At Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate, all proceeds go to charity. Started by a retired biotech executive, its success is being followed closely by others in the fledgling cacao industry.
Dan O'Doherty, the vice president of the company, is committed to crafting locally-sourced chocolates with an extra taste of Hawaiʻi.
The company is known for its unique flavors, including a lemongrass-flavored chocolate.
The recent destruction from Maui wildfires have put a pause on the operations. O'Doherty is currently on Oʻahu trying to get a handle on the damage. As of Thursday, his workers were okay but some were left homeless by the fire.
This interview aired on The Conversation on August 10, 2023. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.
