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    Waipa Foundation

    5.0 (20 reviews)
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    Dessert

    The food and farm tour Waipa offers is an amazing way to learn about Hawaiian food, plants, and culture. I learned many things and ate tastey food, but the best part was the energy of the morning. The guides were truthful about the struggles the island has and does face due to the legacy of colonialism and aspects of modern tourism, but the existence of the tour is an an encouragement for a better, more sustainable way, both in regard to food systems and tourism. I also enjoyed the afternoon farmer's market with many other local farmers and artists.

    The lo'i kalo at the farm
    Anne A.

    If you would like an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience, go on the food and farm tour at Waipa. Waipa is a non-profit farm, located on 1600 acres on Kauai's northshore. We learned about Hawaiian values, practices and the deep cultural relationship between the Hawaiian people, food and 'aiña ( the land) which feeds us. Their tours are offered three times a week and last about 3 hours. This includes an amazing lunch, consisting of produce grown at Waipa and elsewhere on Kauai. The scenery is breathtaking, from mountain to ocean - mauka to makai. Our guides, Emma and Mikaela were amazing. Being raised on Kauai and with a commitment to their native Hawaiian culture, we could tell they learned from their kupuna (elders) and were enthusiastic in passing on their knowledge to us visitors. This experience changed the way we viewed Hawai`iʻs natural landscapes and environment, knowing the cultural features and significance that lie within them. Definitely worth a visit.

    Sumptuous meal made with Waipa grown and local ingredients. Deelicious!!

    Welina me Aloha .. We've been familiar with Waipa Traditional Farm over several years and attended public special presentations and seasonal celebrations, all of which have been warmly and wonderfully engaging. Waipa's mission and function flower in remarkable and exemplary ways. Farm and Foodways Tours are a latest verdant, vibrant example. We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to accompany the recently implemented and evolving Waipa Cultural Foodways Tour. Our tour was welcomed and guided in turns by gracious Waipa staff members Olivia, Emma, Mikeala, and Executive Director Stacy. We began with a map overview of the ahupua'a, nibbling assorted fresh breakfast delights and sipping cool, slightly sweet and soothing mamaki tea. Over a few precious hours staff describe the cultural and agri~dynamics of this truly remarkable modern restoration of the knowledge and practice of a traditional Hawai'i ahupua'a, from the mountain, streams, to fish pond, sea and rains. The educational Q+ A experience while seated, strolling, or riding along is interactive and fun, with surprise tastes and a planting along the way throughout the morning. The foodways tour is crowned by a shared buffet table lunch, rather a Feast, in a rainbow of freshest locally 'aina and kai sourced foods in a palette of delightful textures and tastes, circled together with staff and new friends. Any "rating" stars seem cliche or will likely just fall short. This tour, its hosts palpably relate, connect and blend deep cultural and modern knowledge of 'aina , wai, the LIFE therein~Waiwai ALOHA, into a personal edventure, which will surely, gently, deliciously impart a deep and memorable impression. Thus, a constellation of gently shimmering stars. Happily echoing the website's description; This experience will change the way you view Hawai`i natural landscapes and environment, knowing the cultural features and significance that lie within them. Corey and Debra Sue Pinole, CA

    Delicious Lunch at the end of the tour.
    Rae-Marie M.

    I would highly recommend the Waipa Foundation Food and Farm Tour happening on Tuesdays. It was a delightful and informative 3 hours filled with impressive work that the Foundation is doing to inspire people to care for the land which feeds us. The bonus lunch was absolutely delicious. I'm proud of what they are doing for the community and would love more people to support them. It's not your average tourist tour. But, for people who care, it's perfect.

    You'll learn so much!
    Patti E.

    If you get a chance while you're on Kauai, go on the tour at the Waipa Foundation! you'll learn so much about this amazing island and you'll be treated to amazing food!! Don't miss out! It's a great activity for families and friends

    Ocean view from Waipa Ahupua'a

    I was able to participate in Waipā Foundations Food and Farm Tour: Introduction to the Ahupua'a, it's Food Systems and Waterways on October 15 and it was so amazing and inspiring. I have been coming to the island regularly for over 25 years and I learned so much that was new to me. The guided tour is excellent, showing us all of the aspects of the Waipa Ahupua'a, from the ocean to the mountains. There was detailed instruction on all of the aspects of the uses of land, from fishing, the fish pond, and taro fields (loi), gardens, and orchards, including the waterways to supply all of this. After an introduction to the land as a whole and the history or Waipa, we helped to prepare our own lunch, making lau lau chicken, then we road electric carts around the property, stopping to hear stories and history, filled with culture and tradition. At the end we were served the delicious lunch we had helped to prepare. I highly recommend this tour if you want to get more of an inside story about this beautiful island.

    Experiencing the lo'i firsthand--pulling the weeds and planing some kalo

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    30 days ago

    Great experience. Knowledgeable guides who are dedicated and love what they do. Fabulous food. Very inspiring experience.

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    Amazing food! Purchased the cheesecake and it was heavenly. Definitely worth a stop after a long day at the beach!

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    Review Highlights - Waipa Foundation

    Hands on tour that really educates about land, culture and community in this beautiful place.

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

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    Princeville Botanical Gardens

    Princeville Botanical Gardens

    4.5(119 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Came on a Tuesday, party of 2, for the 9:30am tour (they only do one 3 hour tour per day), price…read morewas $125 per person. Now I originally was aghast that a botanical garden tour was this expensive, but after doing it, I think it's actually well worth the price. This isn't one of those gardens you can just walk in and wander around - it's guided tours only with staff. Pros: - Probably the most entertaining and varied botanical garden tour I've ever done, complete with a chocolate tasting sit-down learning experience with the guides. - It's BEAUTIFUL - and doubles as a leisurely hike if you're very able-bodied. It felt like a very HAWAII experience given the lush greenery, the number of new plants I had never seen before, and fun facts about Kauai and this specific botanical garden. - There's different "stops" on the tour where you'll get to try more uncommon fruits and bites (we had longan, rambutan, apple banana, sugarcane plant, and this really delicious honey!!) and you get to try a cacao fruit (which tastes nothing like chocolate lol) - they provide organic herbal bug spray if you don't bring your own - Pretty easy to find, the staff were super communicative beforehand via email and text with directions - Our tour guide Lauren was super knowledgeable and answered all our questions kindly, even when she was visibly quite pregnant! I was impressed at her stamina - I personally liked that it was a pretty "active" tour, where you hike across a bridge, uphill a bit, etc. You should definitely wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes, because the dirt can get pretty wet if it rains. I wore hiking pants and hiking shoes and felt pretty comfortable, and I felt sorry for people who came in sandals - The chocolate tasting was really unique - we got to try their in-house chocolate that had notes of cinnamon - and they said that it was a cinnamon tree in their grove where water would pass that gave it this flavor! - They also provide walking sticks and umbrellas for people if you want them - Reservation only, online booking in advance - I think this preserves the magical vibe of this nature-y place and keeps the quality of the service high - The staff clearly love and care about what they do, which is very refreshing to see! Cons: - It can be pretty strenuous if you are elderly or have orthopedic issues.

    We had an amazing time on our visit to Princeville Botanical Gardens. The vast beauty of the…read moregardens were surreal. Our guide was wonderful and knowledgeable. She answered questions and explain many details of the tour. Along the way we tasted many fruits grown in the garden. The chocolate tasting was more than just a tasting. We learned so much and enjoyed many varieties of chocolate. It is truly an interactive tour. We had several younger people and it was wonderful seeing them ask questions and engage with the group.

    Photos
    Princeville Botanical Gardens
    Princeville Botanical Gardens
    Princeville Botanical Gardens

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    Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill - 5th generation farmer Lyndsey planting huli (taro seedlings). Learn from her on a tour! PC: Kahahawai Photography

    Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill

    4.6(25 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    We did this tour as a family, over Thanksgiving. The guide is the owner. She is enthusiastic,…read moreknowledgeable, and, as my wife and the other women in the group noted, glamorous for someone toiling in the fields. Basically the activity turns on her story telling. Her accounts of flash flooding are vivid. She sure is accomplished. Her anecdotes are authentic, sincere, and funny. There isn't all that much walking, and they bring chairs out for people who need to sit. One fellow fell over in the mud (the leg of the stool sank and he toppled over; he was unhurt). There are three parts. First, there is the taro farm. Second, there is the rice mill. Third, there is lunch. The taro farm is a real, multi-generation family enterprise. I don't understand how they make money. It looks as if it is all done by hand. And taro is not a luxury item. You help them gather the eggs of invasive snails. Presumably they have some other task if needed and that doesn't work. The rice mill is fascinating. It's too bad it doesn't work anymore. You look at everything that has ben restored. You also drink fresh coconut milk, extracted right from the gourd in front of you, and you eat tarot snacks they make as you watch. The lunch is excellent. We enjoyed, among us, all of the menu choices. The quantities also are vast. The food truck would be worth visiting on its own, without any of the rest of the activities.

    We took the tour of this mill and taro farm tour 5 years ago. The 3 of us (adults) thoroughly…read moreenjoyed it. The exuberance this family has in the farming, milling, and agricultural is amazing. We walked out on the taro fields. We were shown the snails that unfortunately are now embedded in the fields and love to eat taro. So many things could have been avoided if man hadn't brought them here. We had no idea there were agriculture thieves who raid groves and fields then sell them underground or on the sides of roads. We were given some samples of food made from the local ingredients. Then we were driven to their delicious Hanalei & Juice food truck for some of the island's best Kahula Pork you'll ever have.

    Photos
    Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill - Brittany, assistant tour guide

    Brittany, assistant tour guide

    Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill - Lindsey Haraguchi showing off taro

    Lindsey Haraguchi showing off taro

    Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill - Lindsey

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    Lindsey

    Kauai Farmacy

    Kauai Farmacy

    4.4(49 reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$

    KAUAI FARMACY is off the beaten path and I love it…read more They offer Tea Tasting Events and we couldn't make it to those so I figured we could drive up there to check out the store anyway. Well, the "shop" is actually a small trailer beside their lanai, which they were busy setting up for lunch for their farm workers. How cool was that? I don't think anyone is supposed to be there when there is no Tea Tasting Event, but they were gracious enough to accomodate us and even allowed us to buy tea drinks. Like they made it for us and served it! I might have ruined it for everyone else now though and they will make sure that they are closed outside of the event times. Sorry! The LOVE POTION TEA was weirdly soothing. Felt like I was wrapped in a blanket indoors looking out of a window on a rainy day. The TROPICAL HIBISCUS felt like I was in a tropical island. Oh wait... Anyway, I love how I couldn't really pinpoint the flavors, but the feelings the tea evoked is clear. Tasted, and bought, some honeys too. Interesting take on the honeys. They had spices and nuts so they were more like marmalades that honeys that you could add to your teas. The garden is beautiful. There is limited parking, but it's surrounded by beautiful greeneries, fruits and flowering plants. It was a beautiful outing for sure.

    This place is quite overpriced with pretty much zero customer service. 1oz of gotu kola for $55…read more(2oz is $18 at homegrownherbalist.net) and it came in a clear glass bottle rather than the recommended dark amber. Also, I ordered it on May 27th with no response for 7 days, so I called. No answer and the recording states it doesn't take messages. So I sent an email on June 3rd asking them to cancel my order and refund my money. Instead, they sent me an email the next day saying they have shipped my order today, "mahalo". Almost like a sarcastic response. No explanation, apology or even acknowledgment. The order finally arrived on June 10th. Ridiculous. I won't order from them again and I recommend anyone searching for organic, home grown products to try Homegrownherbalist.net. Dr Patrick Jones has lots of yt vids explaining all kinds of herbs and he grows tons of stuff on his property in Idaho. All organic and harvested at the perfect time. He was a veterinarian for 30 years and is also a naturopathic doctor and an herbalist. What a wealth of knowledge! He's very reasonably priced and ships his products out immediately.

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    Kauai Farmacy - Curry and Moringa powder

    Curry and Moringa powder

    Kauai Farmacy - Fresh raw cacao

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    Holoholo Charters - Kauai family friendly boat tours

    Holoholo Charters

    4.7(1.2k reviews)
    21.2 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    25 years in business

    The sunset cruise with Holo Holo Charters down the Nāpali Coast was an unforgettable experience. We…read morebooked it to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday, and it was perfect from start to finish. Captain Max was incredible--his sense of humor kept us laughing even as the rain and mist rolled in. The two women on the crew (I wish I could remember their names) were fantastic, making sure everyone was comfortable and answering all our questions with a smile. The playlist on board was spot on, setting the perfect vibe. I wish I could find it on Spotify! Despite the weather, the views were breathtaking, and getting a little drenched just added to the adventure. The food was delicious, especially the smoked pork, salad, and fresh fruit, and my husband loved the mai tais. Even without the sunset, the whole experience was magical. After chatting with other travelers, I'm convinced we had one of the best tours available. especially after talking to a couple at our hotel pool who had paid more than we did and only got snacks limited alcohol. I can't recommend Holo Holo Charters enough, and I'm already looking forward to trying their breakfast or snorkel cruise next time. If you're looking for an amazing adventure, this is it!

    My husband and I did the sunset dinner tour to the Na Pali coast with this company a couple weeks…read moreago on 4/1/26 at 2:45pm. Price was $250 per person and we booked a couple days before the tour date. (we went at the end of March - the weather was fantastic and not too hot, also not raining). Although it was pricey, I felt like it was worth the experience and highly recommend anyone do a tour, even if it's not with this company. We got back to shore around 7-7:30pm, so total time was 5 hours ish. Pros: - the Na Pali coast is BEAUTIFUL - the views were truly a once in a life time experience for me and I saw the fullest rainbow I've ever seen - The tour guide was super informative, we learned a lot about whales, and they also taught us a lot about certain mountains and waterfalls that we passed on the Na Pali Coast (like where Kauai kings were buried). - We stopped to watch whales multiple times and it was really cool! - The 3 staff working on board the ship were extremely helpful in answering questions, providing drinks, and instructing people from a safety perspective - Safety - I felt very well taken care of the whole time. It's a barefoot cruise but people can choose to keep their shoes on if they want. They provided bags for people feeling nauseous and gave good advice when people were feeling seasick. - Food provided - it's not fine dining or anything (chicken teriyaki, salad, etc) but it does beat having to pack your own food or go hungry around dinner time. Also unlimited alcohol or nonalcoholic drinks. - The staff helped us take photos and there's a lot of great photo opportunities at the coast - Champagne toast at sunset, which was beautiful to watch out on the water - bathrooms available on board - My husband didn't feel like eating on board due to the motion sickness so they were kind enough to pack a to-go box for us! - Parking was easy and the meet up location was easy to find - we stood outside for most of the ride since it felt better than sitting inside, so we did get a bunch of sea-spray and got super wet from the 10 ft swells, but it felt really fun! Cons: - I think they need to put a huge disclaimer with statistics or something to show people how common it is for people to get seasick and vomit. I think maybe 5 people from our whole boat got really sick and either fell or vomited during the trip (can feel a little weird enjoying the beautiful view while someone smells like vomit next to you lol). They do tell you at the beginning that you can walk away and get a full refund after hearing the captain briefing during the meet up starting spot, but I don't think they really emphasize just how many people get sick. I personally felt fine but I felt really bad for people who had to gut through the five hour round trip feeling terrible. bring Dramamine!! This was definitely a highlight of my first time in Kauai, I wouldn't necessarily do it more than once due to the price, but it was a fantastic experience for the views!

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    Holoholo Charters - Captain Kelly

    Captain Kelly

    Holoholo Charters - Per Captain - Rare Turtle

    Per Captain - Rare Turtle

    Holoholo Charters - Breathtaking

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    Breathtaking

    Na Pali Catamaran - Family photo on Catamaran !

    Na Pali Catamaran

    4.8(242 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    DRAMAMINE, y'all…read more You're choosing to do the Na'Pali coast from the North Shore, which means smaller boats, and choppier waves. I took one Dramamine, the night before. Then another, an hour before our departure. AND THE BOAT RIDE WAS GREAT. I was all smiles and adventure and breathing -in the ocean air and wind! Unlike, a few folks, who were NOT doing so well. (One or two barfed over the side, but thankfully I didn't notice. Know how your body handles boats and waves. Don't do tours like this, without proper prep. It will NOT be fun if you underestimate it.) Check-In staff was super friendly, and personal. They remembered me from my original email. Sweet. Parking was easy. Shuttles team was super friendly. The strangers we rode with, all turned out to be cool. 2 boats go out (mini-catamarans, with cover from the sun). They expertly traverse the waves, and cliffs, and the caves, giving you some amazing first-hand visuals and photos. But yeah, that boat will be a rockin', during those up-close cave moments. Spoiler: You probably won't see whales, unless you're there before May. But we DID see a cute pod of Dolphins, who cozy'd up to our boat for a while. Our boat had Casey and Spencer. They were wise beyond their years, in all things Kauai. Funny and friendly. Spencer navigated the heck out of those waves, while Casey handled the nauseous passengers with MOTHERLY CARE. Spencer was 50/50 on allowing us to snorkel, based on conditions and a previous scare, a few weeks prior. But he ultimately made the call to GET IN THE WATER. He wisely kept us on a leash (not literally), whistling at swimmers when they got too close to a reef (with waves that could wash you onto the reef). It was fun and chill. Saw a HUGE, MASSIVE KING DADDY SEA TURTLE. He did not enjoy us as much as we enjoyed him and he bounced. Followed by a JR. Turtle, who stuck around a bit longer. Tons of fish. Spencer & Casey gave us good food and hike recommendations, and everyone treated us like friends / family. Highly recommend this team if you're going out. And you already know I highly recommend some Dramamine.

    Had a great experience this week with Lance and Miguel. Before we even got out of the bay we had…read morean amazing dolphin encounter. The tour itself was both breathtakingly beautiful and informative, with lots of great history and a thorough knowledge of the coast's features. We were able to get in close to the cliffs and even go into a couple of sea caves. On the way back -- a very bouncy and splashy affair in the best way for those of us who were adventurous enough to sit in the bow -- we stopped at Tunnels Beach to snorkel the outer reef, which was full of tropical fish and turtles. The tour included lunch and refreshments as well. Overall a great way to spend an afternoon -- definitely a 5-star experience. A word to the wise-- the northwest corner of Kaua'i is often rainy and can get a bit cold when the wind is up, so not a bad idea to bring something extra to throw on after you finish the snorkel and are heading back to port.

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    Na Pali Catamaran - Raw Nature.  No Starbucks drive-thru on this journey.

    Raw Nature. No Starbucks drive-thru on this journey.

    Na Pali Catamaran
    Na Pali Catamaran

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    Waipa Foundation - foodtours - Updated July 2026

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