KILAUEA — While there are several farm tours available on Kaua‘i, only one tour offers visitors the opportunity to see the historic Kilauea Stone Dam that once provided water for the sugar cane fields that once spread across this part
KILAUEA — While there are several farm tours available on Kaua‘i, only one tour offers visitors the opportunity to see the historic Kilauea Stone Dam that once provided water for the sugar cane fields that once spread across this part of the island.
A lush green tropical paradise, Kaua‘i Fresh Farms in Kilauea welcomes visitors to their operation for sustainable agriculture tour spanning several hundreds of acres.
Tour guide Susan Elliott-Hubbard takes up to 12 visitors at once via an electric tram to see a farm rich in both history and agriculture. Elliott-Hubbard is a former landscape architect who designed some features on the farm including a pavilion. Visitors are asked to wear comfortable shoes as there is minimal walking on different terrain throughout the tour.
Owned by E*Trade founder Bill Porter, Kaua‘i Fresh Farms was the first Kaua‘i farm to gain food-safety certification through the state Department of Agriculture.
Located on 500 acres that used to be the Wai Koa Plantation in Kilauea, the farm now includes a large lawn area suitable for hosting gatherings — such as parties, festivals or weddings of all sizes.
The farm is home to the country’s “largest mahogany hardwood plantation,” which features several large, beautiful mahogany tree stands scattered throughout the grounds in various stages of maturity.
The farm includes a large solar farm, with several panels of photovoltaic panels to provide the farm’s energy needs.
Elliott-Hubbard said during a recent tour that the farm started after Porter started working with an area farmer to create a hydroponic farm with greenhouse to provide year-round growing conditions.
By now, the organic farm has several high-tech greenhouses, which are strictly monitored to prevent pests and seeds from entering and contaminating the Italian basil, cherry tomatoes, yellow pear tomatoes, watercress, beefsteak tomatoes, cilantro, Japanese cucumbers, salad mix lettuces, mesuclun green and gourmet baby lettuce being grown inside.
The greenhouses also greatly reduce water usage by controlling exactly when and how much water and level of nutrients each plant receives.
The farm uses organic techniques as often possible, Elliott-Hubbard said, to grow several types of vegetables and fruits including apple bananas, avocados, figs, breadfruit, a variety of citrus fruits and eggs.
During the tour, visitors are served a fresh lunch consisting of foods grown on the farm. The tours are limited to 12 guests daily to provide a more personalized experience.
Elliott-Hubbard asks guests at the outset of their plans for later in the day as tours can sometimes run a little longer than the anticipated two and a half hours as questions arise from the group.
In addition, people are able to stop and feed the fish in the contemplative koi ponds or spend time visiting the lush tropical gardens surrounding the Kilauea Stone Dam, which was built in 1891 and still brings water to Wai Koa from the back of a landscaped terraced valley.
Registration starts at 9:45 a.m., with tours starting promptly at 10 a.m., on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Guests are asked to bring the credit card they used to pay for the tour and a valid ID to registration, along with water to drink.
The tours are $49.99 for anyone over the age of 7 and are $24.99 for children 7 years old and younger.
Due to food safety regulations, no infants, toddlers or pets are allowed on the tour.
While the tram is able to provide some protection from the elements during rainstorms, tours happen rain or shine, and guests are asked to bring rain gear.
Tour reservations are required and can be made by email at Tours@KauaiFreshFarms.com or by calling 651-1191.
