Waimānalo Country Farms is officially open for its summer season. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the beginning of July, according to marketing manager Cheyenne Adams.
“We usually open mid-May for the summer season, but this season we got cut because of the storms,” she says. “The sunflowers will be around from now until the first week of July.”
The sunflower fields are smaller this summer, since the farm lost its spring harvest during the Kona Low storms in March.
“We were hoping to open at the end of May, but it was still junk weather,” Adams says. “(Sunflower growth) depends on the sun; we had to wait for the sun to come out. It usually takes almost 60 days (for sunflowers to grow), but if it’s not sunny, it will be prolonged. Our goal is always to open by Mother’s Day. If the sunflowers don’t bloom by then, then we open the following weekend.”
Individuals can buy tickets — which include access to the sunflower fields and to see the farm’s animals — in-person; no online reservations are available. The fields close at 4 p.m. and the market stands close at 4:30 p.m.
“We don’t do any pre-sales for tickets, because if it does storm, then we close for the day,” Adams says. “People can go and hang out in the sunflower fields for as long as they want (until we close). A lot of people like to shop around our country market, too.”
Hawaiʻi residents can take advantage of kamaʻāina rates — $10 per adult, $5 per child (ages 3-12). Visitor admission is $12 per adult and $8 per child (ages 3 to 12). Children ages 2 years and under have free admission.
Admission includes a visit to the sunflower fields and individuals can also see the farm’s animals, including donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, baby cows and llamas, according to Adams. Sunflowers ($3 per flower) can be purchased at the Country Market Stand; cutting and picking flowers in the field are prohibited.
Additional farm activities include animal feeding ($5) and riding the cow train ($5 per ride per child).
The farm also offers food and drinks for purchase. The food menu includes a variety of sandwiches ($12), wagyu hamburgers and fries ($15), acai bowls ($10), garlic fries ($10) and more.
“Our sandwiches are made using sourdough bread,” Adams says. “Our cornbread ($5) is really popular; people like to order it by the pans.”
The farm is also known for its fresh-squeezed lemonade, available in cups ($5) or jars ($10). Flavors include the original, strawberry, mango, pineapple and li hing mui. The farm’s sweet tea ($5 cup, $10 jar) and Nalo Plantation ($10 jar) are customer favorites; the latter is a mix of sweet tea, lemonade and pineapple.
“Our lemonade is really famous,” Adams says. “Our sweet tea is also really popular. We have an Arnold Palmer (half tea and half lemonade) and the Nalo Plantation is an Arnold Palmer with pineapple. It’s really yummy.”
Professional photo shoots are allowed on the farm during after hours, when the farm isn’t open to the public. Customers can opt for the farm’s in-house photographer or to bring outside photographers.
“All professional photoshoots have to be when we close; we don’t do sessions during the public hours,” Adams confirms.
While Adams says the farm will be open to the public again in the fall for its pumpkin and sunflower event — which usually takes place from the last weekend in September to the first weekend in November — she encourages individuals to enjoy the summer at the farm.
“During the storms, a lot of people asked us how they can help,” Adams says. “Helping is telling people that we’re open, and by coming to the farm now. The summer season is so short; we’re trying to tell as many people about it as we can. Of course, we’re going to be open in October, too, but we have to make the most of sunflower summer season because it’s really nice weather.”
CONTACT
Waimānalo Country Farms
41-225 Lupe St., Waimānalo
808-306-4381
waimanalocountryfarms.com
Instagram: @waimanalocountryfarms
Open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
