Big Island Abalone
Activities (4)
Kona Barbeque
Experience a hands-on culinary adventure with Kona Barbeque, where you become the chef at your own DIY barbecue experience operated by Big Island Abalone. This unique food tour puts you in complete control of the grill, offering fresh premium ingredients and all the tools you need for a memorable outdoor cooking session. Please note: this is NOT a restaurant – they provide space, tools, and food, but you do the cooking. Your adventure begins with registration at the office, where you confirm or pay the amount and receive BBQ ingredients, seasonings, sauces, and complete cooking guidelines. The setup couldn't be more convenient – just show up and start grilling with professionally provided equipment, cookware, and utensils. Once you move to your BBQ site, call the servers to bring your BBQ food. You'll have access to local premium food ingredients at reasonable prices, giving you the freedom to cook at your own pace while enjoying quality time with friends and family. The best part? Zero cleanup required. Once you're finished, the team takes care of everything so you can focus entirely on the cooking and dining experience. This self-grilling adventure welcomes all ages and provides an authentic taste of local Hawaiian barbecue culture. The server gives you cooking guidelines, making it accessible even if you're new to grilling. While drinks aren't included in the package, you can purchase them at the on-site office or food truck before heading to your BBQ site. The experience emphasizes fresh, quality ingredients and delivers the satisfaction of preparing your own meal. The kona barbeque experience runs 1.5 hours and accommodates guests of all ages, making it perfect for families and groups seeking an interactive dining adventure. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time and ensure your waiver is signed in advance – if you haven't electronically signed one, you can sign on paper upon registration. Your package includes all BBQ ingredients, seasonings, sauces, and necessary equipment, though drinks, transportation, and tips for BBQ servers are separate. This distinctive kona barbeque experience offers the perfect blend of local flavors and hands-on fun, creating lasting memories through the simple joy of outdoor cooking from $45.
Farm Tours
Discover a truly unique twist on farm tours Kailua-Kona at Big Island Abalone, Hawaii's only land-based abalone aquaculture facility. This fascinating one-hour experience on Makako Bay Drive takes you behind the scenes of sustainable shellfish farming, offering hands-on encounters with marine life that most visitors never get to experience. Your knowledgeable guide will walk you through the entire operation, sharing the deep water research history and explaining the organic, sustainable methods used to raise these prized mollusks. Watch abalone at every stage of development—from tiny two-month-old juveniles to impressive ten-year specimens ready for harvest—while learning about their intricate breeding process and specialized care requirements. You're welcome to hold these remarkable creatures if you'd like, and photography is encouraged throughout your visit. The tour extends beyond the abalone tanks to showcase the farm's organic dulse seaweed cultivation system. This nutrient-rich "superfood" serves double duty, feeding the abalone while providing a healthy vegetable option for human consumption. Your guide will also introduce you to sea grapes and other edible seaweeds, plus point out local coastal creatures you might spot while snorkeling in nearby waters. What sets this experience apart is the farm-to-table tasting component. Sample grilled abalone served fresh in the shell alongside canned abalone preparations—a true taste of sustainable aquaculture in action. This hands-on approach transforms your visit into something both educational and deliciously memorable. Farm tours Kailua-Kona at Big Island Abalone operate seven days a week at 73-357 Makako Bay Dr, Kailua-Kona. Admission is $35 for adults (ages 9 and older) and $17.50 for children ages 8 and under, with infants and toddlers entering free. Important note: participants with shellfish allergies should skip this tour due to the included tastings. The facility offers free cancellation with 24 hours notice and boasts a 4.8-star rating from over 400 Google reviews, making it a standout choice for those seeking an authentic look at Hawaii's innovative aquaculture scene.
Farm Tour + DIY BBQ package
Dive into Hawaii's most authentic aquaculture experience with Big Island Abalone's farm tour + DIY BBQ package in Kailua-Kona. This unique 2.5-hour adventure blends marine farming education with hands-on cooking, giving you an insider's look at sustainable abalone cultivation followed by a feast you'll grill yourself. Your journey begins at 73-357 Makako Bay Dr with a fascinating 60-minute guided tour through this working aquafarm. You'll discover why Hawaiian abalone commands premium prices at top restaurants while getting up close with these prized shellfish and other local sea creatures. The knowledgeable guides share the intricate cultivation methods and environmental benefits that make their operation so special. Best of all, you'll sample the abalone during tastings throughout the tour. After learning about sustainable farming practices, it's time to fire up the grills for 1.5 hours of DIY barbecuing. The farm provides everything you need: locally sourced beef, chicken, fresh abalone, shrimp, and lobsters, plus their signature seasonings and sauces. All grilling equipment, cookware, and utensils are included, though you'll want to grab drinks from their office or on-site food truck. This farm tour + DIY BBQ package in Kailua-Kona welcomes families—just bring the kids with proper adult supervision since you'll be exploring an active aquafarm. Comfortable walking shoes are smart for touring the facility, though most areas offer good shade. Plan to check in 10 minutes early at the main office where staff will go over safety guidelines before your guided exploration begins. All participants need to sign a waiver beforehand, and you'll want to come hungry for this truly authentic Big Island experience.
Mauka & Makai Farms Van Tour for Foodies
The Mauka & Makai Farms Van Tour for Foodies Kailua-Kona delivers an authentic taste of Big Island agriculture that goes well beyond your typical farm visit. This isn't just sightseeing—it's a hands-on culinary adventure that takes you from mountain slopes (mauka) to oceanside operations (makai), showcasing how Hawaii's unique volcanic soil and coastal environments produce some of the world's most distinctive ingredients. Your guided van journey includes visits to specific local producers that define Big Island cuisine. On Monday through Thursday, you'll explore Big Island Abalone and Doutor Coffee, while Friday tours feature Kona Sea Salt paired with Big Island Abalone. At each stop, professional guides encourage you to touch, taste, and truly understand these working facilities. You'll sample fresh ingredients, collect small souvenirs, and learn sustainable farming practices that have been adapted to Hawaii's remarkable microclimates. The island's diverse growing conditions become immediately apparent as you travel between locations. Mountain areas occasionally see light showers with comfortable 77°F temperatures, while sunny coastal spots typically hover around 86°F—creating the perfect environments for different crops you'll experience firsthand. This isn't passive observation; it's active discovery through direct interaction with the ingredients that make Hawaiian cuisine so special. Here's where this tour truly stands apart: your culinary exploration culminates with a self-grilling BBQ lunch featuring the premium ingredients you've just discovered. You'll prepare your own yakiniku-style meal using marinated sirloin and side skirt beef cuts, plus fresh local seafood and vegetables sourced from the very farms and facilities you've visited. It's an interactive dining experience that connects you directly to the island's agricultural bounty. The mauka & makai farms van tour for foodies comes complete with transportation from your location, expert guide services, all tastings and souvenirs, plus that unforgettable BBQ lunch experience. Choose between the Makai-only option (4 hours 45 minutes) or the comprehensive Mauka & Makai experience (5 hours 15 minutes), with pricing from $185-$235 per person. Planning is essential for this reservation-only experience. Book at least 72 hours in advance, as tours accommodate just 6-14 guests maximum. Children aged 0-4 require car seats while ages 5-10 need booster seats (both provided). Comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing work best for the varying temperatures you'll encounter. This Mauka & Makai Farms Van Tour for Foodies Kailua-Kona offers genuine insider access to Big Island agriculture that serious food enthusiasts won't find anywhere else.