Visitors can experience the growing, harvesting and processing of macadamia nuts into a variety of products for sale at the location and beyond at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center. Located near the Mauna Loa volcano mountain on the island of Hawaiʻi (aka the Big Island), the Visitor Center highlights what it can mean to transform what would otherwise just be an industrial location into a hub of activity that makes an economic and cultural impact.
Experiencing Macadamia History
While macadamia nut are native to Australia, many more are produced in Hawaii in the modern era, as the region has nearly perfect growing conditions for macadamias.
The first Mauna Loa macadamia plantation was established in 1946, which ushered in the era of industrial production. The Mauna Loa plantation continues to thrive on the location where the very first macadamia nut trees were planted that year.
The actual process to go from the field to factory is something visitors can literally see at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center. At various locations, visitors can look across the fields where the plants are harvested and then onto the actual production line where macadamia shell are processed from kernel to edible product. Residents and visitors can experience this process in a way that provides a better perspective around how and why the macadamia nut has become one of the most iconic products of Hawaii.
At the Visitor Center itself, guests are offered samples of various macadamia nut products. There are a variety of products for sale at the gift shop, ranging from macadamia nuts of all different flavors to various apparel and gifts. There is also an exclusive selection of Mauna Loa products available for sale only at the factory. Additionally, the store has made room for other local Hawaiian brands and products, highlighting what it can mean to take these local connections to the next level.
Mentioned as a “must visit” when on the Big Island, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center has transformed what would otherwise just be an industrial location into a spot that attracts audiences to the area and drives a direct and indirect economic impact.
Bringing the Experience of Macadamia Nuts to Visitors
Created to bring the experience of the macadamia nut to all visitors, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center has actively cultivated engagement at the type of location that would otherwise be purely industrial, highlighting what can happen when a local business becomes a regional landmark.
