Oahu: Kō Hana Rum Distillery Tour & Tasting in Kunia

Summary

Oahu’s historic Kunia farm distillery tour with tasting bar

You’ll press cane juice with your own hands, wander through native sugarcane gardens in Kunia, breathe in the barrel room’s oak-and-molasses air, and finish with a guided tasting at Oahu’s only rum distillery. Expect warm local stories and flavors you didn’t see coming—it’s more than just sipping rum.

What’s the experience like?

Hands sticky from the fresh cane juice, I watched our guide—Keoki, I think he said—slice another stalk and pass it around. The air out here in Kunia is sweet but not cloying, just a hint of grass and something old—maybe the ghost of pineapples from when this was still Delmonte land. We’d barely started the Kō Hana Rum tour and already my shoes were a little muddy from wandering between rows of native Hawaiian canes. I tried to pronounce one of their names; Keoki grinned and corrected me gently, then told us how each variety has its own story.

Inside the old general store (the walls still smell faintly of wood and rum), we ducked into the barrel room where it’s cool and quiet except for a soft drip somewhere in the back. The scent hit me first—oak, molasses, maybe a bit of spice? Hard to pin down but it lingers on your clothes. Keoki let us taste some honey aged in those same barrels; honestly, I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. Someone asked about the hot sauce and he just laughed—“Careful with that one.”

The tasting bar was last. Four rums lined up, light catching in each glass. The agricole style is grassy, almost sharp at first sip, but then there’s this warmth that sticks around after you swallow. We compared notes quietly; even strangers start talking after a couple sips. I still think about that first taste—the way it surprised me—and how everyone seemed to relax all at once. So yeah, if you’re curious about rum or just want an hour away from Waikiki crowds, this day trip to Kō Hana Rum distillery is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided rum tour and tasting

• Arrive at historic Kunia location
• Enjoy fresh pressed cane juice
• Walk through native Hawaiian sugar cane garden
• Experience aroma of barrel room
• Taste one of three rum options

Top questions

How long is the Kō Hana Rum tour?

The guided tour lasts 45-60 minutes.

Is transportation included for this Oahu rum tasting?

No hotel pickup is included; guests must arrange their own transport.

Are children allowed on the Kō Hana Rum distillery tour?

Yes, children are welcome if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 21.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What does the rum tasting include?

The tasting includes four different rums plus samples like barrel-aged honey and rum cake.

Where is Kō Hana Rum located?

Kō Hana Rum Distillery is in historic Kunia on Oahu at the former Delmonte Pineapple Plantation general store.

Can infants join the tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

How many people are on each tour group?

A maximum of 15 guests per tour group is allowed.

What’s included

Your day includes a fully guided walk through Oahu’s only rum distillery with tastings of four different rums at the bar plus samples of barrel-aged honey, rum cake, and hot sauce—all led by a local guide who shares stories along the way.