Find Hawaiian Chocolate at Big Island Farmers Markets

The Big Island is home to more cacao farms than any other Hawaiian island, and the best way to meet the people behind your chocolate is at a local farmers market. From the sunny Kona coast to the lush Puna district, here's where to find authentic Hawaiian-grown chocolate made by the farmers themselves.

Kona Origins Chocolate

Market: Keauhou Farmers Market (Kailua-Kona) When: Saturdays, morning

This family farm grows cacao in South Kona and makes bean-to-bar chocolate right on their property. At the Keauhou Market, you'll find their signature dark chocolate bars ranging from a smooth 51% milk chocolate to an intense 75% dark. They also sell fresh cacao pods (when in season), Kona coffee, and macadamia nuts from their farm.

What makes them special: They offer dairy-free chocolate varieties made with coconut milk from their own Kona-grown cacao—perfect for those avoiding dairy without sacrificing flavor.

Wild Things Hawaii

Market: Hilo Farmers Market (Downtown Hilo) When: Main market days (Wednesday and Saturday mornings)

Owner Julia McCormick is both a cacao farmer and self-described "medicinal chocolatier" who creates unique wellness-focused chocolate products using exclusively Hawaiian-grown cacao. Her most famous creation is the Hawaiian Chocolate Maca Dragon Dust, an award-winning spiced chocolate powder blend made with local cacao, maca root, coconut sugar, and warming spices.

What makes them special: Unlike traditional chocolate bars, Wild Things focuses on healthy chocolate products you can add to coffee, smoothies, or desserts. It's chocolate meets superfood.

Kokoleka Puna

Market: Multiple East Hawaiʻi markets

• Volcano Farmers Market (Thursdays, afternoon)
• Kaimū-Kalapana Farmers Market (Saturdays, morning)
• Makuʻu Farmers Market (Sundays, Puna)

When: See above

Kokoleka Puna ("chocolate" in Hawaiian) is a small tree-to-bar operation based in the Puna district. Owners Alex and Sonja handcraft vegan, organic chocolate bars from 100% Big Island-grown cacao sourced from local farms in Puna and Hilo.

What makes them special: Look for creative flavors like dark chocolate with Kona coffee crunch, mint, or tropical fruit infusions—all made with cacao beans grown in the Puna jungle.

Kilolani Farms

Market: Makuʻu Farmers Market When: Sundays (Pāhoa area)

This family farm in Keaʻau grows its own cacao and produces true single-origin, farm-to-bar chocolate. They offer a smooth 70% dark chocolate as well as a bold 100% cacao bar made entirely from their locally grown beans. Every step—from planting to processing to molding—happens on their farm.

What makes them special: They also grow coffee and vanilla, which pair beautifully with their chocolate. Ask about their vanilla-infused bars when available.

Makai Chocolate

Market: Pukalani Stables Mid-Week Market (Waimea) When: Wednesdays, 8:30am–1:30pm

Located on the lush Hāmākua Coast near Pepeʻekeo, Makai Chocolate operates a small on-farm "micro-factory" where they craft small-batch dark chocolate from their own estate-grown cacao. Their 70% dark chocolate showcases the distinctive flavor profile of Hāmākua-grown cacao.

What makes them special: If you want to go beyond the market, Makai offers farm visits where you can sample chocolate right where the cacao grows.

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Quick Reference

Tips for Finding Chocolate at the Markets

• Arrive early. Popular chocolate makers often sell out, especially at smaller markets like Volcano.
• Bring cash. While many vendors accept cards, some smaller farms are cash-only.
• Ask about cacao pods. If you want to try fresh cacao fruit, ask vendors if they have pods available—they're seasonal and sell fast.
• Talk to the farmers. These are small operations run by passionate people. They love sharing stories about their cacao and chocolate-making process.

Each of these vendors uses cacao cultivated on Hawaiʻi Island, ensuring that their chocolate—whether dark, milk, or infused with local ingredients—is truly Big Island grown and made.