Hawaii’s Island Treasures
Discover agricultural regions rooted in tradition, beauty, and deliciously fresh food at Hawaii’s Island Treasures. And, of course, if you’re feeling inspired after reading this, consider joining us on one of our annual guided Hawaii tours!
Oahu: Sweet & Savory Indulgences
Famed for its labyrinth of pineapple fields and one of the world’s largest mazes, the Dole Plantation offers guests samples of sweet pineapples (among other tasty treats) and insight into centuries of Hawaiian agriculture. Climb aboard the Pineapple Express train for a narrated tour of the plantation and stroll through the Plantation Garden. Delight in local Oahu flavors and sustainably grown foods at the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market, where artisan booths display handmade crafts and fresh ingredients. Cheese connoisseurs will want to go to Naked Cow Dairy Farm, Oahu’s only dairy farm that expertly produces gourmet butter, artisan cheeses, and yogurts without using antibiotics or hormones. Learn how to make creamy mozzarella and meet the menagerie of animals that call the farm home.
Kauai: Connected to the Land
Taste the flavors of Kauai on an expertly guided excursion. On an outing on the North Shore, meet the chefs who use ingredients rooted in tradition – like taro cultivated on a farm that has been in the same family for six generations. On the island’s southern side, follow your guide to savor mouthwatering sushi and meet vendors at a local farmers market. Or head straight to the Kauai Coffee plantation, the largest coffee farm in the U.S., where the beans are grown, harvested, and roasted.
Maui: Natural Adventures
Wander narrow rows of delicate lavender plants at Alii Kula Lavender in Maui’s Upcountry. These pretty pastel fields complement the sweeping vistas of the ocean. Take a guided walking tour or enjoy the fields with a cart tour, then visit the gift shop for lavender-infused products and snacks like lavender scones and dark chocolate. Swing by the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm, Hawaii’s only award-winning goat operation. Owned and operated by two passionate German expatriates, the sprawling 42-acre farm houses over 100 goats that produce a flavorful variety of cream and soft cheeses. You can sample Udderly Delicious plain cream cheese and the more adventurous Mandalay flavor: apple, banana, and curry. You can even feed the curious goats and watch the youngest ‘kids’ frolic in the pastures – sometimes, days-old baby goats are out exploring the fields!
Island of Hawaii: Taste of Paradise
It’s a little-known fact that out of 120 different varieties of vanilla, only two are commercially produced. Hawaiian Vanilla Company cultivates both and was the first to produce vanilla commercially in the United States. Begin with an indulgent Vanilla Luncheon, where you’ll be served refreshing vanilla lemonade, a vanilla-infused salad, and a vanilla citrus bourbon chicken sandwich before touring the property. For an equally sweet treat, head to the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory Farm for 100 percent Hawaii-grown cocoa beans and discover Hawaiian chocolate’s distinct flavor and texture. Top off your inland culinary tour of the island of Hawaii with a visit to Big Island Tea, where green and black tea flourish in Maunaloa’s cloud forest. Try picking and rolling green tea leaves during a workshop and learn about the ecosystem in Hawaii’s cloud forest habitat.
Ready to go? Make Hawaii happen when Fox World Travel plans your inland adventures!
