Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center — Local services in Hawaii

Pecking Paradise at Mauna Loa!

Chirp, chirp! Aloha, fellow feathered friends and curious humans alike!

As a Hawaiian Sparrow who flits through the trees of this beautiful island, I've seen my fair share of places, but the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory is truly a special perch! From my vantage point in the treetops, it's easy to see why this place is such a treat.

First off, the aroma wafting through the air is irresistible! The scent of freshly roasted macadamia nuts draws you in, even from high above. I often find myself fluttering down to get a closer look (and maybe a stray crumb or two—who can resist?).

The grounds surrounding the factory are lush and inviting, filled with tall trees that provide perfect resting spots for birds like me. The macadamia orchards are a sight to behold—endless rows of trees bearing those delicious nuts that humans seem to love so much. I can see why they flock here!

The factory itself is bustling with activity, as visitors take tours to learn how those nuts are harvested, processed, and turned into a variety of tasty treats. And let me tell you, the variety is impressive! From chocolate-covered macadamias to savory snacks, the options seem endless. I've noticed that humans leave with big smiles and bags full of goodies. They must be as happy as I am when I find a particularly juicy berry!

One thing that really stands out is how friendly and welcoming everyone is. The staff are always cheerful, sharing stories and facts with the visitors. They even care about the natural surroundings, ensuring that the area stays a haven for local wildlife like me.

In my travels, I've seen many places, but Mauna Loa is one where nature and humans coexist in harmony. It's a place where the land is respected, the air is sweet, and the nuts are plentiful. Whether you're a bird, a human, or anything in between, this is one spot you don't want to miss!

Chirp...

While I haven't been to the factory in Hilo, I've eaten my fair share of macadamia nuts from Mauna Loa. They sell a variety of dry roasted and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts in cans and pouches of different sizes.

BRIEF HISTORY: Planting started in 1946 with its first harvest 10 years later. The company has changed hands over the years, once owned by C. Brewer & Co. (one a big Hawaii territory-based company), Hershey, and currently owned by Hawaiian Host.

MY FAVORITES: Maui Onion & Garlic If you're on Maui, the best place to buy these are at Long's Drug in Maui Mall as the 10 ounce bags are always on sale for $9.99. These are dry roasted macadamia nuts coated in a heavenly, salty seasoning. Most of the nuts are halved but you get a whole piece once in a while.

Sea Salt Simply seasoned with salt, you get the full flavor spectrum of the macadamia nut in this one.

Honey Roasted I love honey roasted peanuts but for some reason don't enjoy them as much with mac nuts. The flavors are similar, a mix of sweet and savory and a bit sticky when chewing.

Chocolate-Covered Unlike parent company Hawaiian Host, the Mauna Loa version are individually coated balls rather than larger clusters of chocolate. I prefer the latter as more chocolate is always better!

TIPS: Costco Kahului sells a big tub of snack-sized 0.5 ounce pouches with a mixed variety of flavors.

Raw macadamia nuts taste absolutely delish. If you ever get a chance to try some, I highly recommend it.

OVERALL: The best choice for dry roasted macadamia...

I was excited to visit here since I love macadamia nuts! For about 2 miles leading to the center, you see tree after three of macadamia nuts! So naturally you assume that’s where they get them from. Turns out that’s not the case. I was told that they source them from other parts of the farm. That’s not exactly true either. It turns out they are getting a huge percentage of their nuts from other countries! So misleading!! And very disappointing! I have since learned that thanks to this company, many of the small macadamia nut farmers in Hawaii are going out of business. Very sad! Also, they give out very few samples. We literally just got A paper cup holder of the size that hospitals give out when they hand you a pill. It had about 4 or 5 nuts in it! That’s it!! And surprisingly, their prices are much higher than other stores I went to, including the Volcanoes National Park Store and the ABC stores. While the woman who worked at the desk was very nice, it was a bit disappointing. And it turns out they don’t do a whole lot of processing here anymore since their main machine here was shut down because it no longer meets standards. I wish I had known that their nuts come from other countries. I would’ve made a lot more effort to buy other macadamia nuts that are only sourced in Hawaii while I...