What to Expect

The tour begins at 21 Degrees Estate in Kahaluʻu, tucked beneath the verdant Koʻolau Mountains. Guests are welcomed by friendly guides and immediately immersed in the tranquil beauty of the farm. From the open-air gathering area, you’ll start a relaxed, guided walk through the ten-acre property, a working cacao farm designed with sustainable, regenerative agriculture in mind.

As you explore the orchard, you’ll see cacao trees heavy with colorful pods. Your guide will select a ripe one to cut open, passing it around so guests can see and taste the raw fruit, sweet, tart, and completely unexpected. Alongside cacao, you’ll pass tropical fruit trees in various stages of bloom or fruiting, including mango, banana, ulu, starfruit, and mountain apple. Dozens of flowering plants such as red and white torch ginger, heliconia, parrot’s beak add color and fragrance to the path.

Younger guests often find themselves drawn to the mini goats and bunnies, who are always happy to be petted and admired. The farm animals are part of the estate’s commitment to diversified agriculture and family-friendly experiences, adding charm and joy for visitors of all ages.

Midway through the tour, the group gathers in the shaded tasting pavilion. Here, the focus shifts from growing to making: your guide explains how cacao is harvested, fermented, dried, and ultimately transformed into chocolate. You'll learn about the health benefits of dark chocolate, how flavors develop through the craft process, and what sets Hawaiian-grown cacao apart from chocolate made elsewhere in the world.

Then comes the highlight, an extensive chocolate tasting. You’ll sample single-origin estate chocolates made from the farm’s own cacao beans, as well as curated samples from other Hawaiʻi growers and international craft producers. Like a wine tasting, you’ll be guided on how to evaluate aroma, texture, and flavor. The experience also includes a tasting of 21 Degrees Estate’s signature “Kahaluʻu Gold” honey, a light and floral treat harvested from bees that pollinate the same cacao and fruit trees you've just walked among.

The tour wraps up with time to ask questions, take photos, and browse the farm’s small shop where chocolates and other local products are available for purchase. Most guests leave with not only a deeper appreciation for chocolate, but also a meaningful connection to the land, culture, and people who make it possible.

Included

• Guided 2.5 hour tour of a working cacao farm
• Hands-on cacao orchard experience
• Educational chocolate-making overview
• Guided chocolate tasting (estate-grown + Hawaiʻi craft chocolate)
• Local honey tasting (Kahaluʻu Gold)
• Access to mini goats, bunnies, and gardens
• Time for Q&A and photo opportunities
• Shaded tasting pavilion seating

Requirements

• Suitable for all ages; family-friendly
• Terrain includes grass and uneven ground — closed-toe shoes recommended
• Tours run rain or shine — please bring weather-appropriate clothing
• Group size limited to 30 guests for a more personal experience
• Not wheelchair accessible at this time