Chocoholics and candy lovers, rejoice! Hawai‘i is the only U.S. state where cacao is grown, and there are several places on O‘ahu where you can savor island-grown chocolate and candies. Make a stop at WAIALUA SUGAR MILL, where you can taste rare, aromatic O‘ahu coffee while learning about how locally produced cacao turns into a unique kind of dark or milk chocolate.
In Kailua, you’ll find MĀNOA CHOCOLATE FACTORY, where you can observe and follow the production of tempting bean-to-bar island chocolate, and then take home a few artisan-made Hawaiian sea salt bars for yourself.
Honolulu’s MENEHUNE MAC is another scrumptious sweets manufacturer offering chocolates, mac nuts, jams, jellies and more. CANDY-MAKING TOURS are held Saturdays at 10 a.m. Reservations are required. Visit menehunemac.com.
For delicious souvenirs, there’s CROWN ALOHA chocolates that are infused with tropical flavors. They also have a souvenir tin that’s easy to transport home. And, for cookie and candy lovers, BIG ISLAND CANDIES and HONOLULU COOKIE CO. gift packages also make great (and travel-friendly) gift packages for a taste of the isles.
Whether you bite into a square of milk, dark or mixed with nuts bar, your taste buds are in for delight!
