drawing of macadamia nut fruit with leaves

HAWAII’s premier nut

History

Welcome to the world of Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts! Did you know these delicious nuts are rooted in Hawaii's rich agricultural legacy? Let's dive deeper into the story behind these crunchy and buttery treats.

Macadamias in Hawaii

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1881

William Herbert Purvis plants macadamias from Australia at Kapulena, setting the foundation for the macadamia nut industry in Hawaii.

1892

Edward Walter Jordan and Robert Alfred Jordan add macadamia trees to various small crops with economic potential at their homestead on Oahu Island.

Early 1900s

Ernest Sheldon Van Tassel launches the Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Company and starts selling “Van’s Macadamia Nuts” grown and harvested from trees he planted on Oahu and the Big Island.

1931

Castle & Cooke, Ltd. starts planting macadamia trees on 1,000 acres in Keaau on the Big Island.

1960s

The Honomalino Agricultural Company creates a 3,500-acre macadamia orchard, and C. Brewer & Co. covers the Pahala area with macadamia trees. Family farmers such as Joe Kamagaki and the Oue brothers in South Kona provide nuts for locals and tourists alike.

Today

Macadamia production remains a vital industry in Hawaii with more than 600 orchards operating on less than five acres of land, and a farmgate value of $62.7 million in 2021.

A sustainable industry for generations to come

Hawaii's unique climate and fertile soil, along with our farmers' commitment to quality and sustainability, contribute to the exceptional flavor of Hawaii-grown macadamias.

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