Hana Gold Cacao Plantation — Attraction in Maui

My mom, sister and I came across this plantation by chance on our road to Hana. We saw signs and decided to turn into a very bumpy dirt (and rock. Sharp rock) road. We ended up getting a flat tire in our rental car which sent us into a panic. (None of us know how to change a flat)

Within minutes, the owner appears to scope out the situation. He is warm and friendly right away, offering us his phone to call AAA ( there is no cell service and somehow one AAA guy in Hana). He eventually offers to change our tire for us instead. Right then and there he gets down on the grass and changes our flat in minutes. Although panicked, we decided to go into the shop anyway to buy something. It was the least we could do for him helping us out.

The shop is small with various cool and unique cocoa items from candles to skin cream. There is a big window you look into where you see someone hand wrapping every single bar. I was unable to fully enjoy this shop like normal because I was so rattled by the car situation.

However my mom bought a few things. She asked for milk chocolate and Aldin said we had to wait a few minutes because they were wrapping up fresh chocolate. (That just wowed me, like when do you hear something like that? Truly fresh farm to table chocolate)

We get in the car and begin the drive back through Hana. I was in pretty bad spirits. My mom offered me a bite of the chocolate and I felt like my world was ROCKED. Never in my life had I eaten chocolate this rich and fresh. The chocolate was still warm and melting in my fingers from how fresh it really was. This is one of those off the beaten path, non touristy experiences you are looking for. Just a local family growing his own cocoa and sharing it with others.

Although the flat tire was a bummer, This was definitely one of the highlights of my vacation and a core memory formed. If I could go back I would take a tour and buy more things in the shop.

We just kindly ask Aldin to please add gravel or something to the driveway so that others can fully enjoy this once in a...

I don't normally write long reviews but this place deserves all of my time in doing so and I hope me sharing this with others will give them such a nice experience like we had.

We visited Maui for the first time here in early June of 2024. We were told we HAD to do the "Road to Hana" drive. It was soooooo worth the 3 hour drive of windy BEAUTIFUL roads each way.

While on the drive we discovered a sign that read Hana Gold Chocolate factory or something like that. We decided to pull off and drive down the short dirt road to see what was there.

I cannot say enough how much we LOVED stopping by here! As we walked up to a cute little chocolate store and where the chocolates are created, the owner met us as we walked up the steps and welcomed us. He was SUCH a nice guy who absolutely takes pride in his chocolates and he told us all about how they grow the Cacao right there on their plantation and went into really cool detail about how they grow the Cacao, roast it and make it into the chocolate bars they have. It is a really cool and detailed process that obviously takes a lot of work but a LOT of love as you will hear from him when he talks about the plantation with such passion in his voice. I HIGHLY recommend making a quick stop here and supporting this local-owned chocolate maker.

There were quite a few options in regards to flavors. Different percentages of Dark Chocolate, Sweeter Milk Chocolate bars as well. Different flavors such as Dark w/ Macadamia, or coffee and others. The price is a little higher than average ONLY because of the time and work it takes from plant to package to create these higher quality natural chocolates. The one I really liked was the one with ginger. You need to like ginger though. If you are going to make the long drive into Hana with it's absolutely gorgeous jungles, waterfalls etc... I highly suggest stopping here. If you are on a tour? Make sure and ask your driver to make a quick stop. You...

Two hours after leaving Kahului airport, and experiencing the most spectacularly scenic drive of my life: glittering waterfalls descending from the mountaintop, to indescribable views of the mighty Pacific, crashing against the jagged volcanic rocks 1,000 feet below, I came upon a sign saying the local chocolate store was open, and I thought what better way to end such a beautiful journey than with some chocolate.

Conveniently located right on the highway, I turned in to what appeared to be a farm expecting to buy some Kit Kat bars and Snickers at marked up tourist prices, only to find something much more incredible. It was a farm, but instead of coffee or sugar, they grew their own cacao trees (the trees from which chocolate is made). And, they made all of their own chocolate fresh there on the farm, from tree pod to bar!

Ignorant to the fact that chocolate grew on trees, I was immediately interested in the process and the owner, who lives there with three generations of family, welcomed me as if I were one of their own, provided me a tour and an in-depth explanation of the entire process, from planting the tree, to making the chocolate. It is the best tasting chocolate I've ever had! They have milk and dark chocolate, chocolate with dried banana, mango, nuts, coffee, sea-salt; it was amazing! The chocolate is fresh, and is how it should taste, unlike the processed stuff you buy on the mainland.

I have to say this was one of the most memorable experiences of my first journey to the island oasis, and is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Fortunately for me, I have family residing in Hana, so I have been able to return for more chocolate...