1958
David Hobbs Cordell moves to Hawaiʻi, a year before statehood.
15% off with code Aloha15 at checkout
Our story
Rooted in Hawaiʻi since 1958.
A family farm on the Hamakua Coast, turning former sugarcane fields into a cacao orchard.
Our story
Rooted in Hawaiʻi since 1958.
A family farm on the Hamakua Coast, turning former sugarcane fields into a cacao orchard.
The Hart family
The story of Honoliʻi Orchards began when David Hobbs Cordell, the patriarch of the Hart family, moved to Hawaiʻi in 1958, just one year before statehood. Since then, three generations of the Hart family have earned degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi system, deepening their roots in the islands.
In the mid-1990s, after the collapse of Hawaiʻi’s commercial sugarcane industry, the family purchased their 33-acre parcel on the Hamakua Coast. Over the past 25 years, they have worked tirelessly to restore the land, transforming it from former sugarcane fields into a thriving, regenerative agricultural operation.
Today the eldest son, Colin Hart, leads the farm’s expansion into cacao cultivation, the source of craft chocolate. Driven by a lifelong passion for chocolate, Colin has been involved in cacao cultivation since his father planted their first small orchards over 20 years ago.
33 acres
on the Hamakua Coast
25 years
restoring former sugarcane land
2,000
cacao trees today, with 1,500 more planned
120+
cacao varieties in the orchard
From sugarcane to cacao
Mid-1990s
The family buys former sugarcane land on the Hamakua Coast and begins restoring it.
20+ years ago
Colin’s father plants the first small cacao orchards.
2025
Ranked among the world’s 50 best cacao producers by Cacao of Excellence.
WHO LEADS OUR FARMING AND RESEARCH
Colin Hart
An award-winning cacao fermenter and published researcher, with a master’s degree in cacao fermentation and drying from the UH Mānoa Department of Tropical Plant & Soil Science.
The research happening in these rows, from terroir studies to fermentation trials, is part of every tour.
Come see the orchard.
Orchard tours and craft chocolate tastings, fifteen minutes from downtown Hilo.
The Hart family
The story of Honoliʻi Orchards began when David Hobbs Cordell, the patriarch of the Hart family, moved to Hawaiʻi in 1958, just one year before statehood. Since then, three generations of the Hart family have earned degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi system, deepening their roots in the islands.
In the mid-1990s, after the collapse of Hawaiʻi’s commercial sugarcane industry, the family purchased their 33-acre parcel on the Hamakua Coast. Over the past 25 years, they have worked tirelessly to restore the land, transforming it from former sugarcane fields into a thriving, regenerative agricultural operation.
Today the eldest son, Colin Hart, leads the farm’s expansion into cacao cultivation, the source of craft chocolate. Driven by a lifelong passion for chocolate, Colin has been involved in cacao cultivation since his father planted their first small orchards over 20 years ago.
33 acres
on the Hamakua Coast
25 years
restoring former sugarcane land
2,000
cacao trees today, with 1,500 more planned
120+
cacao varieties in the orchard
From sugarcane to cacao
1958
David Hobbs Cordell moves to Hawaiʻi, a year before statehood.
Mid-1990s
The family buys former sugarcane land on the Hamakua Coast and begins restoring it.
20+ years ago
Colin’s father plants the first small cacao orchards.
2025
Ranked among the world’s 50 best cacao producers by Cacao of Excellence.
WHO LEADS OUR FARMING AND RESEARCH
Colin Hart
An award-winning cacao fermenter and published researcher, with a master’s degree in cacao fermentation and drying from the UH Mānoa Department of Tropical Plant & Soil Science.
The research happening in these rows, from terroir studies to fermentation trials, is part of every tour.
Come see the orchard.
Orchard tours and craft chocolate tastings, fifteen minutes from downtown Hilo.
From $50
Tours & tastings near Hilo
Book a tour