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Find Hawaiian Chocolate at Kauai Farmers Markets

Your guide to finding locally grown Hawaiian chocolate at farmers markets across Kauai. From Hanalei to Līhuʻe, discover the Garden Isle's thriving cacao scene.

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ChocoMaps
December 22, 20244 min read

Kauai may be the smallest of the main Hawaiian islands, but its chocolate scene punches well above its weight. The Garden Isle's lush climate and rich volcanic soil create ideal conditions for cacao, and a growing community of small-batch chocolate makers brings their creations to farmers markets across the island. Here's where to find authentic Kauai-grown chocolate.

Lush tropical garden with exotic plants on Hawaii's Garden Isle
Lush tropical garden with exotic plants on Hawaii's Garden Isle

Kulana Kokoleka Farm

Market: Kauaʻi Community Market (Līhuʻe) When: Saturdays

Bob and Jean Bartolo run this small family cacao farm in Kapaʻa, growing 800 trees on 3.5 acres and hand-crafting single-estate chocolate entirely from their Kauaʻi-grown cacao. Their lineup includes a smooth 70% dark chocolate bar and their popular mac-nut "slippah" chocolate.

What makes them special: Every bar is 100% Kauai-grown, with an exotic flavor profile that reflects the island's unique terroir. Look for them at the Saturday market in Līhuʻe alongside local shops around the island.

Wild Kauai Chocolate

Markets: Various farmers markets and night markets island-wide When: Check their social media for current schedule

Lance and Amy Hale are a husband-and-wife team crafting micro-batch bean-to-bar chocolate with just two ingredients: Hawaiian cacao beans and organic cane sugar. Their bars range from 70% to an intense 100% cacao, showcasing the pure flavor of the beans.

What makes them special: They source as much local cacao as possible, including Kauaʻi-grown beans, and have partnered with Princeville Botanical Garden. At their market booths, you can sample bars and even try build-your-own-bar workshops.

Stella's Golden Earth Honey Chocolates

Market: Hanalei Farmers Market When: Saturdays

A newer addition to Kauaʻi's chocolate scene, Stella creates artisan chocolates sweetened with honey from her own Kauaʻi beehives. Her handcrafted truffles and bars have quickly become a market favorite—locals describe them as "absolutely next level."

What makes them special: The combination of raw local honey and Hawaiian-grown cacao creates something truly unique. Her "heartcrafted" approach and tropical flavor infusions make every visit to the Hanalei market worthwhile.

Kīlauea Jungle Oasis Chocolate

Market: Namahana Farmers Market at Anaina Hou Community Park When: Saturday mornings

This tree-to-bar family farm in Kīlauea grows over 200 cacao trees and processes everything on-site. The Halasey/Kutkowski family brings their single-estate dark chocolate bars and bonbons to the Anaina Hou market, showcasing the distinctly fruity and complex profile of their 100% Kauaʻi-grown cacao.

What makes them special: Beyond the market, they offer chocolate farm tours where you can see the entire process from tree to bar. Their chocolate is also available at the on-site farm stand ʻŌhiʻa ʻŌhiʻa.


Cacao pods growing on a tree in a lush Hawaiian jungle setting
Cacao pods growing on a tree in a lush Hawaiian jungle setting

Also Worth Seeking Out

Garden Island Chocolate (Moloaʻa) — This North Shore cacao farm makes gourmet chocolate from Kauaʻi and Big Island-grown cacao. While primarily known for tours, their single-origin bars occasionally appear at Kīlauea and Hanalei markets.

Lydgate Farms (Wailua) — Kauaʻi's largest cacao farm (46 acres!) produces award-winning single-estate chocolate in collaboration with Oʻahu's Mānoa Chocolate. They mainly sell through their tasting room and tours, but sometimes appear at special events and pop-up markets.


Quick Reference

VendorMarketDay
Kulana Kokoleka FarmKauaʻi Community Market, LīhuʻeSaturday
Wild Kauai ChocolateVarious markets island-wideVaries
Stella's ChocolatesHanalei Farmers MarketSaturday
Kīlauea Jungle OasisNamahana Market, Anaina HouSaturday morning
Garden Island ChocolateOccasional appearancesVaries
Lydgate FarmsSpecial events/pop-upsVaries

Saturday: The Best Day for Kauai Chocolate

Most of Kauaʻi's chocolate vendors are at Saturday markets, making it the perfect day for a chocolate-focused market tour:

  • Morning: Start at Anaina Hou in Kīlauea for Kīlauea Jungle Oasis
  • Late morning: Head to Hanalei for Stella's honey chocolates
  • Or: Visit the Kauaʻi Community Market in Līhuʻe for Kulana Kokoleka Farm
Artisan dark chocolate truffles and bars with tropical flavors
Artisan dark chocolate truffles and bars with tropical flavors

Tips for Finding Chocolate at Kauai Markets

  • Saturday is your day. Most chocolate makers set up on Saturdays across the island.
  • Check social media. Wild Kauai Chocolate rotates between markets—follow them for current locations.
  • Combine with farm tours. Kīlauea Jungle Oasis, Garden Island Chocolate, and Lydgate Farms all offer tours by appointment.
  • Bring cash. Some smaller vendors at community markets are cash-only.
  • Ask about cacao origins. These makers love sharing the story of their Hawaiian-grown beans.

Kauaʻi's chocolate scene captures the spirit of the Garden Isle: small-scale, community-focused, and deeply connected to the land. Whether you're seeking intense dark bars, honey-sweetened truffles, or a behind-the-scenes farm tour, the island's markets have something special waiting.

Tags

Farmers MarketKauaiShopping GuideHawaiian ChocolateBean-to-Bar
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