Though Hawaii is one of America’s smallest states, there are still plenty of undeveloped gems to discover throughout the islands, including countless incredible farms and ranches – from Maui’s fragrant Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm to Oahu’s Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe. And while Hawaii Island may be more well known for Parker Ranch – the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States – there is a lesser known bee farm that is anything but ordinary. This is Big Island Bees, and it is a truly remarkable farm worthy of a spot on your Hawaiian bucket list – as long as you aren’t deathly allergic, or terrified, of bees.
Located on Hawaii Island’s Kona Coast in Captain Cook is this stunning bee farm known for making the best single-source artisanal honey around.
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Founded in 1971 with just a few bee hives, Big Island Bees has since grown to encompass more than 3,800 hives and 190 million bees.
Big Island Bees/Facebook
There are at least 500 bees in this single case, if you were curious.
Big Island Bees/Facebook
The farm produces several varieties of pure and organic honey, with no heating, filtering or blending. Honey varieties include lehua blossom, wilelaiki blossom and macadamia nut blossom. The farm also creates and sells other food products like honey mustard, and even beeswax candles and soaps, lip balm, and t-shirts.
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Not only do honeybees produce magnificent honey, they also pollinate flowers, which provides the average person with nearly ⅓ of the foods that make up their diet. In the United States alone, the crops pollinated by bees are worth more than $18 billion dollars.
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Did you know that these bees need to fly 48,000 miles in order to produce a single pound of raw, organic Hawaiian honey?
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Visit Big Island Bees for a tour of their farm…
Big Island Bees/Facebook Farm tours are available at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Saturdays. On this tour, you will learn about bees and honey from skilled beekeepers, and even get to witness an open beehive demonstration - from a safe, screened in viewing area, of course! Reservations are encouraged, and farm tours cost $10 for adults, $8 with Hawaii ID, and nothing for anyone under 18 years old.
…or simply drop by the free museum.
Big Island Bees/Yelp Here you can sample honey and learn about bees and beekeeping through various displays. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Have you ever been to Big Island Bees? Share your experiences with us on our Only In Hawaii Facebook page, or check out this epic farm trail across Maui.
Big Island Bees/Facebook
Farm tours are available at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Saturdays. On this tour, you will learn about bees and honey from skilled beekeepers, and even get to witness an open beehive demonstration - from a safe, screened in viewing area, of course! Reservations are encouraged, and farm tours cost $10 for adults, $8 with Hawaii ID, and nothing for anyone under 18 years old.
Big Island Bees/Yelp
Here you can sample honey and learn about bees and beekeeping through various displays. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
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