Our Macadamia Nut Orchards
Nestled on the majestic slopes of Hawaii's Big Island, our fully integrated orchard and processing facility ensures that every macadamia nut we produce is fresh from Hawai’i. This region, celebrated for its tropical sunshine, gentle Tradewinds, consistent rainfall, and rich volcanic soil, provides the ideal conditions for growing the world’s finest macadamia nuts. Our Island Princess orchard is one of the largest and best-maintained in the state. Dedicated workers utilize advanced, sustainable soil management and pruning techniques to ensure optimal fertility and nutrient balance. Organic byproducts from orchard operations are recycled into potting material for our nursery, while nutshells are repurposed as road base throughout the property.
Since macadamia nuts naturally fall to the ground when fully ripe, they are harvested directly from beneath the trees. Within 24 hours of collection, the nuts undergo husking to remove their thick outer shells. After husking, they are transported to our nearby processing facility.
At the facility, the nuts are slow-dried for seven days in specialized drying silos before being cracked. Macadamia nuts have the hardest shell of any nut, requiring a special machine that applies 300 pounds of pressure per square inch to crack them. Once shelled, the nuts are sorted through an innovative saline floatation process to ensure that only the densest, most flavorful nuts make the cut. After sorting, the nuts are lightly roasted, preparing them for the next stage.
Our macadamia nuts are then transported to the Island Princess factory in Honolulu, where they are transformed into gourmet confections. With an integrated harvesting and processing operation and stringent quality controls from the orchard to the factory, we ensure our macadamia nuts are at their peak when they reach production. Each day, our Big Island facility processes a minimum of 30,000 pounds of nuts.
At the Honolulu factory, these premium nuts are crafted into a wide variety of confections, from rich chocolates to other gourmet delights, showcasing the very best of Hawaii's macadamia nut tradition.
Our Story
Island Princess began in 1985 as a small shop called "Maui's Best," offering hand-dipped chocolates. These unique treats quickly gained popularity, leading to expanded production in a Maui factory. In 1989, manufacturing moved to Honolulu, taking advantage of a larger labor force and more efficient shipping.
That same year, Island Princess acquired a macadamia nut orchard and processing facility on the Hilo side of the Big Island, making us one of the few companies in Hawaii that grows, processes, manufactures, and distributes macadamia nuts and confections. Located on the slopes of Mauna Kea, the Island Princess Orchard Estate spans over 1,000 acres of pristine farmland, providing the perfect conditions for producing premium macadamia nuts with rich, full flavors.
In 2017, Island Princess partnered with Hawaiian King Candies and Coffees of Hawaii, uniting three esteemed companies under one roof. Together, we offer the finest Hawaii-grown products, from roasted macadamia nuts and delectable confections to savory snacks and world-class coffee.
Our success stems from a deep commitment to quality, creativity, and exceptional service. What began as a family-run retail shop has grown into a multifaceted company known for delivering the very best Hawaiian-made snacks and confections.
Our loyal customers have come to trust Island Princess for products made with Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts, crafted using top-quality ingredients and innovative recipes. These creations are enjoyed year-round, offering a true taste of the Islands.
Our world-famous Mele Macs are our top seller. To give a sense of their popularity, if you were to stack all the Mele Macs consumed in one year, they would reach from sea level to the summit of Haleakala (over 10,000 feet), more than 40 times over.
With a strong work ethic, boundless energy, and visionary leadership from our owners, Island Princess continues to set new standards of excellence.