Fresh local Hawaiian mangos in green and red colors at a farmers market
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Find Hawaiian Chocolate at Maui Farmers Markets

Your guide to finding locally grown Hawaiian chocolate at farmers markets across Maui. From Hāna's cacao farms to Wailea's weekend markets, discover where to buy authentic island chocolate.

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ChocoMaps
December 22, 20244 min read

Maui's chocolate scene centers around the lush East Maui coast, where the tropical climate of Hāna creates ideal growing conditions for cacao. Whether you're exploring the Road to Hāna or staying in the resort areas of West Maui, here's where to find authentic Hawaiian-grown chocolate at farmers markets.

Winding coastal road through lush tropical forest on the Road to Hana
Winding coastal road through lush tropical forest on the Road to Hana

Valley Isle Chocolate

Markets: Multiple locations across Maui

  • Wailea Village Farmers Market (Wailea, Tuesdays 8–11am)
  • Maui Swap Meet (Kahului, Saturdays 7am–1pm)
  • Kā Mahiʻai Mākeke (Kīhei, Saturdays 8am–12pm)
  • Upcountry Farmers Market (Pukalani, Saturdays 7–11am)

Maui's most accessible bean-to-bar chocolate maker, Valley Isle Chocolate was established in 2021 as a family-run operation. They craft small-batch, single-origin chocolates right on Maui, highlighting the unique flavors of Hawaiian-grown cacao. The company is even planting a new cacao orchard in Hāna to expand their local sourcing.

What makes them special: With booths at four different markets across the island, Valley Isle is the easiest way to find fresh Hawaiian chocolate no matter where you're staying on Maui.

Haloa Farms

Market: Hāna Farmers Market (East Maui) When: Fridays, approximately 2:30–5pm

Robert and Karen Boudreaux run this family cacao farm in Hāna, where they grow organic cacao and produce intensely dark chocolate bars (85–90% cacao) from their own Hāna-grown beans. They've been a vendor at the Hāna market since it began, sharing their branch-to-bar creations with locals and visitors alike.

What makes them special: If you love seriously dark chocolate, Haloa's 85–90% bars are some of the boldest you'll find anywhere in Hawaiʻi.

Hana Gold

Market: Hāna Farmers Market (East Maui) When: Fridays, approximately 2:30–5pm

One of Hawaiʻi's first cacao plantations, Hana Gold is a true pioneer in the Hawaiian chocolate industry. The Frost ʻohana (Francine and Robert Frost) planted their cacao orchard in 2005 on a family farm established in 1978, and they hand-craft single-origin chocolate entirely in Hāna. Their bars are made with 100% Hawaiian-grown cacao and all-natural local ingredients.

What makes them special: Hana Gold represents the deep roots of Hawaiʻi's modern cacao movement. Buying from them means supporting one of the farms that helped start it all.

East Maui Chocolate

Market: Hāna Farmers Market (East Maui) When: Fridays, approximately 2:30–5pm

This East Maui farm offers a unique experience at their market booth—visitors can sample fresh cacao pulp straight from the pod before trying the finished chocolate bars made from those same Hawaiian-grown beans. They also sell other homegrown tropical fruits alongside their cacao products.

What makes them special: The chance to taste fresh cacao fruit and then compare it to the finished chocolate is a rare experience you won't find at most markets.


Quick Reference

VendorMarketDay/Time
Valley Isle ChocolateWailea VillageTuesday 8–11am
Valley Isle ChocolateMaui Swap Meet, KahuluiSaturday 7am–1pm
Valley Isle ChocolateKā Mahiʻai Mākeke, KīheiSaturday 8am–12pm
Valley Isle ChocolateUpcountry, PukalaniSaturday 7–11am
Haloa FarmsHāna Farmers MarketFriday ~2:30–5pm
Hana GoldHāna Farmers MarketFriday ~2:30–5pm
East Maui ChocolateHāna Farmers MarketFriday ~2:30–5pm
Fresh cacao pods in various colors showing the diversity of Hawaiian cacao varieties
Fresh cacao pods in various colors showing the diversity of Hawaiian cacao varieties

The Hāna Chocolate Trail

If you're driving the Road to Hāna on a Friday, plan to arrive in time for the Hāna Farmers Market. It's the only place where you can meet three different Hāna cacao farms in one spot—Haloa Farms, Hana Gold, and East Maui Chocolate all set up booths here.

The market typically runs from around 2:30pm to 5pm at the Hāna Bay pavilion. Arrive early for the best selection, as chocolate bars can sell out quickly.

Rich dark chocolate bars with cocoa beans on a wooden surface
Rich dark chocolate bars with cocoa beans on a wooden surface

Tips for Finding Chocolate at Maui Markets

  • Check market schedules. Times can vary seasonally, especially for the Hāna market.
  • Bring cash. Many Hāna vendors are cash-only due to limited connectivity.
  • Ask about fresh cacao. East Maui Chocolate often has fresh pods available for tasting.
  • Combine with farm visits. Several of these farms offer tours by appointment if you want to see where the cacao grows.

Maui's chocolate scene may be smaller than the Big Island's, but the concentration of farms in the Hāna area makes it easy to taste multiple origins in one afternoon—if you time your visit right.

Tags

Farmers MarketMauiShopping GuideHawaiian ChocolateBean-to-Bar
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