ʻĀhualoa Family Farms

Over 150 years ago, the first macadamia nut trees were planted in the Hawaiian Islands, in Kukuihaele, just outside Honoka'a Town. Today, these first trees continue to produce and are one of many sources behind Ahualoa Family Farms' macadamia nut line.

Chad and Kia Coleman, the new owners of 'Ahualoa Family Farms, continue to center rich pieces of Honoka'a Town history throughout their company. The biggest piece has been the restoration of "Hawai'i's Oldest Macnut Factory" in Haina Camp, just below town. They now tout it as "Hawai'i's oldest and newest macnut factory," the newly retrofitted facility already processing half a million pounds annually (that's 10k pounds a week!). As if that wasn't enough of a project, they've also renovated the town's old sugar-plantation-era refueling station to create a retail store and certified kitchen. Impressively, all 'Ahualoa Family Farms' packaged products are made in this small kitchen, including 375 lbs of macnuts roasted daily.

Since purchasing ʻĀhualoa Family Farms from the original owners six years ago, the Colemans have continued to expand the business with the help of their hard-working family, friends, and over twenty staff. Of course, none of it would be possible without the 55 local growers who supply the operation's macnuts, whose hauls can range from a grocery bag to truckloads. This farmer network is critical, considering the company doesn't own any macadamia nut orchards of its own. With the restoration of the factory and growing demand for their products, the company is buying more macnuts than ever.

One way they are preparing for the future and shoring up supply is by educating small and backyard growers to improve old, unmaintained orchards and incorporate effective management practices. The other plan in the works is building up their own orchards with a goal of planting 150 acres of macadamia, starting with 25 new acres over the next three years and every 3 years after that. But, to plant an orchard, you need trees, and there are currently no commercial suppliers of macnut keiki in the islands. So, Ahualoa Family Farms is undertaking yet another project by establishing its own macadamia nut nursery.

With the revitalization of this agricultural component of the community, the crew at 'Ahualoa Farms is trying to revitalize something else - the Honoka'a Macadamia Nut Festival. This annual festival used to occur during the harvest season and was a chance for the community to come together to celebrate their hard work and harvest over food, games, contests, and more. They just celebrated this year's festival in July and hope to continue the tradition of celebrating with the community while showing gratitude and recognition for the hard work of their growers.