The Island of Hawai’i Visitors Bureau has highlighted the significant role agricultural tours play in supporting the financial sustainability of local farms. These tours, according to the bureau, provide direct sales opportunities for farmers and strengthen connections between agricultural producers and the community.
According to a press release, Hawai‘i Island agriculture tours offer an intimate look at diverse local agricultural products, connecting visitors and residents with farmers. Approximately 20% of domestic visitors participate in these farm tours, which support local farms amidst the high cost of doing business in Hawaii. Pomai Weigert, an agriculture business consultant with GoFarm Hawaii, said that guided tours not only facilitate direct sales for farmers but also contribute to local employment. “We need to try and weave more commerce into each industry because if we don’t, the people who do the tourism jobs will move away and the people who grow food won’t be as successful,” Weigert said.
The press release further stated that OK Farms in Hilo hosts the Rainbow Falls Farm Tour 15 times a week through Hawai‘i Eco. This tour offers a 1.5-hour exploration of waterfalls and tropical crops where guests learn about cultivation, harvesting, and processing while sampling seasonal fruits and macadamia nuts. Ala Keolanui, assistant manager at OK Farms, emphasized that the tour aims to be both fun and educational while fostering a connection with Hawaii’s land and people.
Tea Hawaii and Company in Volcano also offers a two-hour Tea Tasting and Farm Tour upon request, according to the press release. Led by Eva Lee and Chiu Leong who have over two decades of experience, this tour covers white, green, oolong, and black tea production on their operation.
Another company offering tours is Starseed Ranch in Kapa‘au. The press release states that it provides a bi-weekly Tropical Food Forest and Plant Medicine Tour with diverse options for visitors. The tour includes visits to Starseed Ranch and the HIP Ag Farm, focusing on regenerative agriculture education.
Weigert from GoFarm added, “If we don’t start to pay into the people who live here, they are going to move away because they can’t live here. When you buy from a local farmer they in turn can pay their land lease, buy what they need to live and ultimately continue growing food to increase our island’s food security.”
The press release also provided information on how to book tours for OK Farms, Tea Hawaii, and Starseed Ranch.
