Nestled on Hawaiʻi Island’s lush Hāmākua Coast, Honokaʻa Chocolate Co. turns estate-grown cacao into some of the islands’ most awarded bars. Founder and former scientist Mike Pollard blends precise craftsmanship with genuine aloha...
Mike Pollard brings his aerospace engineering background and family farming heritage to creating premium chocolate that visitors consistently call world-class. His farm tours stand out for their intimate, educational approach where you learn directly from the chocolatier himself rather than staff guides. The experience includes walking through the cacao orchard to understand different tree varieties, then heading to the processing facility to see how beans become finished bars. Tasting sessions let you compare multiple chocolate varieties and learn proper tasting techniques to appreciate subtle flavor differences. The tour runs about two hours and requires advance reservation. Most guests find Mike's knowledge impressive and his passion infectious, though a few felt the presentation could be more concise. If you stop by the retail store without booking a tour, expect a small space focused primarily on purchasing chocolate bars rather than demonstrations or interactive elements. The generous tastings during tours give you plenty of opportunity to find your favorite before buying, and many visitors leave with several bars to take home after discovering the quality difference in craft chocolate.