The island of Maui in Hawaii boasts several coffee plantations that visitors can tour.
According to the Coffees of Hawaii website, "Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. with climactic conditions necessary for growing coffee." Coffee plantations are scattered around the Hawaii islands, and Maui boasts several plantations for travelers to tour. From self-guided tours to a narrated tour in a motorized tram, you can find a coffee plantation tour that is as active or as relaxed as you prefer.
Maui Tropical Plantation
Coffees of Hawaii produces coffee on the islands of Kona, Maui and Moloka'i. Maui's 60-acre working coffee plantation, called the Maui Tropical Plantation, is located in the West Maui Mountains in Waikapu. For a small fee, visitors can tour the grounds and sample coffee, tropical fruits and other products. Papaya, guava, sugar cane, bananas, macadamia nuts and star fruit are some of the products the plantation produces in addition to its coffee. You can also take a narrated tour through the plantation on a covered tram and learn about coffee's history, the origins of many fruits and interesting facts like husk a coconut. Visitors to the Maui Tropical Plantation enjoy fresh roasted Coffees of Hawaii coffee. If you'd like to contact the Maui plantation, the website points out that they prefer you to contact them through their website instead of by phone, as their staff is out in the fields working most of the time.
Coffees of Hawaii
1630 Farrington Avenue
Kualapuu, HI 96757
808-567-9490
coffeesofhawaii.com
Shim Coffee, Protea, and Botanical Farm Tour
The Shim Coffee, Protea, and Botanical Farm Tour, situated 3,500 feet above sea level, shows you a real working farm located in Kula on the island of Maui. Visitors can view coffee-processing equipment as well as the coffee trees and beans. Appointments are required for individual or group tours during the coffee season (February 1 through July 31). Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors over 55 and children over age 6. According to Shim's website, you'll learn about coffee, proteas (a Hawaiian exotic flower) and the history of the Chinese in Kula. After the talk, you'll be able to walk through the farm. The staff recommends comfortable clothing and sunscreen. While on the farm, you can purchase your own Shim Pure Coffee, protea flowers and a variety of in-season fruits.
Shim Coffee, Protea, and Botanical Farm Tour
625 Middle Road
Maui, Hawaii 96790
808-876-0055
Shimfarmtour.com
Ka'anapali Coffee Farms
The Ka'anapali Estate, located in the West Maui Mountains near the town of Lahaina, produces 100% Maui Origin coffee through the MauiGrown Coffee Company. The plantation harvested its first crop of coffee in 2004 and produces Red Catuai, Yellow Caturra, Typica and Moka varieties of coffee. Visit the MauiGrown Coffee Company Store and pick up a coffee tour brochure, then head down the road to the Ka'anapali Coffee Farms. On the self-guided tour, you'll view coffee trees and learn about MauiGrown's Maui origin coffee. There's also information in the brochure about the Ka'anapali Coffee Farms' agricultural community, in which buyers can purchase their own small coffee orchard "where local farmers do all the work and you enjoy a relaxed island lifestyle," according to Ka'anapali's website.
MauiGrown Coffee Company Store
277 Lahainaluna Rd.
Lahaina, HI 96761
808-661-2728
mauigrowncoffee.com
Tags: Coffees Hawaii, anapali Coffee, anapali Coffee Farms, Botanical Farm, Botanical Farm Tour