Hilo, Hawaii - Exterior of the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm

This is one of the entrances to the production area.  The property is owned by Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, the world's largest producer of macadamia seeds. It has been a subsidiary of the Hershey Company since 2004. The company takes its name from the volcano Mauna Loa. Their headquarters and main processing plant are near the mountain, south of Hilo in the Puna District of the island of Hawaiʻi, known as the Big Island. (source wikipedia)

The tour guide pointed out the piles.  These piles are the waste from the processing plant.

The company promotes sustainable green causes, and is slowly working to become totally carbon neutral by reducing its dependence on conventionally generated electricity - particularly those involving coal and crude oil. At the main production facility, the company owns its own steam generator, which uses plant waste to generate electricity used in the harvesting and packaging of its macadamia seeds. (wikipedia and the company website: http://www.maunaloa.com/about/sustainability.asp)

 The waste is also allowed to compost and is used to fertilize the trees.

 These are scenes around the farming area.

 We stopped at the plant and my next adventure is to take the Self Guided Factory Tour.  The tour is in the following post.

Website: www.maunaloa.com for more information on the products.
For information call:

888.628.6256 (toll free)
808.966.8618

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp.
16-701 Macadamia Road
Keaau, Hawaii 96749

Open Daily
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Factory closed Sundays & holidays