 |
||
 |
||
 |
 |
|
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Aloha AgriTour-Hawaii 2008
The Aloha AgriTour 2008 has been developed by AgriTourism expert Jane Eckert, working in cooperation with Hawaii Ag Ventures, an agritourism project of the Big Island Farm Bureau, and Dehoney Travel. Based on the January 2007 maiden voyage of the Aloha AgriTour, we've refined this year's tour stops, providing a little more leisure time, plus a few more opportunities for the exchange of ideas among the agritourism operators and the guests, called Farm Stop Classrooms. Three tour stops have been designated for Farm Stop Classrooms: while enjoying these absolutely beautiful and fascinating farm properties, we pause for refreshments and a few minutes for the owners to discuss their business and accept questions, leading an exchange of ideas from everyone. You see these special sessions, as well as two Farm Chat Rooms onboard ship, listed below. The farm stops are presented in the order we will visit them. Our Farm Stops
Kapiolani Community College Farmer’s Market
Kapiolani Community College Farmers' Market, Oahu
Next, we make a brief tourist stop at the Dole Plantation on our way to Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens. This is one of the most popular agritourism stops in Hawaii for the general public. We will have time to walk their grounds and visit their extensive gift shop. You may be amazed by their central maze, the railroad, and other tourist-centered features. Senator Fongs , Oahu
The Gardens, cover a total of 700 acres and rise from 80 feet above sea level to 2,600 feet at the top of the Ko'olau Mountains. It is larger than all of Waikiki. The Senator has divided the Plantation into five areas named after presidents he served with during his 17 years in the U.S. Senate. This land, originally belonged to King Lunalilo. The land has since belonged to only one other person before Senator Fong purchased it in 1950. Much of the landscape you see today is the same as what early Polynesians saw hundreds of years ago, with forests of kukui, hala, koa, and ohia-'ai (mountain apple). Ti and pili grass still cover the slopes. Here we are treated to a special tour and then have the opportunity to make our own traditional lei. Note: After this tour, we return to the Sheraton Waikiki. This evening we'll have a time for cocktails and an entertaining show oceanside around the hotel pool.
On Monday, we have a Honolulu city tour, highlighted by a drive through Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific. Following our tour, we transfer to Aloha Tower Pier to board the Pride of Hawaii and acquaint ourselves with the facilities we will enjoy for the next seven days! We have time to settle into our comfortable cabins and unpack for the week before we sail about 8 p.m. (D)
Hawaiian Heart of Palm is used in many culinary dishes, including Mediterranean style with pasta and Pacific Rim cuisine with chilies and spices. It is sometimes served raw, thinly sliced, as in salads, steamed, or in stir fry. Started in 1994 the company also illustrates another trend in Hawai'i agriculture-a high percentage of women farmers.
Here is a farm where the crop sells for $190 a pound. The Reddekopps, proprietors of the 8 year-old Hawaii Vanilla Company, produce Grade A vanilla beans. (Did you know that vanilla comes from an orchid?) Jim Reddekopp and a friend and mentor, Tom Kadooka, realized that five acres of coffee yields about $15,000-but a vanilla farm could produce the same cash value using only a quarter acre.
Farm Stop Classroom: This unique dining room will be the location for our first scheduled Farm Stop Classroom, led by Jim Reddekopp.
Jim introduces customers to his products with samples in the dining room and a petite gift shop barely 10 by 15 feet in size. You’ll be surprised at the huge variety of vanilla products they have developed, and how much can be sold from a very small space. Most buyers also become lifelong Internet customers even if they never return again to the store.
The following morning, we awake to see the ship coming into the harbor on Maui, the island of lush foliage and beautiful valleys and mountains. This is another free day to explore on your own or sign up for local excursions of your own choice. Alii Kula Lavender
The farm is a partnership of Alii Chang, the farmer, and Lani Weigert, a woman you will quickly recognize to have a vast understanding of agritourism and marketing. Together they established a business model to "empower" themselves, their staff members, and especially other local small businesses to do what each does best.
We've allowed plenty of time for visiting the studio gift shop to shop for a variety of lavender infused products as well as time to sit and reflect on the natural beauty of this destination. Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company
We'll visit the packaging facility to see how they open and crack these amazingly hard shells, and then you can try your own hand at cracking a few while you watching the graders sort the nuts for flavoring and packaging. Kahua Ranch The 8,500 acres of private ranch land provides a variety of landscapes. From the peak, you'll see an amazing view of ocean, rolling hills, grazing livestock, windmills, and even the ranch's own little employee village and church.
After class, you'll have your choice of an ATV ride or Tram Tour of this spectacular ranch. In the morning, we find we have arrived on the amazing island of Kauai, probably the most photographed of the islands. Hollywood has always loved Kauai, and you've seen this beautiful landscape in movies ranging from Tarzan and Gilligan's Island to Jurassic Park. This is another free day to tour on your own.
On Sunday, we visit this 450 acre guava orchard and state-of-the-art processing plant located on land that was formerly part of Kilauea Sugar Company, which closed in 1970. The orchard was first planted on 150 acres; additional acres have been added to meet demand as KAI has expanded the total market for guava.
Guava trees have a crop potential of 30,000 to 50,000 pounds per acre. The natural seasonality of guava normally results in a light spring harvest and a heavier fall crop. KAI successfully introduced full-scale crop cycling to produce mature fruit 52 weeks a year. Cycling is primarily controlled by pruning and fertilizing the guava trees.
Our final stop is the historic and elegant Kilohana Plantation, where the manor house is considered to be the most expensive and most beautiful home ever built on Kauai. Built in 1935, it was a time of grandeur and elegance when guests arrived in horse drawn carriages. On Kauai, sugar was king, and the prosperity it brought was reflected in the mansions built by the sugar plantation known as Kilohana. Designed by British architect Mark Potter, it was filled with beautiful furniture from Gump's of San Francisco. Outside, exquisitely landscaped grounds framed the elegant house perfectly in it's picturesque mountain setting.
Other Opportunities In addition to the farm stops, we will have many opportunities to become better acquainted with the beautiful landscapes, plants, and people of Hawaii. A day in Oahu before we set sail, and full days at port in Kahului, Maui and Nawiliwili, Kauai are designated for your independent touring or participation in optional shore excursions of your choice.
Agritourism Camaraderie Click here to see the Day by Day Itinerary Click here to download the full color brochure, with prices, terms, and conditions for the tour. Click here to download your reservation form. |
New: Farm Stop Classrooms
The first morning we are all together, we visit the 
Dole Plantation, Oahu
We enjoy a boxed lunch as we travel along the scenic North Shore to 
On Sunday, everyone is free to relax and explore 
Wailea Agriculture Group
Located on former sugarcane land is the Wailea Agricultural Group Inc., which grows Hearts of Palm, tropical fruits and flowers north of Hilo. 
Hawaiian Vanilla Company
Jim and Tracy Reddekopp not only grow vanilla beans, they also have a commercial kitchen and dining room. They offer truly gourmet luncheons, afternoon tea and vanilla tastings, displaying a fine mastery of culinary tourism. 
Jim understands the tourism business, and was formerly employed by Thomas Cook, a very large international tour company. When he started the Hawaii Vanilla Company, he was one of the first farms on the islands to offer tours for cruise ship passengers. 
This evening, we'll have a group dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse, one of the 11 restaurant options aboard the Pride of Hawaii. This evening, depending on the weather, the ship will make a special visit past Mount Kilauea after dark, revealing the steaming flows of lava running down the mountainside into the sea. 
This morning we visit the farm voted the Best of the Tour by the 2007 Aloha AgriTour group.
The 
The 50-minute walking tour through rolling fields of lavender is an absolute must for any visitor to the islands. Though lavender is not native to Hawaii, Chang has successfully cultivated more than 45 different varieties for taste and aroma. Nestled along the skirt of Haleakala, the view from the lavender farm is absolutely breath taking.
We have lunch here on the patio, and pause for our second Farm Stop Classroom. This session relates to hiring and training the best employees for your business and will be led by Lani Weigert of Ali'i Kula. 
Generations of Big Island farmers have gently tended the fertile macadamia nut orchards that shade the verdant Hamakua coastline. In Hawaii, rich volcanic soils, abundant rainfall and perfect temperatures combine to produce the world's finest macadamia nuts. 
Hawaii's first commercial orchard was planted near Waipi'o Valley. Today,independent farmers continue the tradition of cultivation and processing the perfect nut. As a result, the Hamakua Coast is known for producing premium macadamia nuts that are truly the best of Hawaii's best.
The Kahua Ranch is located on the western slope of the Kohala Mountains, 3000 feet above sea level, extended from the sea to the top peak, spanning 7 climate zones! 
Our host will be Monty Richards, as we time out for an important 
sunset barbeques for evening guests. These evening feasts include lessons in roping, branding, and a little star gazing-guests learn why the Big Island is one of the world's leading locations for astronomy!
Guava Kai Plantation
KAI now grows and processes over half of the guava crop in the State of Hawaii; at maturity the orchard will have a yield potential of over 22 million pounds.
Kilohana Plantation
Our ride through the estate will reveal 35 acres rich with exotic plants and gardens, and dotted with century-old plantation 
cottages, and perhaps you can imagine plantation life as it truly was. The tour will also allow you to see the magnificent artwork and antiques of the Tudor-style mansion. Finally, Kilohana is a shoppers paradise with quality stores tucked into rooms of the main house and guest and camp houses of the estate. You'll find a wide array of fine art crafts, fashions, jewelry, food and gifts of Hawaii.
We will also tour Pearl Harbor, the Arizona, and downtown Honolulu, and Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific, giving you many opportunities to understand and appreciate our beautiful 50th state.
