Visit Big Island: Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. Factory

If you love chocolate as much as I do, be sure to check out the Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. Factory when on the Big Island!  Having recently opened in Honoka`a, the factory store is an extension of the Kahi Ola Mau farm, where the owners grow the cacao and do tours.  

At the factory store is where the production of the chocolate takes place.  Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. is a true bean-to-bar entity, producing award-winning chocolate from their own cacao, in addition to various local cacao growers, as well as utilizing cacao from other countries.  They even incorporate spirits into some of the bars!

Visit the factory, and you'll get to sample the 9 varieties of chocolate they produce on a regular basis.

I am a milk chocolate person, so I was thrilled that they just launched a Milk Chocolate Bar.  It's so creamy and indulgent.  But their dark chocolate bars are great too.  Many that I've had from other brands are just too bitter, but Honoka‘a Chocolate Co.'s dark bars are just so smooth!

With each sample, we could taste the varying nuances, and a handy chart helps to distinguish the flavor notes.

True, quality chocolate offers a depth of flavors, and Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. crafts premium, quality chocolate.

Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. ships for just $10 FedEx, and also offers a subscription box which includes specialty bars.

Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. Factory Store

45-3587 Mamane St

Honoka‘a, HI 96727

Read More

Visit Hawai`i Island: Honoka`a Public House

We spent some time in Honoka`a looking for a place to do take-out.  After some unsuccessful attempts at other spots, we decided to go to Honoka`a Public House, and we were pleasantly surprised with the food!

Pastrami on Rye

I don't normally eat beef, but the Signature Pastrami on Rye was just too hard to resist!  Tri-tip is house-brined for 13 days, then slow-smoked, and then stacked on marbled rye bread (sauerkraut is an additional cost).  The sandwich is served with Ukranian Freedom Sauce (get it?).  

It was absolutely delish, and so huge!  I would definitely order it again - the pastrami was seasoned well and really one of the best I've had. 

French Dip

My friend really enjoyed the French Dip, and he especially liked the au jus.

The service was prompt and friendly, and I wouldn't hesitate to get food from there again, or even dine in!

Honoka`a Public House
45-3490 Mamane St Unit G
Honokaa, HI 96727

(808) 775-1666

Read More

Visit Big Island: TEX Drive In

While on the Big Island with Anna, we drove through Honoka`a, and passed by TEX Drive In.  I only know of the place because Nadia had posted she drove an hour from Hilo to try their malasadas.

I'm not a fan of malasadas, so I had no desire to stop at TEX.  However, on our way back to Kona, the Saddle Road was shut down due to an accident, so we found our way back through Honoka`a.  We stopped at TEX Drive In simply to use the restroom, but I couldn't leave without getting a malasada.

The creme-filled malasadas come in a variety of flavors, and I opted for the Haupia.

Even though I'm not a fan of malasadas, I devoured this in minutes.  I thought it was really yummy, and not overly sugary.  I enjoyed the haupia filling!

TEX Drive In
45-690 Pakalana St
Honokaa, HI 96727

Read More