While the Island of Hawaii, or the Big Island, is certainly not short on adventure, its hallmarks are its varied landscape and agricultural tourism opportunities.
“The Island of Hawaii is home to a wealth of natural wonders and diverse climate zones,” said Debbie Hogan, senior director of sales for the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau. “Our island is nature’s showcase with the world’s most active volcano, tropical rainforests, snow-capped peaks, rolling green hills and black- and white-sand beaches. We offer an incredible diversity of activities.”
Groups meeting on the Island of Hawaii typically stick to three key areas, according to Hogan. The Kohala Coast is nestled among jet-black and red-rust lava fields and is located about 25 minutes north of Kona International Airport. The sunny Kona District stretches nearly 60 miles and is known for its calm, clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling and various water sports. Meanwhile, the historic town of Hilo ties the Hawaiian scenery together with its cascading waterfalls, colorful gardens and famous bayfront.
Here are six examples of agricultural experiences that the Island of Hawaii can offer groups across its varied landscape.
Volcano Winery Private Tour, KapohoKine Adventures
KapohoKine Adventures, a Hawaii Island outfitter, partners with Volcano Winery to offer private group vineyard tours, with the goal of bringing attention to the advancement of sustainability on the island.
KapohoKine Adventure’s guests visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can arrange a vineyard tour alongside a wine tasting and catered dinner at Vineyard Winery. During the wine tasting, the resident vintner will produce a distinctive array of wines available only on the Hawaiian Islands.
Groups can also arrange a more adventurous outing through KapohoKine Adventures to accompany the meal, such as a four-mile crater hike, evening volcano excursion or a ziplining activity.
Ingredients Culinary Series, Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa
The Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay offers a quarterly event called the Ingredients Culinary Series that showcases various ingredients grown locally on the Island of Hawaii. The most recent Ingredients event showcased Hawaiian cacao and Kona coffee, which were then used to create a five-course dinner.
Rays on the Bay (the on-site restaurant) partnered with the local farm community and Jackson Family Wines for the meal, which also included a farm tour at the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. A similar experience can be crafted for groups meeting at the property situated on the lava rocks of the Kona coast.
Farmers Market Visit, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Executive Chef Jayson Kanekoa at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is known for his “seed-to-table” approach to cooking and also makes a mean poke dish (essentially small cubes of marinated fish sometimes served within a salad or on rice). He is reigning champ at the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival’s Best Poke contest.
Groups meeting at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa can partake in the Farmers Market Experience where they are given the opportunity to explore one of several local farmers markets on the Big Island while Kanekoa or a member of his award-winning culinary team purchases ingredients to use in a meal later that day.
Kanekoa works closely with WOW Farm Inc., and groups can also explore the farm where Mike Hodson and his family cultivate highly sought-after organic tomatoes, which are sold to resorts across the island.
Taro Teambuilding, The Fairmont Orchid
Groups meeting at The Fairmont Orchid along the Kohala Coast can arrange a visit to a local taro farm and learn the story behind one of the most significant dietary staples of the Hawaiian culture. Taro can be used as an ingredient to make everything from burgers to a Polynesian dish called poi that is common in Hawaii.
During the excursion, groups will venture into Waipio Valley and learn about the loi (taro patch), the kalo (the taro plant) and ohana (family). Guests are then asked to separate into three groups, with one harvesting the taro plants, one cutting the stalk from the existing plant and the other replanting the stalk. The activity is designed to connect the group with Hawaiian culture and the local community.
The Fairmont Orchid’s executive chef, Hubert Des Marais, can also put together specialized menus that utilize the taro plant and other traditional local ingredients for groups meeting at the property.
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
One of the Island of Hawaii’s most cherished beverages is its Kona coffee, which is made from some of the highest quality (and most expensive) coffee beans around. Groups looking to learn more about the world-famous coffee can explore the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, which tells the history of Kona’s coffee pioneers while also showcasing various farming techniques from past to present.
Groups will also be invited to sample the farm’s 100 percent Kona coffee and can purchase some beans to take home with them. The Kona Historical Society that runs the farm is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Big Island Bees Tour
Big Island Bees is a family-owned business that sells raw, organic honey produced by bees that are located on-site at the property’s bee farm. The honey is said to have a more intense flavor profile than conventional honey due to its single floral source with no heating or filtering.
Groups can attend an educational event about bees, beekeeping and honey with a local beekeeper who will perform an open beehive demonstration, showing how a hive is organized. Free tours are also available.
