Ali'i Tour at the Mac Nut Farm

I really enjoyed the Ali'i Tour at Tropical Farms and so did the rest of the family, visiting grandparents included.  In trying to decide how to blog about this adventure I've decided against the blow by blow description and instead will give you some highlights and share some pictures.

The tour had a very relaxed and personable feel to it.  The guys who led the tour all seemed to be laid back and have a great sense of humor.  (Not enough seats on the bus?  No worries!  We'll just grab a folding chair and put it in the aisle.  Problem solved!)

They made sure everyone got a chance to see, taste or touch whatever they were highlighting during the tour.

They took the time to take group pictures with everyone both at the end of the amphitheater program and during the boat tour.  (They offered the amphitheater photo for sale at the end of the tour, but were happy to also take it with our cameras.)  That was my favorite part of the tour, the unhurried pace and relaxed attitude that prevailed.  Well, that and the view of the mountains.  Tropical Farms just happens to be next to my favorite section of the Ko'olaus, and even on a cloudy day the view was spectacular.

Our boy's favorite part of the tour was the boat ride, and he's been asking to go on it again.

I thought our girl's favorite part of the tour was going to be the many chickens wandering around at the amphitheater, but in the end the fire dance won out and was her overall favorite.

My husband said his favorite part was watching the guy make fire in a matter of minutes just by rubbing to sticks together.  He'd have done well on Survivor!

You also get the chance to see the setting, and in some cases the sets, for a number of movies and TV shows.  The boat and the bus go by these places so you get a good view of them.  ER, Off the Map and 50 First Dates are some of the shows that have been filmed here.

Definitely a fun tour - one I'd recommend and one we will take again!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  Tropical Farms: the Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet, 49-227 Kamehameha Hwy #A, Kaneohe, HI  96744

Directions:  

• From Kaneohe, head NW on the Kahekili Hwy.  After the juncture with the 830 (where the Hygenic Market is on the corner) this will become the Kamehameha Hwy. and you will continue on it for just under 5 miles.  The turn for Tropical Farms will be on your right.  It is tucked in the trees and is off the road a little bit but is marked with a sign.  If by chance you get to Kualoa Regional Park or Kualoa Ranch you have gone too far. 

• If you are coming SE on the Kamehameha Hwy from the north shore, Tropical Farms will be on your left, shortly after you pass Kualoa Ranch and Kualoa Regional Park.

Parking:  Free parking right out front in their parking lot.

Hours:  Closed Sundays.  Only one tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays and it is at 11.  Tours from 11-4 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  I think the tours begin on the hour, but when I called them it sounded kind of like it depended on when people sign up and how many are signed up and...like I said, it's a laid back pace but relax and go with the flow and you'll have a good time.  Our tour was scheduled for 11 but there were enough people to fill two buses so they divided everyone up and some headed out at 11 and others at 11:30.  

Cost:  $20 for adults, $15 for military and kama'aina with ID, $10 for children ages 6-12, free for children 5 and under.

Other:  

To purchase tickets for the tour, go through the gift shop at Tropical Farms to a separate building in the back where there's a sign and counter for the Ali'i Tour.  

I didn't see any restrooms during the tour, so visit the nice ones in the gift shop before you get on the bus.  

For more info:  The best way to find out more about the tour is to call them directly at 808-589-7411.  They have a webpage but they said it is outdated so I'm not going to link to it.