Award Winning Farm Tour: Coffee, Chocolate and Unique Gifts

The best surprise here is that this is really three tours in one: coffee and cacao farming, followed by a look at natural soap making. Greg Colden leads with humor and plenty of island stories, while the team adds practical detail about the farm, its products, and the work behind them.

I like the sweeping Pacific views from 1,200 feet above Kona, and I like that the tour connects farming with biodiversity instead of treating coffee as a simple crop. The tastings and homemade products give the visit a useful finish. The main drawback is focus: if you want a detailed coffee-only tour, cacao and soap receive just as much attention, and the group can reach 30 people.

• Three subjects in one visit: Coffee, cacao, and natural soap all have a place in the morning.
• A scenic hilltop setting: Look toward the Pacific and Hualālai while winding through rainforest.
• A strong guide team: Greg, Marty, Paul, Christina, and Nancy may share the presentation and demonstrations.
• Real tastings: Try coffee and chocolate made on the farm, including chocolate nibs.
• A practical gift stop: Shop for handmade soap, chocolate, coffee, ceramics, and island souvenirs.
• A good adult outing: The tour is not recommended for children under 12 and works best for visitors who enjoy learning as they walk.

A Working Farm Above Kona

Kona Natural Soap sits on the slopes above Kona, at about 1,200 feet. Getting there is part of the experience. The road climbs through rainforest and opens to broad Pacific views, with Hualālai rising behind the farm. The dormant volcano helped shape the volcanic soil that supports coffee, cacao, fruit, and other plants.

That setting matters because the tour is not held in a polished tasting room detached from production. You are visiting a working farm and small product business. The conversation covers the challenges of growing crops on Hawaii Island, the history of the property, and the farm’s approach to biodiversity.

I would allow extra time for the drive and the views before the scheduled start. Parking is free, but the entrance includes a rocky area, so drive slowly and carefully. The meeting point is 78-6749 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa, and the activity finishes there.

The Three-Hour Walk: Coffee, Cacao, and More

The walking portion is not described as strenuous. Seating is available at each stopping point, and the tour moves between parts of the farm and work areas. You should still wear comfortable shoes and be ready for an outdoor visit, but this is not a long hike.

Greg Colden is the central personality. He mixes farming facts with personal stories and jokes, which helps keep the material moving during a three-hour visit. His presentation style is informal rather than academic. That works well if you like asking questions and learning through conversation.

Other members of the team may also take part. Christina has led tours, while Marty, Paul, and Nancy contribute to the farm, shop, demonstrations, and guest welcome. The result can feel more like a family-run operation than a standard one-guide excursion.

The walking route is especially useful for understanding how separate products connect. Coffee and cacao begin as crops, but the visit also shows what a small farm can produce after harvesting and processing. By the time you reach the soap workshop and shop, you have seen a broader picture of the business.

Coffee Farming, With a Wider Focus

You will learn about Kona coffee and taste coffee made on site. The discussion also covers the demands of farming on Hawaii Island and the role of biodiversity on the property. That wider view is one of the tour’s strengths, especially if you want to understand how a small farm works rather than simply sample a cup.

Still, I would set your expectations carefully. This is not primarily a technical coffee-processing tour. Cacao, soap, sustainability, and the history of the land take up substantial time. If your main goal is a close look at coffee cultivation, another coffee-focused farm may suit you better.

For many people, the broader program is the better value. You get context about the farm, then move from crop to finished product. The coffee tasting gives you a clear payoff, and even non-coffee drinkers may find the sampling worthwhile. One visitor who normally avoided coffee found the Kona coffee convincing enough to change that habit.

Cacao and Chocolate From Crop to Sample

Cacao is a major part of the visit, and the chocolate tasting is one of the most popular moments. You may sample chocolate or cacao nibs made on site, with the guide explaining how the crop becomes a finished food.

The tasting is not just a quick sweet at the end. It helps connect the plants you see outside with the work done inside. You can ask questions about processing and compare the character of the finished chocolate with the farm setting where the cacao grows.

If you have a sweet tooth, this section may be the highlight. If you came expecting coffee to dominate, the balance may surprise you. The tour’s title gives equal billing to coffee and chocolate for good reason.

The Soap Workshop Is the Unexpected Extra

The soap-making section gives the experience its unusual twist. Kona Natural Soap produces handmade soaps and essential sprays, and the tour includes a look at how the products are made. The scents in the factory are plant-based unless you have an allergy to a particular plant, such as lavender.

This part is valuable because it shows how the business extends beyond farm tours and tastings. You see a small operation turning natural ingredients and local production into products you can use at home. The demonstration also gives the morning a change of pace after the outdoor walk.

Soap is not a minor add-on here. Several parts of the tour focus on the process, and the shop carries a substantial range of products. If you already use gentle or natural soap, you may find the visit especially useful. The company also allows orders to be placed later, and one practical detail noted during the experience is a flat $15 shipping charge for a US address, regardless of order size.

The Views Are Part of the Value

The farm’s position above Kona gives the morning a strong visual start. At 1,200 feet, you can look out over the Pacific coastline, then turn toward Hualālai and the surrounding slopes. The route also passes through rainforest, where tropical plants and dense greenery make the drive feel separate from the resort strip below.

These views are not a separate lookout stop with a long list of photo opportunities. They are woven into the approach to the farm and the outdoor portion of the visit. That makes the setting feel connected to the crops and soil rather than added simply for decoration.

The weather can affect the experience. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions comes with the choice of another date or a full refund. Bring a light layer and sun protection, but keep in mind that the farm’s conditions can change as you climb above Kona.

What You Taste and Take Home

The $50 price includes more than a walk through plants. You get a guided farm visit, coffee and chocolate tastings, and a look at soap production. The shop then gives you a chance to buy the products you have just learned about.

Available items can include:

• Handmade soaps
• Essential sprays
• Farm-produced coffee
• Chocolate and cacao products
• Ceramics
• Island and farm souvenirs

I see the price as fair if you care about small-batch products and enjoy a guided explanation of how they are made. It is less compelling if you only want a quick coffee sample or a short scenic stop. The three-hour length gives the price value, but only if you are interested in the full mix of subjects.

The shop also makes the experience practical for gift buyers. Coffee and chocolate are easy to pack, while soap and sprays offer something more distinctive than a standard souvenir. Since the products are made by the farm team, you can ask about them before buying rather than choosing from an anonymous shelf.

Group Size, Timing, and Age Fit

The maximum group size is 30. That is not a tiny private tour, and the experience can feel less personal when the group is full. On the other hand, the format allows questions, and the guides have experience keeping the presentation lively.

The listed operating time is Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon for the stated booking period. Some tour information has also referred to longer Thursday tours, so confirm the current day and schedule when you book. Since the tour is often reserved well ahead, planning roughly seven weeks early is sensible during busy periods.

Children under 12 are not recommended. Families who do attend must keep children supervised and guided throughout the visit. If frequent disruptions affect the group, the family may be asked to step aside or leave the property. This is worth knowing before you book, especially with younger children.

Most people can participate, and the site is described as easily accessible. Service animals are allowed. If you have a plant allergy, ask about the ingredients and scents before entering the factory.

Bookings for more than six people require direct contact with the provider. The published maximum is 30 people.

Who Will Enjoy This Farm Tour Most

I would choose this for an adult couple, solo visitor, or family with older children that wants a relaxed, local-feeling morning. It suits you if you enjoy learning how food and household products are made, asking questions, and leaving with useful gifts.

It is also a good choice for visitors who want more than a tasting. The farm setting, the discussion of biodiversity, and the soap demonstration give the visit a clear sense of place and purpose.

I would choose another activity if your priority is a highly technical coffee lesson, a very small group, or a short stop under two hours. The program gives coffee plenty of attention, but it also gives cacao and soap equal importance. Visitors who prefer quiet, tightly structured tours may find Greg’s humor and conversational style a little loose.

A Practical Morning in Holualoa

Plan to arrive at the meeting point with enough time to park and walk in without rushing. Free parking is available, but use care on the rocky entrance area. The tour is in English and includes a mobile ticket.

The experience returns to the same location, so you do not need to arrange a separate end point. That makes it easy to combine with other Kona-area plans, although the three-hour duration means you should avoid scheduling another fixed activity too close to noon.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. If the minimum number is not reached, the provider may offer another date or activity, or give you a full refund.

Should You Book Kona Natural Soap’s Farm Tour?

Book it if you want a warm, hands-on look at a small Hawaii farm with coffee, cacao, soap, tastings, and a good shop. The strongest reasons are the scenic setting, Greg Colden’s lively presentation, and the chance to see products made rather than simply sold.

Skip it if you want coffee alone. The tour’s real subject is the full farm business, with chocolate and soap receiving serious attention. For the right visitor, that variety is exactly what makes the $50 worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the farm tour meet?

The tour meets at 78-6749 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

What day and time is the tour offered?

The listed schedule is Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon for the stated booking period. Some tour information refers to longer Thursday tours, so confirm the current schedule when booking.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $50 per person.

What will I taste during the tour?

You will have the chance to taste coffee and chocolate made on site. Chocolate nibs may also be included in the tasting.

Does the tour include soap making?

Yes. The experience includes a look at the homemade soap-making process and the workshop used by Kona Natural Soap.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 12. Children who attend must remain supervised and guided throughout the visit.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 30 people. If you need to book more than six people, contact the provider directly.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.