Current Press Kit

FROM FARM TO TABLESIDE

Hawai‘i Island’s Tasty Take on Tourism

Hawai‘i’s Big Island – A new industry is taking root on Hawai‘i’s Big Island. Eager to share one of the most fertile and ecologically diverse natural environments in the world and its idyllic island allure with travelers, the visitor industry has teamed up with local farmers for an unparalleled experience.

A blend of travel and agriculture, “agtourism” appeals to those who want to sink their teeth into the flavors of Hawai‘i Island. Tours, including farm-fresh tastings, educational presentations about remarkable Hawai‘i Island products, harvesting, and the opportunity to connect with local people and customs, are just a few ingredients that make agtourism one of the most appealing trends in travel.

Annual agriculture sales in Hawai‘i contribute $1.94 billion to the economy, and “ag” is the state’s second largest industry (tourism is number one). Hawai‘i’s Big Island accounts for one million of the state’s 1.8 million acres dedicated to diversified agriculture production, and is home to all but two of the world’s 13 main climatic regions, making it an agricultural paradise. The Big Island is a worldwide leader in harvesting macadamia nuts and orchids and is the only place in the United States where vanilla, cacao beans, and gourmet coffee are grown commercially. Lesser known, but yielding equally scrumptious products, are the island’s innovative aquaculture, mushroom, honey, tropical fruit and wine ventures. This bounty makes agtourism on Hawai‘i’s Big Island exceptional, and unmatched.

Realizing the potential of a collaboration between the farming and tourism industries, the Big Island Farm Bureau created Hawai‘i AgVentures, www.hawaiiagventures.com, a project that addresses the visitor’s desire to not only see, but to experience Hawai‘i first-hand. Lorie Farrell, administrator for the Big Island Farm Bureau, explains that AgVentures facilitates on-site farm visits, group excursions, and single-car referrals to expertly coordinate the interests of visitors with specific farms.

“Hawai‘i AgVentures invites visitors to see how some of Hawai‘i Island’s finest products are made while supporting the marketing operations, profitability, and sustainability of local farmers,” Farrell said.

The comprehensive Mauka to Makai (mountain to sea) agventure begins at Parker Ranch (www.parkerranch.com), one of the largest, most historic cattle ranches in the U.S. and continues on into the heart of Kamuela’s Hawaiian Homestead Lands to the picturesque Honopua Farm. After an intimate, family-member led tour, featuring organic vegetables and Waimea lavender, guests indulge in a delectable lunch at Merriman’s Restaurant (www.merrimanshawaii.com), famous for its fresh Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine. The tour concludes on the Kona Coast with an investigation of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority (www.keaholepoint.org), an ocean science and technology park where activities range from deep-ocean energy generation and whale research to farming abalone, lobsters, and micro-algae. Of course sojourners wanting to design their own agventure have many choices of farms, facilities, markets, and gardens to graze their way around the entire island. Visit www.bigisland.org/ag-tourism for information.
Visitors with a sweet tooth will delight in Hawai‘i’s newest culinary wonder: Hawaiian vanilla. The Hawaiian Vanilla Company (www.hawaiianvanilla.com), cultivates, hand-pollinates, and distributes its seductive Hawaiian vanilla from the Reddekopp family-owned mill on the Hāmākua Coast. A gallery and gift shop are open Monday through Friday and the family hosts a variety of tours from an upcountry tea brunch to a gourmet four-course luncheon, each accompanied by an in-depth presentation on how vanilla orchids are grown.

An eye-opening excursion along the Kona Coffee Belt is another visitor must-do. The narrow stretch of land, approximately two miles wide, runs parallel to the ocean and is peppered with about 650 farms cultivating robust Kona coffee on the western slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualālai. Many coffee farms and mills are open to visitors and offer the opportunity to learn how coffee is hand-picked and roasted. A more theatrical tour can be found at The Kona Coffee Living History Farm (www.konahistorical.org/tours-farm.html) where visitors walk through the coffee and macadamia nut orchards, tour the historic farmhouse, and visit with the donkey and chickens while costumed interpreters “talk story” and answer questions. In East Hawai‘i, which once boasted 6,000 acres of coffee, visitors can learn how the *Hilo Coffee Mill*’s commitment to resurrecting East Hawai‘i coffees, is putting 100% Ka‘ū, Hāmākua and Puna varieties on the worldwide coffee map, www.hilocoffeemill.com

Although the Ka‘ū coffee and agricultural movement is young and emerging, there is a way to connect to the local experience now. The luxurious Kalaekilohana Bed and Breakfast sells seven exceptional Ka‘ū coffees – some have earned top honors at the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) awards – and features the coffees for breakfast and in afternoon tastings that are open to the public. The innkeepers can arrange a visit to the farms above Pahala, or have a farmer on hand for tasting day. Stay with them and you’ll have access to cultural workshops and a bounty of local foods. (www.kau-hawaii.com)

In addition to specific tours, the Big Island is home to a crop of ag and culinary festivals. The annual Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range (www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/taste) stars the finest culinary talents showcasing the abundance and diversity of Hawai‘i Island’s agricultural products. Extraordinary dishes using locally grown range-fed meats are complemented by fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. This year’s eating extravaganza takes place Sept. 18 at the Hilton Waikaloa Village Resort. And no one should miss the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaii’s longest-running culinary festival, and the only coffee festival in the U.S. This year’s event takes place Nov. 6-15, and features more than 50 events including tastings, art exhibits, cupping competition, farm tours, contests, and parades. (www.konacoffeefest.com)

Some visitors want it all: the locally-grown produce, the savory treats, the specialty gifts, and the fresh-cut flowers. With about 20 farmers markets located around the Big Island it is easy to get just that. These charming local markets can often be found tucked under banyan trees and in quaint little towns and are a sure thing if what you desire is local and fresh. Can’t make it to one of the markets and still have a hankering for local fare? Visit one of the six KTA Super Stores (www.ktasuperstores.com) located on the Big Island and look for the Mountain Apple Brand® label for food products grown, processed or manufactured in Hawai‘i.

To find out more about the Island of Hawai‘i’s diversity of agriculture, accommodations and activities, visit www.bigisland.org.

Special note to media: The Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the modern Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Kīlauea). However, BIVB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.

For more information on Hawai‘i’s Big Island, please visit www.bigisland.org
Online press kit at media.bigisland.org