Hooray for chocolate lovers: Hawaii Cacao Festival returns to Haleiwa

Haleiwa Farmers’ Market is celebrating the transformative power of Cacao—from colorful pod to delectable taste sensation—with its Second Annual Hawaii Cacao Festival on Sunday, January 30.

Enter your favorite original chocolate recipe in the Cacao & Chocolate Recipe Contest for a chance to win one of three $100 gift certificates to Chef Hector Morales’ new Italian Restaurant, Leonardo’s at Turtle Bay Resort. Prizes for three categories: Baked, Confection and Professional and will be awarded to the most outstanding recipe (bonus points for using local Hawaii-grown chocolate). Email [email protected] for contest entry form.

Hop on the 30-seater E Noa shuttle to visit the Waialua Estate Cacao orchard.  Buses leave on the hour (9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.) for a short ride to the farm, where guests will take a stroll through the orchard and learn about this unique crop from Mike Conway, manager of Dole Diversified Agriculture. The 20-acre cacao orchard is situated at sea level along the banks of the Kaukonahua river, near Waialua town. Hawaii is the only state in the nation that grows this delicious and healthy crop!

All of the Haleiwa Farmers’ Market regular food vendors will be featuring cacao or chocolate in their food offerings. Sample the delicious chocolate creations from 21 Degrees North Chef’s John Armstrong and Ben Tabious. Learn about cacao’s nutritional benefits from Ola Loa Wellness. Waialua Estate Cacao, Malie Kai, Chocolate Gecko, and Sweet Paradise chocolateirs will also be on hand.

Fun activities for kids include: decorating Mr. Cacao Heads, face-painting, and crowning yourself king or queen of the festival in your own artistic crown-creation. Everyone can enjoy the live music while relaxing in the 75-seat café. Free parking, free admission.

For more information, call Pamela at (808) 388-9696. For Recipe Contest applications, email [email protected], or call (808) 388-9696.         

Second Annual Hawaii Cacao Festival
Sunday, January 31
Kamehameha Highway/83 and Leong Bypass (near Haleiwa Bach Park)
Free parking, free admission.
Market: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Recipe Contest:  Drop off from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Awards: 11:30 a.m.
Recipe Tastings: 11:45 a.m.
Chef Demos: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kids Activities: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Shuttle to Cacao Orchard leaves hourly from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Sign up as you arrive at the market. Limited seating.