A self guided driving coffee farm tour up to rooster farms

Exploring Bruner Road’s Farm Tours & the Rooster Farms Experience

Nestled in the verdant slopes of South Kona on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, a winding one-lane drive up Bruner Road summons you into a lush mountain landscape dotted with farms—over 20, in fact—as you make your ascent toward Rooster Farms, the oldest certified organic Kona coffee estate.

A Drive with a View

Your journey starts on Bruner Road, a narrow, single-lane ribbon threading through a patchwork of coffee groves and small farms. The road invites a slow, mindful drive—pull‑offs are essential to yield to oncoming traffic, especially if you’re navigating in more than one vehicle  . Along the way, you’ll glimpse vibrant tropical vegetation, traditional homesteads, and the patchwork fields of coffee, taro, turmeric, and ginger.

Arriving at Rooster Farms

Perched at around 1,600 feet between Hualālai and Mauna Loa, Rooster Farms is a small, women‑owned, disability‑owned agroforest that has been certified organic for over 40 years  . Here, education meets immersion—Ed, with his environmental engineering background, and Tara, an artist and master roaster, lead a “seed-to-cup” experience: hand-picking coffee cherries, sun-drying, roasting on a vintage 1974 Sivetz fluidized-bed roaster, and grinding and brewing a fresh cup for visitors  .

This is not just a coffee tasting—it’s a mindful journey through the art and science of farming, supported by permaculture principles in a jungle-like setting  .

What to Expect on the Tour

• Coffee Through Every Stage

  
  

  You’ll explore the entire process: from fruit on the branches to the aromatic brew in your cup  .

• Tasting Experience

  
  

  Your host brews individual cups—often both medium and dark roasts—for you to savor the nuanced flavors of organic Kona coffee. Visitors repeat the experience as both educational and delicious  .

• The Land & Lifestyle

  
  

  It’s a jungle farm—intercropped with turmeric, taro, flowering ginger, and more. You’ll feel planted among living soil, lush growth, and a treehouse-like home surrounded by an active agricultural ecosystem  .

• Personal Touch

  
  

  Tours are intimate and by appointment, which means the hosts have time to personalize the experience. Many visitors recall being greeted warmly and guided with passion and knowledge  . One review notes: “Ed was so chill and knowledgeable … highly recommend!”

Visitor Tips

• Appointment Only

  
  

  Rooster Farms gives tours by appointment only. Be sure to call, email, or book ahead  .

• Road Conditions

  
  

  The last stretch on Bruner Road is narrow and uneven. Drive slowly, use the designated pull‑outs, and bring patience—especially if you’re in a larger vehicle  .

• Facilities

  
  

  There are no public restrooms on the farm, so plan accordingly before you arrive  .

Why It’s Special

This is far more than a staged tasting—it’s an immersive story of sustainability, creativity, and connection to the land. Visitors frequently highlight how the personalized attention, vibrant environment, and slow‑magic of coffee farming make this among the most memorable experiences on Big Island  .