

TASTE EDUCATION – FISH

‘I’A! (FISH)’

Chef Perry Bateman

Chef Brian Etheredge, Tails Up! and Captain Chimo Shipp, Fresh Help Maui

Join this exciting exploration into the world of Hawaiian fishing and culinary delights with Chef Brian Etheredge of Tails Up! and Captain Chimo Shipp, executive director, Fresh Help Maui. As advocates for sustainable fishing practices and proponents of locally sourced ingredients, Chef Brian and Captain Chimo will showcase the versatility and freshness of fish through a captivating cooking demonstration, highlighting the unique flavors and textures of fish caught in Maui’s waters. From ahi (yellowfin tuna) to uhu (parrotfish), each fish offers a unique taste of Hawai’i’s rich seafood heritage.

The pristine waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands provide an ideal environment for fish to thrive, resulting in fish that are incredibly flavorful and free from pollutants. However, the fires exacerbated fishing challenges by impacting the coastal areas where many fishing communities, boats and restaurants were based, disrupting their livelihoods.

“As a community, there are many ways we can support a thriving fishing industry in

Hawai’i, ” Chef Brian says. “ Most importantly, know your fishermen, and purchase locally caught fish from those who use sustainable practices.”

This experience can accommodate up to 100 people.

TASTE EDUCATION – CACAO

‘SUSTAINABLE CHOCOLATE’

Gunars Valkirs, Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Gunars Valkirs, founder and CEO of Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate (MKEC), will lead participants through a tasting of six chocolates made by the company. Three of them will be chocolates created with 100% Maui-grown cacao from MKEC’s farm in Lahaina. Three others will be chosen to illustrate a range of flavors that are present in single-origin chocolates or can be added to chocolate. The presentation will be supplemented with video of farm and factory operations.

Cacao trees need a tropical environment to thrive, making Hawai’i the only state in the U.S. where cacao can be grown outside of a greenhouse. Founded in 2015, MKEC is the largest farm-to-bar chocolate factory on Maui and offers tours of its unique chocolate-making process.

“The mission of Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Inc. has always been to give 100 percent of net profits to Maui nonprofit organizations,” Gunars says. “We look forward to sharing our philosophy and our world-class chocolate–made right here in West Maui–with everyone at AgFest.”

TASTE EDUCATION – TARO

‘ESSENTIAL KALO’

Executive Chef Perry Bateman,

Mama’s Fish House

Bobby Pahia, Hawai’i Taro Farm, LLC

11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Executive Chef Perry Bateman of Mama’s Fish House and kalo farmer Bobby Pahia of Hawai’i Taro Farm LLC will provide tastings of fresh Maui Lehua, fish luau, kalo chips, poke, and kulolo.

“Taro is the most important plant,” Bobby says. “It represents the ‘ohana, the family unit.” Hawaiians revered the kalo plant for its mana, or life force. Bobby comes to Taste Education from a career of taro farming. He will discuss several varieties of kalo plants.

Chef Perry will share his mana’o on how to prepare kalo and fish. He will explain the nutritional value of the kalo which is an intrinsic part of native Hawaiian culture. Brought to Hawaii by canoe from Polynesia, kalo was a fundamental food of the ancient Hawaiian diet. It’s easy to digest, being low in fat and high in vitamin A and complex carbohydrates.

“We are honored to present this elemental plant at our Maui AgFest and to help our community understand why it’s so important to continue to cultivate kalo on our island,” Chef Perry says.

In addition to the admission fee of $5 per person, tickets are required for the sessions that are part of the Taste Education Series. Tickets are available online in advance for $5 per person at MauiAgFest.org. Online reservations may also be purchased for Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, Grand Taste and Grand Desserts.

Admission to AgFest is $5 at the gate (cash only) for adults, free for keiki under 18 (with student ID). Parking is free. The event runs 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the Pancake Breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair is Maui’s signature agricultural festival. This 15th year of AgFest celebrates the vibrant and essential role of agriculture within Maui’s economy, environment and lifestyle. AgFest is presented by the Maui County Farm Bureau and Maui 4-H Livestock Association in partnership with the County of Maui and the College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources. This year’s sponsors are Bayer, Fresh Help Maui, Mahi Pono, Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, Pacific Media Group, Pukalani Superette, and Ulupono Initiative.

For more information, visit MauiAgFest.org.

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