Big Island Candies Factory, Hilo

Another fun thing to do when you are out sightseeing is to go by the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitors center. Go south on Hwy 11 about 5 miles, turn at sign,it is 2 1/2 miles off the highway. You see Macadamia trees on both sides of the road on the way. You can walk down the outside walkway of the factory and see how the nuts are shelled, roasted, and packed.
There are usually tours but they had shut down early the day that we were there. Across the road is a small gift shop and snack bar.

Big Island Candies has the best hand dipped shortbread macadamiia nut cookies. You can watch as the cookies are being made on the factory tour. Have a few samples they keep around. A yummy place to visit:)

The picture reminds me of lucy at the chocolate factory:)

Another MUST DO when in Hilo is to visit the Big Island Candies factory. From the airport, come out to the main road, and continue straight across the intersection for two blocks. You will see a large factory like building, painted light blue, on your right. This is the Big Island Candies building.
Big Island Candies makes the best chocolate dipped shortbread cookies ever. Each rectangular cookie is dipped diagonally in chocolate, then individually wrapped and boxed. So delicious! They also have a variety of other chocolate confections. Most tourist leave carrying boxes full of chocolate to take home as gifts.

The afternoon tour went first to the Big Island Candies where we could see candy being made. We bought some (they make macadamia nut cookies and chocolates), but it didn't last very long as we didn't have much time for lunch. It was a very short stop and I don't have any photos of it.

Factory operation viewable between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Monday – Friday (except holidays).