“Brew Your Best Cup”- Coffee Brewing Workshop
Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm • Farm • Holualoa, Island of Hawaii • Hawaii
Self-Guided Coffee & Art Tour
A perfect day exploring Holualoa's coffee farms and art galleries
Written by a Local Coffee Expert
Kalani MillerA Self-Guided Day in the Heart of Coffee Country
Once you've had your morning coffee, don't just head back to the beach. The town of Holualoa is the artistic and cultural soul of the Kona Coffee Belt. It's a charming village filled with history, art, and of course, more coffee. Here's how I love to spend a day exploring the area on a self-guided tour.
The Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll: Kalani's Perfect Day
This itinerary makes for a perfect half-day or full-day trip from Kailua-Kona. It immerses you in authentic up-country lifestyle.
🌅 Morning (9:00 AM) - Start with History & Organics
Begin your day by driving up scenic Mamalahoa Highway into the coffee belt. Your first stop should be the Holualoa Kona Coffee Company. This family-owned, certified organic farm is a great, low-key introduction to the area. They offer a free, self-guided tour of their mill and beautiful 360-acre plantation. They also grow crops like cacao, mango, and papaya. Grab a complimentary cup of their fresh roasted organic coffee. Enjoy the peaceful setting before heading into town.
Holualoa Kona Coffee Company
- Address: 77-6261 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa
- What to do: Free self-guided tour, coffee tasting
- Time needed: 30-45 minutes
🎨 Mid-Morning (10:30 AM) - Explore Holualoa Village
Drive a few minutes into the heart of historic Holualoa Village. This charming town is a designated arts district. The best way to explore is on foot. For a truly deep dive, you can follow the Hōlualoa Village Walking Tour. Created by the Pūlama īa Kona Heritage Preservation Council, it identifies over 30 historic buildings and sites. Many now house galleries and shops.
Make sure to visit these key art stops:
Donkey Mill Art Center
This is the vibrant cultural hub of the village. Housed in a former coffee mill, it's a non-profit that offers classes, workshops, and exhibitions. It features local and international artists. It's a wonderful place to see the living, breathing art scene of the community.
Studio 7 Fine Arts
Step into Hawaii's longest-standing contemporary art gallery. Located in a fascinating historic building that was once the Morinoue Laundry & Pool Hall. It's a beautiful, zen-like space showcasing work of its founders and other prominent local artists.
More Galleries
As you stroll, pop into other galleries like Glyph Art Gallery and Kona Art Gallery. They feature a wide range of local art. From paintings and photography to jewelry and traditional crafts.
🍽️ Lunch (12:30 PM) - A Taste of the Town
You'll have worked up an appetite by now. You have two fantastic options:
Stay in Holualoa
Holualoa Garden & Kitchen
My top recommendation is lunch right in the village at Holualoa Garden & Kitchen. This beautiful restaurant offers true farm-to-table experience in a lush garden setting. Their menu is creative and uses fresh, local ingredients. Sometimes even featuring Kona coffee barbecue sauce! It's the perfect culinary complement to your day in coffee country.
Head Back Toward Kona
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
If you're ready to head back down the mountain, make a stop at Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill. This is my go-to spot and a local legend for a reason. They serve some of the best, freshest poke bowls on the entire island. Along with other delicious Hawaiian plates. You can't go wrong with their "Da Avo" poke.
☕ Afternoon (2:00 PM) - The Grand Final
To cap off your perfect day, I suggest finishing with one last premium coffee experience. Since you're already in Holualoa, it's a short drive to either Hula Daddy or Heavenly Hawaiian. Booking an afternoon tour or tasting at one of these top-tier farms is the perfect way to reward yourself. After a day of exploration with a truly world-class cup of coffee.
Hula Daddy Kona Coffee
Premium boutique experience with award-winning coffees. $35 per person, reservations essential.
74-4944 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa
Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm
Family-run farm with pure aloha spirit and stunning views. $8 per adult, very relaxed atmosphere.
78-1136 Bishop Rd, Holualoa
Continue Your Hawaiian Adventure
The spirit of adventure and history you find in Kona is all over our islands. Discover more experiences that capture the same sense of wonder.
📋 Day Itinerary
- 9:00 AM: Organic coffee farm
- 10:30 AM: Art galleries stroll
- 12:30 PM: Local lunch
- 2:00 PM: Premium coffee tasting
- Total time: Half to full day
🎒 What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera for art & views
- Light jacket (elevation)
- Cash for galleries
- Reusable coffee cup
🚗 Driving Tips
- Take Mamalahoa Hwy (190)
- Winding mountain roads
- Limited parking in village
- 30-45 min from Kona
⏰ Best Times
- Weekdays: Less crowded
- Morning start: Cooler temps
- Harvest season: Aug-Jan (most active)
Expanding Your Hawaiian Adventure
The spirit of adventure and history you find in Kona is all over our islands. If your travels take you to Oahu, here are two experiences I always recommend to friends. They round out their Hawaiian journey.
Kalani's Recommendations for Your Oahu Trip
After a relaxing morning tasting coffee, your energy will be buzzing. If you find yourself on Oahu and are looking for experiences that capture the same sense of history and thrill you found on the Big Island, these are my must-do recommendations.
For the Thrill-Seeking Traveler
If you need an adrenaline kick to match that caffeine buzz, I always send people to Coral Crater Adventure Park on Oahu. It's a 35-acre outdoor playground perfect for anyone looking for a rush. Their 6-line zipline course is epic. It soars from 300 to 1,000 feet over the jungle canopy.
Activities for ages 6 and up • Perfect for families and groups
For the History Explorer
Just as you've explored the history of our coffee farms, a journey into our nation's profound history is essential to any visit to the islands. The tour of Pearl Harbor on Oahu is a moving and powerful experience that should be on every visitor's list.
Book tickets in advance through Recreation.gov • Free admission
Take a Taste of Aloha Home
Exploring the Kona Coffee Belt is about so much more than just tasting coffee. It's about connecting with the land, the history, and the people who pour their hearts into every single bean. My best advice is to explore beyond the beach. Take time to drive up the mountain and talk to the farmers. Ask them about their families, their land, and their craft. Their stories are as rich and complex as the coffee they produce.
When you're buying coffee to take home, always, always look for that "100% Kona Coffee" label. By doing so, you're not only guaranteeing yourself an authentic taste of our island. You're also directly supporting the small, family-run farms that are the lifeblood of this community. Every bag of coffee you take home carries with it the sunshine, the volcanic soil, and the aloha of the family that grew it.
Mahalo for letting me share a small piece of my home with you. A hui hou (until we meet again).
