Buying a Macadamia Nut Farm in Hawaiʻi: What to Check and How to Plan

A macadamia nut farm is a long term orchard business. The value is in the trees: how old they are, how much they produce, and who buys the nuts. Before you make an offer, check tree age and yield records, the buyer for the crop, pests, water, and whether the land is fee simple or leasehold, then build a farm plan with real cost and income numbers.

Key takeaways

• Almost all of Hawaiʻi's macadamia nuts grow on Hawaiʻi Island, in Kona, Kaʻū, Hāmākua, Kohala, and the Hilo side.

• Trees bear a small crop around year 5 and reach full production at about 12 to 15 years, so tree age drives value.

• USDA reported 16,000 bearing acres in Hawaiʻi for 2023, an average yield of 2,300 pounds per acre, and an average price of 84 cents a pound in shell.

• Ask who buys the crop now and whether that contract or relationship carries over.

• Build a farm plan before you buy: costs, labor, harvest, and a range of prices. Past results do not promise future income.

Where macadamia nuts grow

Macadamia orchards cover large parts of Hawaiʻi Island, from small family farms in Kona and Kaʻū to large orchards on the Hilo and Hāmākua side. Rainfall, elevation, and wind all affect yield. In Kona, many smaller farms grow macadamia alongside coffee.

Trees are the value

Macadamia is a slow crop. University of Hawaiʻi Extension guidance says trees bear a small crop in about the fifth year after planting and reach full production in 12 to 15 years. A mature orchard in good health is worth much more than a young planting or an orchard that has been neglected. Ask for:

• A map of the orchard blocks with tree count, age, and varieties.

• Several years of harvest weights and what the farm was paid.

• Pruning, fertilizing, and pest records.

• What equipment conveys: harvesters, sweepers, husking and drying gear, vehicles.

Prices and who buys the crop

Most growers sell nuts in shell to a processor. USDA's Hawaiʻi report shows the average price fell from $1.24 a pound in 2020 to 84 cents in 2023, so income can swing a lot from year to year. Ask the seller who buys the nuts, on what terms, and whether that buyer will take your crop. Farms that process and sell their own nuts, or sell to tourists, have a different business and need their own records.

Pests and weather

The macadamia felted coccid was found in South Kona in 2005 and has spread across the island. It causes branch dieback and lowers yield. Ask how the farm controls it and other pests, and how rats are managed. Heavy rain and drought both affect harvests, so compare yields across several years, not one.

Land, water, and taxes

• Fee simple or leasehold: some orchards sit on leased land. Read the lease term, rent, and transfer rules. See Kamehameha Schools leasehold farm land in Kona.

• Water: confirm County water, catchment, or irrigation, and the cost. See catchment vs County water.

• Zoning: most orchards are in the State Agricultural District with County ag zoning, which limits homes and other uses. See Hawaiʻi land zoning explained.

• Taxes: ask if the land is dedicated to agriculture. A new owner takes on that commitment. See agricultural dedication and property taxes.

Build a farm plan before you buy

Treat the purchase like buying a small business. Before you make an offer, put together a plan with your own advisors:

• Yearly costs: labor, fertilizer, pest control, equipment, water, insurance, and property tax.

• Harvest: expected pounds per acre based on tree age and the farm's records.

• Income: a low, middle, and high case using a range of nut prices, not one number.

• Timeline: how long until young trees pay, and what replanting would cost.

A plan like this shows what the farm can support and what price makes sense. Your lender will likely ask for one too. Maile and eXp Realty are not lenders, accountants, or financial advisors.

Common questions

How long does it take a macadamia tree to produce?

A small crop around year 5 after planting, and full production at about 12 to 15 years, according to University of Hawaiʻi Extension guidance.

What do macadamia nut farmers get paid in Hawaiʻi?

USDA reported an average of 84 cents a pound in shell for 2023, down from $1.24 in 2020. Prices change every year.

Where are macadamia nuts grown in Hawaiʻi?

Mostly on Hawaiʻi Island, including Kona, Kaʻū, Hāmākua, Kohala, and the Hilo side.

What pests affect macadamia farms in Hawaiʻi?

The macadamia felted coccid, found in South Kona in 2005, is a major one. Rats and other insects also cut yields.

Sources: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Hawaiʻi Fruits and Nuts, May 2024; Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, macadamia felted coccid pest advisory; University of Hawaiʻi Extension, macadamia crop guidance via Ag Marketing Resource Center. Figures are statewide averages and vary by farm. This is not financial advice.

About the author: Maile Woodhall (pronounced Miley) is a licensed Hawaiʻi REALTOR (RS-88019) with The Agency Team Hawaii, eXp Realty (RB-21841), born and raised in Kona, and has a background in farm business planning for coffee and macadamia nut operations. Questions? Call or text (808) 482-5800.

Related guides: Buying a home in Kona; Buying a coffee farm in Kona; Buying a working farm in Hawaiʻi; Buying acreage above the highway in Kealakekua and Kainaliu.

Last updated: October 2026.