January 7th

Today we focused on getting to the pool early and stayed until 11 a.m. and headed to the lagoon grill for lunch.  Tuna melt for Janie.  Short rib bowl for Jeff with Lagoon Lager.  Yum.  Back to room for clean up and off to chocolate farm over by Hilo.  In route a Quick stop for mailing of postcards and Dew run for Janie.  We kept the top up today as in the 80's, sunny and windy.

The Chocolate farm is north of Hilo, so arriving early we drove to coconut island for a quick view.  Just a little out cropping with a bridge off the Hilo shore.  From there up into the hills to find the Lavaloa Chocolate farm.  Lots of Vanilla, Macadamia, Coca and Cacao farms.  In so many ways, like other parts of US, but just a unique scene with the rain forest look all around.

Derek our guide was quite the story teller.  Really loves what he does as a farmer.   He grew up on Sugar Cane farm and his family is still on Kuai while he is here working.  This is a one thousand acre farm with ten thousand trees.  The farm is only 5 years old so not all trees produce Cacao nuts.  Several varieties are planted to protect against different threats.  They also grow Coco (coffee).  All on an old sugar cane factory.  Fyi, Hawaii back in Civil War time produced most of the world's sugar.  Now only 10%.  Hawaii is only non equator location for Cacao trees.  They are able to produce all year round, but at varying pace with several species of trees.  The seeds are bitter and one variety chocolatiers love due to bitter nature.   Easier to sweeten then other way around.  We ate fresh picked seeds to get a feel for the flavor.  Then saw where they harvest, dry, separate and roast the beans.  The kitchen where they make the chocolate is not open to view.  Hersey only has about 10% Cacao versus fine chocolate.  Their dark chocolate (yes we had lots of samples) is 70%.  This impacts price for sure.

Cocoa Pod

Derek our tour guide

Seeds in a creamy substance - sweet, fluffy and juicy until you crunch, then bitter

View from the Farm Lanai

The tour finished with white chocolate on their lanai.  White version of chocolate is technically not chocolate.   It's made from the Cacao butter squeezed from roasted nuts.  Learn something everyday.

After the tour we found the Hula Hula bar at the doubletree at water edge.  Old hotel that was very interesting.   A cocktail and off to Jacki Rays for more chowder and splitting of seafood trio.  Yum!

Quick walk through a small street fair, then 1.5 hour trek back.  We made a drink and went down to the pool to hang out.  So actually 10 pm before bed time.  Wow!