Kahua Ranch Reviews

This was the most fun I have had in a very long time! After a beautiful view of the ocean from the ranch you are met by Sue Foit and her staff. Before dinner you can play a game of horseshoes and climb upon a horse who loves to drink beer. At dinner there is a country band who plays while you eat dinner which was steak or chicken with side dishes and desert. After dinner there is a hostess lead met and greet and line dancing for everyone, if you want to join in. After that you can go to practice your calf roping, branding, or making s’mores. I did all three. If that’s not enough you can look at the stars through a high powered telescope. I did that too! Like I said at the beginning, it is one of the most enjoyable evening I’ve had in a very long time! I HIGHLY recommend doing this. You’ll talk about this experience for years!!

We drove but they offer bus transportation from several resorts. After a orientation by the head kahuna we were invited to sit down for dinner on the covered lanai. Dinner us buffet style and was tasty. Salad, potatoes, corn, BBQ beans, chicken and steak were some of the foods offered. Also desert was mac pie, really very sweet but not to my liking, I don't like pecan either. After dinner the Hostess, a really nice lady, had people dancing on the dance floor. My one complaint was the dinner music by two performers was too loud, making it very difficult to talk and make new friends at the dinner table. After dinner you can lasso a sawhorse, sit on a horse, gather around a campfire and brand a wood shingle with a K to take home as a souvenir. there is also a gift shop with assorted items for purchase.

Sue and John spare no effort to make you feel comfortable , entertained and fed. The staff is great, bringing the open bar to you, serving and clearing dishes. A FANTASTIC meal is provided made more memorable from the history lesson of the ranch and island cattle industry given when we arrived. Catchy classic live C&W music keeps you humming, toe tapping and dancing. The view is breathtaking, star gazing is available. Line dancing lessons, cattle roping lessons, horses for photo opportunities and s'mores make it fun for old and young alike. Again, Sue and John treat you as family. An unexpected treat was the relationships we developed with the other guests!! What a fabulous group of warm and genuine FOLKS, it was like a loving family reunion. We had a BLAST.

I have been here many times over the years whenever I visit Big Island. On our visit last night the setting was as spectacular as always, the ranch personnel were super friendly as usual, the country music duo guitar was just as out of tune as ever and the activities were just as engaging. The telescope was a welcome addition.

I understand that the regulators now require the food be prepared in a certified kitchen which eliminates open grilling and thus no more grilled steaks. But at least on the night we attended the beef stew that has replaced the steak was nearly inedible, cooked beyond recognition to a stringy chewiness. Not a good advertisement for a working cattle ranch.

I will still return and bring others but hope to find a slightly more palatable dinner next time.

What a great find! The ranch is something we will reminisce about for years to come! The food was great, the hosts were very friendly AND talented! Picked up at our condo by Tommy our Grayline bus driver, who did an awesome job of telling us all about the island cowboys, island history and our surroundings as we traveled to the ranch. Once we arrived we were greated by the ranch hosts and treated to a wonderful evening of events that included a open bar where your beer or wine glass was never empty, ranch introduction and history by Tom, fantastic buffet of BBQ steak, chicken, greens, beans, ect.....topped of with macadamia pie that was to die for, live music, campfire singing, lessons in rope handling, piggly wiggly visit, ect! Great adventure with gorgeous mountain scenery! Thanks Susan and Raymond for a great time!

We were the first to be picked up at 15:30
Got to the ranch at 18:30 in the dark
We were greeted by the owner of the ranch
Did a brief history of the ranch
Beer and wine was available all night
Dinner was ok , salad, mashed potatoes, corn, beans ,rolls, dry over cooked chicken,
Steaks were ok sirloin strip but would have been better if they came from the cattle ranch we came to see not from Safeway or Costco’s
Had some good country music and line dancing
Our bus driver Tommy was very informative and funny

My friend and I had an excellent time at the ranch. The staff was incredibly kind and accommodating. We started off the evening by taking the tour bus from Kona to the ranch. This was such a treat. Our tour bus driver gave us a lot of information about the island as we drove north toward the ranch. He pointed out beaches to visit, gave us some history of the island and plenty of interesting tidbits about the surrounding scenery, all with a warm sense of humor. When we arrived at the ranch, we were enthusiastically greeted by the members of the staff who welcomed us in for the nights festivities. We were invited to help ourselves to drinks from the open bar (beer, wine, water, juice, soda) and then find a seat in the large open-air dining room. A history of the ranch and an introduction was given, and then we were invited to help ourselves to the food and/or look around the immediately surrounding area. We said hello the the dogs and the horse, and ventured into the cute gift shop before lining up for the food. The food is set up as a buffet, and it was very, very good! Overall, the night was great. I loved the fun, casual and warm atmosphere of the ranch. It was especially great to see all of the animals! It seemed like a great event for families. All of the children I saw were having a great time. The bus ride home was wonderful, because there was no need to worry about driving after visiting the open bar. My only suggestion to future visitors of the ranch is to bring a light sweater or jacket because it gets a bit chilly once the sun sets. Thank you Kahua Ranch! It was a great night to remember!

This was definitely an unexpected "to do" in Hawaii. I had no idea that cattle ranching was such a big deal on the Big Island. Evening starts off with bus pick up at your hotel/resort. Then about a 1 1/2 hour drive to the ranch with amazing views along the way. Everyone at Kahua Ranch was super friendly. Free drinks (wine & beer only) and amazing food. Buffet style ranch food - stark, potatoes, corn, etc... there was live music, dancing, snores by the fire and even a friendly pig - lol! My youngest made some new friends and enjoyed running around playing. For something different than the beach or a evening at a restaurant- I would recommend a visit to the Kahua Ranch.

The ranch was beautiful and definitely a different experience from our many previous visits. But the apartment was disappointing because the view over green hills to the ocean from the wall of windows in the main room was completely blocked by the roof of the adjacent house. This was not shown in any of the photos so it was easy to expect views like the photos. Most reviewers didn’t mention the obstruction or that the little outside table had views of several old sheds and pens. Glimpses of rolling green are visible in side windows but none with comfortable seating (like in the stairwell going to the laundry in the garage). What bothered us so much would probably be no problem for younger, more active people who wouldn’t mind walking and sitting on the grass to enjoy the peaceful green vistas whatever the weather.

Breath taking views. I never stop enjoying each moment we have here. All ages a cultures just enjoying life. Mahalo. To Richards Family n Sue

Absolutely wonderful experience. So many just think of Hawaii as beaches and volcanos. Well, they are definitely missing out on this treasure of Hawaii if they do not come to Kahua Ranch. Yes, it is a long bus trip... just sit back , relax, enjoy the scenery and the info that the bus driver tells you about the history and sights. At the ranch - the hospitality is 10+, food is wonderful (should have brought a ziploc bag for my left overs!), great entertainment and the stargazing is beyond words. Look for travel deals and discounts $.

It's and hour bus ride from Kailua, but they pick you up at your resort. Driver was very funny and informative as you make the drive into the mountains. Ranch itself is the real thing, and they've been putting on this experience for a long time. Sunset beyond compare, excellent food, a little line dancing and a chance to rope a wooden steer. Unfortunately the pet hog has gone to hog heaven since we did this a few years ago. Good value, especially when compared to luaus.

Visiting a ranch may not seem like the ultimate Hawaiian vacation, but this is a magical evening you won't want to miss.

Available only on Wednesday nights, this 3 hour tour gives spectacular views, illustrious history, and fantastic food.

Our tour guide, Sue, was the belle of the ball. And there are activities for the entire family to enjoy.

My favorite part was holding a 3 week old baby goat, Elsa, who was abandoned by her mother for not being able to suckle. The ranchers found her and adopted her, so she made a special guest appearance.

Local beer and California wines are served in bounty

If you want an alternative Hawaiian experience, the evening at Kahua Ranch is the perfect evening. The breathtaking views from the mountainside are a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Learning about the ranching on the Big Island was very informative and interesting as well. The all you can eat buffet offered country style comfort foods of both chicken and beef with hearty sides followed by a macadamia nut pie dessert. The bar offered beer and wine. The family style seating was great for getting to know people from all around the world. The entertainment tied everything together warmly as we were engaged with country singing and dancing. The hostess made us feel like family. But the fun didn't stop there. After dinner, there were activities in the barn and s'mores by the fire. Overall, it was a lovely evening full of all the great elements of good food, good entertainment, good conversation and laughter.

Absolutely breath taking views! They truly go out of their way to entertain you and make sure you feel welcomed. Everything about the evening was perfect. Gorgeous setting, good food and plenty of it, beer, wine, water, soda and etc (your glass will never be empty), History of the ranch explained as well as today’s workings, s’mores, calf roping, branding a piece of wood to take home, star gazing, line dancing, live music, take photos with a horse, gift shop. A little bit of everything, something for everyone. Would recommend taking advantage of the bus transportation, it is a beautiful trip, but mountain roads and when it gets dark it is really dark. The bus driver is entertaining and the sights are A+, plus it allows you to enjoy even more wine and beer. Cannot rave enough about the experience. Have been on many trips to multiple Hawaiian islands, have done many different excursions, luau’s and such, pretty sure this will be one of the activities we will all remember.

Really enjoyed our recent trip to Kahua Ranch. Every thing from the bus driver who did an excellent job getting us to and from this grand event and provided history of area on way to Raymond who greeted us coming off the bus, to the great food that we enjoyed, to the awesome activities we participated in. Lots of fun was enjoyed by all.

Always a great time. Great food and entertainment. A wonderful place to see the stars without surrounding city lights. Enjoyable for the entire family.

This past Tuesday, September 30th was the night my husband and I will keep in our hearts until the next time we come to the Big Island. Food, music and festivities filled the night at Kahua Ranch. It began with wine, beer, sodas and water...and then with a food plate anyone who loves beef and chicken would find scrumptious! The beef rib eye steaks were so tasty after being done on mesquite wood fired grill that I did not mind to ask for mine rare. When u are a meat eater you begin to crave grass fed meat as soon as you step on this ranch. That cold night we snuggle warm in our sweatshirts we purchased at the ranch store.
Then later we were spoiled on tender beef and moist and tasty chicken. The chicken came with a gravy I want to get the recipe for...it was that delicious! The macadamia nut pie was a separate hit for the night....every single person I talked to never had one like it before!
A cool Hawaiian sing-a-long followed along with some campfire activities such as s'mores and letter branding and horsehoe play.
Whether you are a kid or not you would have as much as my husband and I did (he is 54 and I am 51).
Thanks to a lady who lives in Hawaii and works in Kona for letting us know about this night full of fun. We actually met her at Waikoloa of all places and we are very glad we did.
We also will never forget the hospitality of our hosts and crew as well as those beaming stars in sky from the view point--we felt like we could touch the Milky Way....so inspiring that we felt like we were home!

Fun hosts, food, bonfire, dancing, roping demonstrations and branding, as well as gazing through a telescope to see Jupiter. Meet lots of nice people from all over the United States. Enjoyed immensely!

We had a great time at this working cattle ranch for dinner with an open bar (beer/wine) and entertainment Hawaiian-Cowboy style. The buffet dinner included all-you-could-eat steak, chicken, salads, potatoes, and a slab of macnut pie (a treat you MUST try even at about 1000 calories per slice). We had a campfire with a sing-a-long, a chance to view Jupiter through a telescope in a flawless sky and practiced branding (on a wooden shingle). Highly recommended while you are on the Big Island.

What made it for us was John Richards, the owner and host -- very engaging and informative. Dinner was good and there is open bar for beer and wine, so would recommend the bus option. Good for kids. Glad to do it once.

We booked for this event when being briefed on local attractions at Paniolo Greens Resort (discount for using Shell card). Both buses all but full, making over a hundred people on our evening. Great views and an interesting commentary on the way up to 3,500ft - we were literally in the clouds. Open bar dispensed drinks immediately on arrival and on demand thereafter.
"Big John" gave an informative and humorous talk, dinner was served in a buffet line, music and line dancing. Each person had a chance to brand the big K on a cedar shingle as a souvenir. Crowd really responsive to all the old tunes. Buses had us back to our gate soon after 10.15pm. Great night

The Ranch was beautiful. We took pictures with a horse, branded a piece of wood, danced, made s'mores, played games, looked at the stars, learned about cattle ranching, and had an amazing dinner (especially the beef and the pie)! I would recommend that you drive yourself if possible because you save some money and get there earlier.

We recently spent the evening at Kahua Ranch on the Big Island. They provided transportation with a driver narration, which was very interesting. The owner gave us a talk about cattle ranching in Hawaii and he was great! Would you believe they transport them by air to the west coast for slaughtering? There isn't a slaughter house anywhere in HI.

The buffet was average -- not very interesting. The bbq beef was extremely salty; I couldn't eat it. The veggies were from a can and the rolls were boring.

There is an 18" telescope to view the skies, live music with line dancing, "calf" roping with sawhorses and make your own s'mores. Lots to do.

The staff did everything they could do to make sure we had a good time They were all cheerful and helpful.

The road up the mountain is extremely curved. You'll be going back in the dark. Very dark. I recommend you use their transportation rather than navigating the road yourself.

what a fabulous hootenanny! we had such fun, everything was wonderful; the view, the food(and plenty of it), the hosts were so welcoming, the MC so entertaining and enlightening, the music was great, the sing along and the line dancing was a treat, and the animals were friendly especially the big pig. Who knew that the wild west was alive and kicking on the big island. woohoo!

Went this month. The lava didn’t stop us. We still enjoyed a beautiful evening with Sue. Wonderful ranch w view that Is inspiring and breath taking. Side of Big island with cattle and sheep. Sunsets that you see in the movies. Dinner was great, staff was helpful ,friendly. Sue made us all so excited to be here. Music by Dave Toland was all so a nice treat. We got dance,rope,brand a board,made s’mores n enjoy a big camp fire. There’s even a gift shop! We will come again. Thank you Sue.

We had a wonderful time, perfect for all ages. Great music, great Steaks and Chicken. The views were spectacular, we even saw a Lunar Rainbow. We made s'mores, they have horseshoes, branded our own souvenir, my grandsons are 2 1/2 & 4. 1/2 and they learned how to rope a cow. All 6 of us had a great time. The trip up to Ranch was amazing rolling hills lava fields and the view from the top was amazing. Make sure you check this out,and meet the pig he is so big. Fun, fun, fun. All the food wine, beer, soda's , fruit juice you can eat and drink, great salad, baked beans, mashed potatoes, barbecue chicken, steaks, rolls, just overall a great enjoyable experience.

Great place to watch the sunset on the mountain and then stargaze later. The family opens the ranch to sunset dinners on Wednesday nights which I suggest to go to. Great home cooking on a vacation with some good wine or beer. You get a quick taste of ranch life and meet there tamed boar who loves to eat bread. Good time for all!

We booked our trip to Kahula Ranch the night before and by phoning the number on the pamphlet we picked up, I was able to get a better price than what was quoted on the Internet. Don't use Hawaii Discount (online). Their price seemed better initially, but when I went to check out of it, there was a $19.95 fee for using their service. We took the coaandroid the ranch and received lots of information on island history, horticulture, Parker Ranch, lava flows, etc. which really made the ride go quickly. Everyone connected with this operation were super friendly, the meal was great, drinks refilled as often as we wanted. We were entertained by an amazing musician, playing an instrument I had never seen before which sounded like a fiddle. Piggly Wiggly was a favorite of many, along with at least three small dogs. Lots of interaction with the crowd and sharing Kahuna Ranch's story. A great evening all around.

We were collected by bus driver Tommy in front of the Kona Reef Resort and given an informative and humorous perspective of the Kailua-Kona area and Hwy 19 north to Kohala Mountain Road. The scenic coastal area soon changed to lava flows and dry desert-like moonscapes. Narrow pavement and shear drop-offs alond the road provided for some exicting moments. Thanks Tommy, you're the best bus driver in the world. We were greeted at the ranch by the Richards family personally and received a great overview of ranch operations followed by open beer and wine bar and an extraordinary meal of BBQ steak and chicken. Country singers provided some entertainment along with line dancing instructions. Overall a fantastic experience.

We enjoyed our evening here. Lots of activities for familes and interesting program. The music was OK, but standard mainland country music. Would have loved to hear some Paniolo style Hawaiian music as part of the program.

Great fun for the family- our 12 year old granddaughter loved it. Interesting talk about running the ranch and the difficulties involved followed by a very good barbecue dinner with fun entertainment. Then lasso lessons, branding, and meeting Miss Piggly Wiggly. The ranch is very green and lovely too with a beautiful view of the ocean below. Great fun!

This was a totally awesome evening. I didn't think the tour bus was ever going to get us there. The ranch is high above Waimea and gave us beautiful views of both mountains and the coast. The closer we got, we began to see cows and sheep in wide open pastures. We were greeted like family by John Richards. He gave us a minute to get a cold drink and then gave us the history of the ranch. Totally fascinating! Then it was off to a delicious Steak and Chicken buffet with Macadamia Nut Pie for dessert. An open bar with Kona Brewery Beer and red & white wine was a wonderful added touch. Throughout the rest of the evening we had country music and other entertainment. We got to try our hand at roping and branding.
For me, the thrill of the evening was getting to meet some of the critters of the ranch.
Laka (sp?) a ranch horse, Piggly Wiggly the Richards pet boar and my absolute favorite, Elsa Rose, a 3 week old rescued goat. She was abandoned by her mom and had difficulty swallowing. They have taken great care of her and she is thriving. She was a total delight and I loved watching her jump around and climb. A total joy.
Lastly, we saw the most breathtaking sunset. This is a definitely a must do.

Attended evening @ the ranch 3/15/17.Great welcome and presentation, John was very personable, as well as knowledgeable and informative as to ranch operations. Appreciate his extra time for questions. Varied and interesting activities including roping, horseshoes and branding. Great buffet (especially for us devoted carnivores), along with complimentary entertainment. Wonderful activity for solos, couples or families, very kid friendly. 5 star! Highly recommend as an evening activity on the Big Island!

We were very excited to do something different on the Big Island. This sounded like it fit the bill. The drive from Kona is 2 hours. The views were good. When we got to the ranch the owner greeted us. There was wind, beer and non alcoholic drinks available. The owners son gave an overview of the property. There was a horse to climb on and take a picture. However, we did not see any cows.

The food was very good and the entertainment was as well. We were disappointed in the fact that we didn't see any "real ranch" activities, cowboys or COWS?

It was a lot of money for a bus ride, dinner and a little entertainment. Wish we could have see how the ranch really operated.

I totally LOVE this place. I live on the Island and have been to the Dinner At The Ranch multiple times. It is a beautiful family friendly time in a WONDERFUL setting. The drive from the town of Waimea is the prettiest ever so it begins there. The food’s great, the music is fun, the line dancing is very welcoming. John gives a nice welcome talk with a bit of history and Sue meets everyone with a smile. Our adult kids loved it and the teen grandkids claimed it as one of their favorite things. As everyone already said, the sunset is gorgeous and it’s located for great star gazing. Best steaks I have found on The Big Island so don’t hesitate, make a visit. You won’t regret it!

Food is not Merriman's quality by any means, but there is a lot of it and it's filling. Endless beer or wine, they keep coming around and topping you off.

Steak, chicken, rolls, salad, potatoes and macadamia nut pie for dessert. Buffet style service. Entertainment is slightly hokey, but I didn't mind.

It's kind of like a family cookout with s'mores for the kids. We go as a family about once a year just for the view.

The road up is a bit scary, be sure to have someone who isn't drinking drive.

This was our 3rd visit to the ranch in 10yrs of coming to Hawaii. This time we bought friends with us and they also had a fun night.
You have to enjoy Big Johns stories, and Sue is always on hand if you have a question of problem.
The food as always is great and we all ate to much, but save room for that pie.
We looked at the moon this time through the telescope, it dried up and the clouds had moved in time to use it this time.
Yes our buss broke down on the way home no real big deal, we hadn't any place special to go the next day, so we had to wait until a replacement buss came for us. No problem.
The next day Sue call us and we found out later that many more from our resort had also got a call from Sue to make sure that we were all fine .

I havens seen such a beautiful sunset in forever! Great introduction to the history and uniqueness of ranching in Hawaii. Good food, all around, great steaks, good music, fun activities, ESPECIALLY THE TELESCOPE. There is only one line dance (if you count the electric slide as a line dance). No real dancing. Very mellow, relaxing evening, but if you are expecting it to be a cowboy version of a luau, you will be disappointed.

Hints:
1. drive your self and don't get in the cattle car (bus)
2. Since you drive yourself, you can get there a few minutes early and enjoy the place in quiet and get on the horse before the crowds arrive, same is true of departure.
3. Fun stuff: horse shoes (arrive early since there are no lights at night),learning lasso, branding, smores, telescope, Piggly Wiggly.

I went with my 6 year old son, my sister, and my mom. We all loved it. The views were breathtaking. There were games for the whole family. The food was delicious. The people were kind. This is a must do experience.

This was my second trip to the Kahua Ranch. It was as memorable as the first time visiting. It is so unexpected to go to Hawaii to visit a Ranch, but breathtakingly beautiful!
The bus ride to the Ranch was fun, filled with interesting facts, and beautiful scenery.
We were greeted by our hostess, Sue, who made the evening so enjoyable for all! She seems to genuinely care that each guest is greeted personally. She seems to go out of her way to ensure you have your drinks refilled, partake in the dancing and sing-along that she leads, The dinner was excellent & I loved the Macadamia nut pie The kids loved the resident Pig: Piggley Wiggley. I want to thank Sue and the rest of the staff for a thoroughly enjoyable & memorable evening!

What a great evening of music, dancing, hearty delicious food and fireside fun! Such an entertaining and educational venue! Our hosts were terrific and the vistas were amazing. We highly recommend!! Islandjaneecotours.com

We enjoyed our visit very much
Hosts were very friendly, interesting facts and hands on activities.
Really great for families

It was ok. Easy to drive to if you have a car. Save the $40 of transportation. It was nice to be greeted, but felt like they were doing a job. Great view of the ocean and sunset. Didn't like that we almost missed the sunset due to getting our food. I enjoyed the owner's description of the ranch workings and the complexity of getting their beef to market. The "crafts" were ok. I personally was a little bored. It would have been better with kids than as a couple. Food was good and plentiful.

Perfect place to see a part of the Big Island that is so much of the history of Hawaii. The food was great and John was great; very informative and entertaining.

All the staff members were incredibly kind and made sure you were taken care of. When seated for dinner they walked around and made sure you were happy and had a beverage. Beautiful views as well.

We throughly enjoyed every minute of our visit to the Kahua Ranch. We debated in taking our grandkids to a luau or the ranch and decided on the ranch because of all of the things they could see and do while there.
My youngest grandsons danced the entire time, loved Sue (she was amazing) and hearing about the history of the ranch. Piggly Wiggly, roasting marshmallows and observing the stars were also a huge hit.
Recommend taking a heavy sweatshirt or coat in the early months of the year!

Wonderful place to go for families. Outdoor bar-b-que with a country singing and dancing show. Live animals, roping demonstrations and branding your own wood. Long drive but worth the extra effort.

My family of 6 enjoyed a great evening at the ranch. We had a jam packed 8 days on the island including zip lining, helicopter tour, manta dive and this ranked as one of the best nights. Very entertaining, Sue was a wonderful hostess and John Richards is great. Highly recommend, The Reitter's

Kalua Ranch offers a sunset dinner on the ranch. A bus picks you up and delivers you to your hotel. The dinner includes steak and chicken, potatoes and corn, salad and bread, desert and coffee, and wine and beer. This time was not the first time my wife and I spent at a tourist stop ranch; so, we tought we knew what we could get. Howver, this night brought cowboy activiites to experience rather than to watch. I tried ropin', brandin', and line dancin'. I wasn't very good at ropin' or dancin'. But I brought home a nice souvenoir of my brandin' effort on a small piece of wood.

The sky was clear and a telescope was set up to experience a little celestial observation. You don't know how big the moon is until you've seen it up close.

There was an outdoor fire pit to keep the chill away (you are pretty high up on a moutain), and you could toast marshmallows to make your own s'mores.

It was a fun night

Have been coming to Kona area since 1992 and have passed the entrance to this ranch many times. Took taking newbies to the area to get us to this attraction!

Although there were two busses full of other tourists, and many like us with our own vehicle, the crowd was not difficult. They have the event down to a science. Appropriate music, very good food(steak cooked just right on the grill) fixin's, macadamia nut pie, wine/beer....all excellent.

Fun stuff after dinner: line dancing, pet boar feeding, roping, branding demo, etc.

Hostess Sue and owner John kept the evening moving...

And the views!!!

Great night on the ranch Mr. Richardson Greeted us when we get off the bus Sue was very exceptional she was fun had a great time and a lot of laughs would recommend this highly The dinner was good and the Maca Damien pie was out of this world

Although the evening started off a bit slow with our pick up mixed up, our driver did arrive and was gracious with info and we had great shots of the sunset driving up. Sue greeted us immediately with one of her cute pups with apologies for the pick up problem. No worries! John was funny and very informative about the Hawaiian cattle business that we never knew, despite our many trips to the Big Island. Dinner was great and although I am not a voracious diner but I loved and ate it all! Yummy. The couple duo provided the right atmosphere for fun music, along with the roping, etc. Great evening and will do it again next visit.

My wife and I had a fantastic dinner with a gorgeous sunset view at the Kahua Ranch. Fun activities include roping instructions, horseshoe and cornhole games, branding, and live country music with dancing. Even a line dance lesson. You will learn the fascinating history of the Hawaiian cowboy, the Paiolo, and see and learn about a working cattle ranch. A part of Hawaii most don't see. Highly recommend!

This venue was part of the program in the corporate event I attended. I later found out that this is one of the activities offered to tourists visiting the Big Island. It is not your usual Hawaiian scenario of beach and surfing but a mountain ranch, horses kind of thing. Which is rather unusual if you think of Hawaii. It was a 45 minute ride from our hotel on a huge bus with the driver giving some bits of info on interesting points along the way. We arrived at the ranch high up in the mountains in time for sunset and it was breathtaking. Wine and beer were served while preparing for dinner. There were horses and dogs for photo ops. Ranch games were also played. The owner, Big John, did a brief talk on the history of the place. As the evening approached, the temp dropped and fire pits were lit. Dinner was then served while a live country band played on stage. It was a feast! To cap things off, we were given a souvenir of cedar wood etched with branding iron, which you can do yourself. Awesome, unforgettable experience indeed.

This is the third time we have gone and it is overpriced and not worth the money. In 2017 and 2012 you were served a steak dinner. After all they tell you they are a working cattle ranch. The food was mediocre. Unfortunately I did not read the brochure to see that they changed the beef. It is way overpriced for what you get. The smokehouse BBQ beef was nothing more than overcooked, fatty, stringy, and dry pot roast. My mother and grandmother made better pot roast then this. The corn (the vegetable) was canned. The pie was tastey, but the piece was extremely small. The food was below average. A person serves you a very small portion of this pot roast. The attendance at this Wednesday evening was the smallest I have ever seen, having been there twice before, considering they only do it once a week. The country western music was average. They seem to highlight the line dancing, which is amusing watching peoples attempt. They had a young boy, probably 10-12 years old, handing you a heated branding iron to imprint a "K" on a small piece of wood. Where is OSHA? Only 2 buses the evening we went and a few cars drove up. This is an extremely overpriced dinner/evening entertainment. For the price they charge, you can watch the sunset from a waterside restaurant in KONA and have a far better and enjoyable dinner for less price.

Ok, so who would even think of a cattle ranch while in Hawaii right? Well by the greatest experience is at the Kahua Ranch!! Hospitality beyond belief, amazing food, singing, dancing, story telling, history, star gazing, branding, s'mores, roping, live entertainment and a gift shop!! The place is incredible!! Sue is the perfect hostess!! Calls to make sure all is prepared for your visit, always available for any question or accommodation, quite a looker and boy can she put on a show!! Her Shaka song is the best!! She recognizes birthdays, anniversaries and any other special occasions!! John gives an amazing take on the history as well as present day activity of the ranch!! Beautiful scenery and one of the best sunsets you will ever experience!! If you don't believe me, just come next September. We will be there again like we have every time we visit for the last 6 years!! They truly have, and share, the aloha spirit!!

My husband and I had a great time. I strongly suggest you partake in the various activities, to get the full experience. I have my picture on the horse with the beautiful sunset in the background. I roped the wooden calf a few times. We even line danced, though Sue justifiably commented my husband looked like he was doing the polka (what do you expect from a big Dutch guy). John, who welcomed us, was very funny. I liked the band. They did a lot of George Strait and I luv George.The food was very good. I got the "rare" steak which was flavorful and at least medium rare. My husband said the beer was very good with a lot of flavor and not harsh. I'm a self proclaimed wine snob, but I tried a glass anyway. At least it gave me a glass to mix their juice with my Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka, that Sue said I could bring. Their Macadamia nut pie was worth blowing my diet on and who can resist smores? I have a board that I branded with their K, which is slightly off kilter, thanks to the Deep Eddy. It makes for a great souvenir and memory of a fun evening.

Absolutely highly recommend this excursion! Great food, awesome entertainment and breath taking scenery. This was one of our favorite memories and if we ever return to Hawaii, this will be a repeat visit for us! Great for the kids too!

The ranch is located in a beautiful area with an amazing view of hills and the ocean in the far distance. The sunset is gorgeous! This was the highlight of the night.

The buffet steak/chicken meal was plentiful. The steak was well seasoned & BBQed and the sides were good! The chicken was overcooked though. The mac nut pie for dessert was a bit too sweet, but creative.

Activities after dinner included singing to campfire tunes, calf roping, branding & making s'mores. They were a bit cheesy. We expected something a little more engaging...for $120/person.

It was neat seeing their resident pig up close though!

Our bus driver was awesome though. He was witty, sarcastic, informative and kept us entertained all the way to the ranch.

If you're looking for a BBQ dinner, go to a steakhouse. If you're looking for a cowboy /ranch night, then this tour would be good for you.

The evening began with a 2-hour bus ride, during which we were "entertained" by an obnoxious, overbearing bus driver who was trying too hard. Much of the information he provided during the trip was just wrong! For example, he was advising us to take a boat ride to view lava from Kilauea volcano pouring into the ocean, when we knew that that activity had stopped months ago!
When we arrived at the ranch, we were greeted warmly and ushered to the bar. While waiting for dinner, we listened to the host tell stories about the ranch and its history. When we were called to dinner, the food was decent and plentiful, as you would expect, but not fancy. They did control portions of dessert (not a problem for us-- I couldn't eat a whole piece anyway!). While it was an "open bar" there was little choice: red or white wine, beer, soda or water. The country music during dinner was good.
The activities were frankly, disappointing. Sit on the horse for a picture; feed the pet pig chunks of sweet bread; try your hand at roping a sawhorse steer; brand a shingle. After dinner, join the crowd for a short turn at line dancing, look through the single telescope pre-set to view the moon (not "star gazing"), and sit around the campfire.
Any of these activities would have been entertaining for a crowd one quarter the size. We waited over half an hour to pet the horse. There were seats for only about 12 people around the fire. The crowd was well over 100 in number. At over $100 per person, the ranch does all right, but we didn't get our money's worth.

Take the shuttle up to the ranch to dine under the stars. You just cannot beat the views from the Kohala mountains!

Great experience at the Kahua Ranch!
There is an awesome view with sunset before storytelling about the ranch.
Hospitality beyond belief, great food, live entertainment and roping - really funny with the linedance. Everyone should try it!

Sue is a great hostess and can put on a show! John gives an amazing take on the history as well as present day activity of the ranch and the pig Peggy is so big.

Really nice ranch - you should check it out :)

We chose to drive our rental car from Kailua-Kona up the coast to Kahua Ranch and it was worth the trip. Beautiful scenery and the ability to make stops along the way. The only possible downside to driving yourself, is that there are no streetlights for most of the ride back, so you should be ok with night driving. Otherwise, you can get a shuttle from your hotel.

The Kahua Ranch is great. Beautiful scenery on top of the mountain with breathtaking ocean views. The owner's son is the "master of ceremonies" and does a great job. Very personable and makes you feel very welcome. Their entire staff is superior and they don't skimp on anything. We went for the dinner experience and show and it was wonderful. Including the 400 pound pig who wanders around thinking he's a dog! Mary ran the after-dinner show and she was superb in her element. There was a fun quasi calf roping demonstration and a huge telescope to see the magnificent stars away from city lights. Everyone I saw had a great time and the food was the best!

The ranch is a working ranch and the dinner they put on is so very good, the activities they offer fun and challenging (especially trying to learn roping) and view of the valley was amazing. Sunset on the mountain can't be beat. Great for families, couples & friends alike. We went with a group of 8 and the staff were great at helping us. The ranch offers a bus ride, so you can drink (if you choose) and not have to drive back to your hotel. A+ attraction

So much to do and the food was delicious. I had three plates! Astronomy, s'mores, country music, roping and branding your own souvenir made this an unforgettable trip. Thank you Sue and John!

The bus picked us up from our hotel about 4:15pm; its at least 1hr and 30 minutes to the Ranch;
Maybe for people who have younger kids and families, or for older couples looking nice night, but for us....(50 year old), we felt it could have been better. For $200 per couple in the month of September, you don't get the sunset or the moon in the mountain--you get the fog! We felt the cost of this event should be less than what it actually costs. The chicken bbq was great! the steak (per my husband was ok) ; the buffet dinner included green salad with 3 different kind of dressing-tried the papaya seed salad dressing it was great!- sweet hawaiian bread dinner roll-guava and regular -great; the garlic mash potato was runny; the beans taste like it came out of a can; the macademia nut pie is like pecan pie --sweet!
The one really great thing about this place is they never once let my cup get less than half full. They really walk around with pitchers of the kona breweries fresh beer and keep you full all night long, but its still not worth the $100 per person.
returned back to our hotel about 10:15pm

My travel companion and I had a wonderful time visiting the ranch this week. The drive up to the ranch was stunning and some of our best pictures of our trip were taken on the overlook looking down the expanse of the ranch to the ocean. The steaks were wonderful--my favorite part of the meal. Highly recommend.

We had a wonderful time at the ranch. Susan and all the other hosts were wonderful and you can really tell that they enjoy sharing their home and work with all the visitors. The bus ride from Kona was beautiful and our driver Tom did a great job explaining the sites as we traveled. At the ranch you see a different side of Hawaii, you feel like you are siting on top of world, the views are breathtaking. The food was fantastic and they also offered an open bar of beer and wine. We were not there with children but we saw many families there and everyone from 2 to 90 were all having fun. There was music, dancing, horseshoes, campfires, smores, and branding. if we ever visit the Big Island again this will definitely be something we would do again.

We had a fabulous time here! We arrived to a gorgeous sunset. Had a really delicious meal then fun entertainment. So much fun! I got to brand a shingle and roast marshmallows to make s'mores. We had such a great time!

Was an amazing evening with an amazing dinner and sunset . Everything was plan and executed extremely well. The attention to details is what caught my eye , the host getting a sweater for an elderly lady . From the starting speech from John explaining how they rotate pastures for sustainability , to the supper . Watching John teaching children to rope . The whole staff and host were amazing I would highly suggest this to everyone . An evening well spent in Hawaii.

As a child, I loved Roy Rogers, my cowboy hat and hobbie horse. So my interest was piqued when Sue spoke about their mountainside cattle ranch coupled with stories and camp fire songs. Upon our arrival we received our libation of choice and listed to a vibrant presentation of ranch activities from John Richards, a fourth generation owner of the ranch. The ranch style dinner of steak or chicken with all the fixin's was outstanding and the macadamia nut pie will linger on your lips. So for a great time, hitch up your wagon and git along to Kahua Ranch

Trip started with a bus ride from Kona to the Ranch. Tommy, the bus driver, is informative and entertaining.

John, I think he's an owner and grew up with the ranch, gives a nice overview of the operation. The buffet, which includes steaks from the ranch, is delicious and bountiful.

Very congenial and entertaining atmosphere.

Very pleasant evening.

I went on this tour as I thought it would be a nice night out. It was. The food was good, with alcohol included in the price. The ride by bus too and from the location was included as well. At a cost of $138 per person ($276 per couple), the price is rather steep for what you get.

We just spent a wonderful evening at Kahua Ranch. We took advantage of the bus from Kona which gave us a chance to enjoy the scenery. Our driver, Tommy, was great and kept us thoroughly entertained while providing us with interesting tidbits about the island. Once we arrived the information about the ranch itself and the cattle industry on Hawaii was also entertaining while being very informative. The buffet meal was fantastic and the entertainment was great. Line dancing, roping, branding, were some of the activities you could take part in along with browsing through the shop for souvenirs. I would highly recommend this for an enjoyable evening out and thought it was well worth the money.
My only recommendation would be finding a better way to assign seating on the lanai for dinner. We couldn't find 4 seats together because of the way people were picking their seats at the various tables. A table was immediately set up for the 4 of us which was great but maybe if all seating was preassigned or managed by a host or hostess this problem wouldn't have arisen.

Air conditioned bus ride to a great experience in the clouds. Great setting. Great views. Great dinner. Great music. Great history. Do your own hot-iron branding.

I was on the Big Island with for vacation the last week of May, and I have to say that the evening I spent at Kahua Ranch was probably the best evening of the whole week. My man and I took the bus up to the ranch (thank goodness we did!) which picked us up from our resort in Kona. The driver was hilarious, and gave us a very entertaining, yet very informative tour of our way up to Waimea. Once there, we were greeted by the beautiful view and warm, friendly handshakes from the ranch owners. We grabbed a few drinks, and enjoyed a warm welcome with a brief history and introduction to the ranch. The buffet-style meal was probably the freshest, most delicious meal I'd had all week! The staff was incredibly friendly and personable - we spent the entire evening chatting with them. Piggly Wiggly was the biggest pig I've ever seen, and definitely loves those Hawaiian rolls! With the live music, line dancing, stargazing, and s'mores, I had one of the best nights of my life. If we had stayed on the island longer, we would definitely have gone again, and I will definitely go back the next time I'm there.
Thank you, Kahua Ranch, for one of the most memorable experiences of my entire trip. See you again real soon!

Three of us locals and a good friend from California had a fantastic time at Kahua Ranch (Kahoo ah)! It was one of the most fun things we've done in the 13 years we've lived on Big Island! A couple local friends showed up with their parents and we made a couple new friends. It's a real working ranch, the Kahua ranch folks were fun and welcomed us with much Aloha. I felt right at home! "Talk story" about Kahua history and ranch life was fascinating! Who would have guessed that some Kahua beef ends up in Texas! "E Como Mai" is a Hawaiian "welcome" expression that literally translates "come eat with us," and we certainly lived up to the Hawaiian love of eating! We chatted with hands, roped, danced, sang a bit, listened to down home country music, sat around a fire, had s'mores and looked at the sky in a telescope. It's been a good while since we've had such a fun evening! It's at 3,200 feet up in the green grass on Kohala Mountain, so wear jeans and bring a coat! If you don't have a coat, just ask for one.

If you’re in Hawaii for a limited time with a limited budget, best to spend both elsewhere. The food is not good, the entertainment is better placed in a shabby Texas bar, and the host’s don’t care about your evening.

Advertised a was a fresh steak and chicken dinner. You’d think at a ranch there’d be good steaks. In fact, this whole meal was likely purchased from a grocery store deli a week before.

When we went, they actually didn’t have steaks. Instead they had dry pork ribs. My mom doesn’t eat pork and the hostess gave her her number and she’d make things right. The next day once we were gone and out of her hair, she did nothing.

Go literally anywhere else

This sounded like lots of fun when we first heard about the Wednesday night at the ranch. Food was decent. We were disappointed at the hoards of people- two large bus full! The amount of people was a big disappointment. If you try it, wear warm clothing. The weather at that altitude was a bit unpredictable. This was just not our thing. I think if they hosted half the people, it would have been more personable. The emcee was hard to hear - he talked very fast. Events this size is why we do not go to the Hawaii Luaus.

This is our second visit in the past 11 years. We had a wonderful time here. First, we did the ATV ride. It is awesome and spectacular beyond what words can describe! The views are nothing like you have ever seen. It is so much fun. We went as a family and had a the time of our lives. Cannot say enough about it.

We stayed over for the Evening at Kahua dinner as well. The food was good, the entertainment was good as well. Visiting here is like being with family. The same group of folks as the last visit 7 years ago. If you are staying in the Waikoloa, Waimea, Hawi area, this is a cannot miss location! If you get to visit some of the paniolos (cowboys) take the time. What an experience!

Instead of luau this trip, we selected a BBQ at the Kahua Ranch. This ranch sits at the top of a mountain overlooking the ocean and we observed a beautiful sunset and enjoyed the company of the fun-loving people in our group. The owners kept us entertained and really know how to host. There was an open beer and wine bar, entertainment and a great meal. We selected fish over the typical chicken and steak and it was delicious salmon bbq'd in lemon butter. Live country music was played while we ate and dessert was a macadamia nut pie. There was time for a few rounds of dancing, smores, and branding a souvenier to take home! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone at the Kahua Ranch!

Not at all what one would expect in Hawaii, true cattle ranch setting with roping, branding expeditions, Live music friendly people and stunning views. Dinner was incredible, delicious and more than we could finish. After dinner there was an astronomer with telescope giving us a tour of the stars and planets. Highly recommend taking the time for this adventure.

My friend and visited the Big Island last Oct and was went to our resorts meet and greet. Kahua Ranch gave a presentation for their dinner package. She was so warm and charming we signed up. We decided to also take advantage of the bus service, since the road was unfamiliar to us and as it turned out narrow and very dark on the way home.
The ranch setting has a wonderful sunset view high a top the ridge. The pre dinner talk about ranching in Hawaii was informative and entertaining. Dinner was very tasty. The music was fun and the hosts kept everyone engaged with warmth and humor. We felt truly welcomed and appreciated by all the staff. It was a lot of fun for us and I would recommend highly.

We opted for the sunset dinner at the Kahua ranch, mainly because we did a luau on Kauai and wanted to try something different. It was a wonderful evening and John and Sue and the crew were the best. After a quick discussion on ranching in Hawaii while the beer and wine were flowing freely, we had the best buffet dinner of steaks, BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn, salad, and rolls. Topped off with macadamia nut pie, so rich! Country music was playing, line dancing lessons were given, and the farm's 300 pound pig was being fed by all the guests - you had to be there. John gave a lesson on lassoing steers and helped everyone that wanted to try. There was also smores, star gazing, and branding a souvenir piece of wood. There would have been an awesome view of the sunset, but it was too cloudy tonight.

We paid for transportation because of the unlimited beer and wine, plus the dark, curvy mountain roads were not appealing. Tommy, our driver, did a wonderful job getting us there and back safely and had a lot of fun stories.

The reason for the four stars instead of 5 was because it felt we got rushed out in a hurry at the end of the night. We were trying to do the lasso and when we got out of the barn, we were being ushered to the bus so we missed out on enjoying a few things. Maybe that was because we were on a bus, but it seemed like the night was over even if we drove ourselves.

One last word of warning, if you get the bus, make sure you ask how long the ride will be. We were lucky and were the last pickup and were only on the bus for 45 minutes each way, picked up at 5:30 and dropped off after 9:30, but if you get picked up in Kona, we heard someone say they got picked up 4:00, they might still be on the bus.

We had a wonderful time at the ranch. The views were amazing! The food is delicious and there is something for everyone to do. By the time you leave the ranch staff feel like family. I would definitely recommend this family ranch to anyone visiting Hawaii!

You would think you were on top of the world at this ranch. We are back 9 years later after we had our wedding reception here. The view is unbelievable, the food is fantastic, entertainment is phenomenal, the hosts are superb, especially Sue. Sue is the most hospitable, warm and gracious host. Can't wait to visit again. Love this place! Peace out - Cardiff

Based on the reviews, I was really looking forward to our BBQ evening at the ranch. So maybe I had too high of expectations. We drove ourselves and I am so glad that we did. We arrived a little early, and looked at the animals and took some photos. The bar then opened and I think they did a good job of liquoring everyone up. They gave a nice and interesting over view of the ranch and during this people walked around pitchers of beer and bottles of wine to keep everyone's glad nice and full.
For me it started to go down hill when the food came out, they corral everyone (and were a lot of people) into one line for food. We were in the back of that line, which would be fine, but for a $90 dinner it seemed like could have easily made 2 or 3 lines. I thought the food was OK, my husband really liked it and went back for seconds. I also didn't like the seating we were crammed into a large room and long tables. I guess it makes it nice and easy to talk to others. I really enjoyed the fiddle player but we were crammed into a table way in the back and I felt very removed from the music, there was little to no dancing. I think this part could have been improved upon as well. I was looking forward to some good music and dancing but I think I missed a lot of it because of the long line for food and our less than ideal table options.
Then they brought out piggly wiggly. Who is cute and fun. Later they did the smores and the branding, all of which seemed a little rushed and not set up for the number of people there.
Overall, I think it is a unique experience on the big island. But it seemed a little forced and trying to herd too many people into an event to make more money.

The ranch is beautiful! We arrived to a open bar with red and white wine,beer and sodas. After the kind winded ranch hand finished, they opened the buffet line which had chicken, round steak which was tough, corn mashed potatoes, salad and Mac nut pie which was so so! I must say the food was OK but did not reflect the price we paid. We could have had a much nicer dinner somewhere else! A huge tour bus was there, it felt like a tourist trap! DRIVE if u have a car!!! The view was beautiful but there are Many beautiful views all over the island! The cost value isn't there. One of the wait staff had a snarl on her face, not the Hawaiian charm u expect! I was very disappointed in this. We left early. If are from Texas or a place that has dude ranches, skip this, it's nothing special. Poor value

Our tour company, Tom's Christian Tours, enjoyed a night out at the ranch in January. Our trip to the ranch was informative and scenic. Upon arrival, we were welcomed and easily guided to the barn so everyone could have a drink of their choice. We were informed and entertained as we listened to the workings of a ranch in Hawaii. The scenery was beautiful and meal was delicious. The music which was played before, during, and after dinner added to the fun. Our group loved the entertainment which included roping lessons, woodburning, and s'more making. Our group of 90 travelers found this one of the most memorable nights of our 2 week stay in Hawaii. All of the staff was personable and fun. We enjoyed the "heads-up" to dress warm for the evening. Our group was from the Midwest...this "cool" evening in January, with all kinds of fun on the ranch, was beautiful for us! Thanks to all at Kahua Ranch. (We will be back!)

As return visitors to Hawaii we only just learned of the large cattle ranches. We attended this once a week special cattle ranch dinner with endless steak and bar b que, live CWC music a day dancing. This ranch is big, beautiful and a real working cattle ranch. We started our entertaining history lesson of Cowboys and cattle on Hawaii during the bus ride, and latter around the campfire. The family owned and run ranch had their favorite song John tell us stories, history, and gave us cattle roping lessons. We enjoyed a bountiful steak and bar b que dinner with live music, and a beautiful view of the sun set. Thoroughly enjoyable. Make time for this enjoyable, fun experience.

This was a lot of fun and was a very interesting departure from the expected Hawaii experience. The ranch is above the clouds and is very green and lush. The smell of the campfire greets you when you arrive, and everyone is so friendly, especially the host, Sue. The food was excellent, especially the macadamia nut pie, and the entertainment was fun. The owner gave a short welcome speech before dinner that was very informative and interesting. He explained how they herd the livestock and some of the processes they use on the ranch that allow them to treat the land sustainably. Really interesting. Overall, we had a great time doing something a little different in paradise!

Enjoyed learning ranching Hawaiian style. Would have like to have seen more of the ranch operations. If you are only going for a meal , don't go. The meal is an average buffet, but coupled with the views from the ranch and learning of the ranching on the island, it makes the evening a great evening. The only downside was the bus ride. We had the shortest of the group, but bus driver made the trip seem long. The driver had some information on the history of ranching, but seemed to be more focused on making jokes about his wife and family. A good bus driver/tour guide would have made the evening perfect.

Kahua Ranch at Naalapa Stables in North Kohala... what an unforgettable experience for my family which included my 8yr (minimum age) and 10yr old sons. We booked the 1.5hr mid-morning ride and actually had the ride to ourselves with our 2 guides... with access to cowboy boots, jackets, gloves, and other gear. Quite affordable compared to other activities plus online coupon or kama'aina rate available. We are a family with no riding experience, so the guides made us feel very comfortable and allowed us to trot and gallop if we wanted (hardly allowed at other places). Huge, beautiful ranch with breathtaking views. Highly recommended! A must-do on your next visit to the Big Island.

We held a company farewell dinner here and it was more than we could hope for. Good food, good music, good people. Everything about this was fun and memorable.

This is a MUST BOOK!

It was a beautiful sunset and the catered meal by the Paniolo dinner was delicious. We were also entertained with history and music and line dancing. It was a wonderful experience. Come hungry!

We go to dinner at the ranch EVERY time we come to Hawaii. We just finished our 5th trip and were not disappointed. John and staff make you feel welcomed and valued. Dinner is always abundant and wonderful. Nowhere else will a 350 pound pig walk in after dinner to make you feel like one of the group. (After all the food I have just eaten I am even walking like her). Music, singing, looking at the stars, branding your own souvenier and the smores finish off the evening. Don't miss this great evening, you won't be disappointed!!!!

We did this on an evening in mid-October, 2018, so I'm just getting around to writing this...albeit three months after the fact.

We were really looking forward to this, but it did fall short of expectation on several levels for me. But I'm clearly an exception, given all the otherwise happy customers. I think the main thing about reading a review on here is the hope that you’re getting an accurate picture of what to expect before you make the commitment. So, that’s my goal…not to trash the enterprise.

It's advertised as a "working ranch," but you won't see any of that--in fact, this is more like a recreation center they've created (with dining hall and a gift shop, of course), rather than the authentic center of a cattle ranch, as suggested. I peered into one closed building and saw a huge number of ATVs, so that's obviously something else they do during the day there.

After an extremely long bus ride (not their fault, it’s just a long haul, with an additional stop at Waikiloa Village going and coming) from our Kona resort with a nonstop chatterbox corny joke guy driver, you'll finally arrive at a ramshackle group of new and rustic-looking buildings, where you'll be warmly greeted by "Sue" and eventually “John” starts to tell a little about the history of the place. There was one lone horse standing there for up close inspection to make sure you think it's actually a ranch, and you can survey the landscape...but no cattle herds in sight.

Wine and beer is included at no extra charge (and no mixed spirits drinks available), but the Kona Brewing beer is only in cans, which everyone now knows is brewed by Anheuser-Busch in their giant plants on the mainland, then shipped back to Hawaii (so it tastes as bad as that sounds). Apparently, the only authentic Kona/Hawaii beer comes only in draft kegs, according to a lady working at the Kona Brewing restaurant. So, that was a disappointment, and I opted for wine. They do keep running around and refilling your wine cup before dinner, probably in the hope you’ll be less likely to be sober enough to recognize the food coming ain't so great.

My mistaken impression that we would be enjoying some high quality filet or other steak from cattle bred at the ranch and BBQ'd on the grill right there was quickly dispelled when we lined up inside the barn for catering brought in by a supplier who prepped everything elsewhere, including the meat. Yes, it was an all-you-can-eat buffet-style array of chafing dishes with mashed potatoes, canned corn, canned beans, lettuce, bread, etc. There was bland chicken (no big deal), but the STEAKS WERE THE WORST…really awful...tough, very fatty overcooked and almost tasteless. When I went back to the feeding troughs asking for a piece less fatty and less well done, they pretended to find it, but it was the same: more overdone leather. I left hungry. So, THAT part of all this was a HUGE disappointment.

The good stuff: The man/woman country duo was fine. After dinner, I enjoyed petting the giant hog they parade around, and my wife tried to master roping--done inside with John, but not with an actual animal. We liked the smores around the campfire and branding the cedar planks. The people who were servers/helpers were all friendly and helpful...no bad attitudes to be found.

As I mentioned before…NOT THEIR FAULT, of course, but the drive back was brutally long when you’ve had too much wine and really just want to get back to crash in your room as soon as possible. Our driver wouldn’t allow for napping…just chatted away endlessly about nonsense on the loudspeaker, interfacing with some of the other old farts about the east coast. My wife kept yelling "shut up!" LOL.

I hesitate to post these disappointments, because I am certain Ms. Sue will just post a defensive, angry rejoinder, claiming they hardly make a profit at this, and that I’m an ungrateful wretch. She’s a good host, but from what I read here, probably not good at taking criticism and constructive suggestions to improve it overall. For a venture that's apparently been in operation for a few years, they really need to stand back and objectively evaluate what they're offering against what they charge. Just being honest here...I wouldn't do it again, nor would I recommend if asked about it. For the price of this excursion (3 people: ~$400), I’d rather go to Disneyland!

As a person who has lives on the Big Island, I thought I had seen it all but nothing has prepared me to the beauty of the view at Kahua Ranch. The experience was just so spectacular!! They also serve you an eat all you can bbq steaks and chicken, yummy mashed potatoes, sumptuous baked beans veggies and topped with macadamia nut pie. Beers, wine, coffee and tea too!

We got to dance, make smores, brand a piece of wood to take home as souvenir, and we learned how to lasso. The evening was just so amazing.

Tommy our driver was just too funny with his stories as he shares his knowledge of the Hawaiian culture.

Overall, it was a great evening and I highly recommend it especially for families.

For sure I will bring my family when they come visit! :)

On a last minute thought our group of four were able to attend this once a week Kahua Ranch buffet and fun when someone cancelled. Sue was great to work with for the last minute reservation. Called our group on the day of the event with the good news and detailed driving instructions. Its much cooler on top of the hill but worth the drive and wearing an extra t-shirt or jacket. The buffet includes very good steaks and hearty foods. The activities are fun, a little country music, a roaming pig and a couple of small friendly puppies. The stories and details on running this ranch were very interesting. We drove about 90 minutes to attend and really enjoyed the evening. It was rainy and windy but the ranch staff is prepared with heaters and wind shields around the eating areas. Warm camp fires with smores, try your skills with a rope. It was done by 8:30 (3 hours) and back down the mountain.

What a great experience! The views were amazing, great food and drinks and the people running this were fantastic! Great entertainment, star gazing and more.

I don't know what I can add that hasn't been said...this was an excellent night. People think of the beaches and volcanoes on the big island, but sometimes forget about the Up Country portion of the island. We drove up instead of taking the bus, and it was a lovely drive. From the ranch you can see to the sea, and the views are really stunning. This area was not affected by the 2018 eruptions in any way, and they have a really beautiful stretch of land.

Just like everyone has said, Sue is charming, and John has a good balance of interesting information without being too
technical. The food was very good - the pulled beef was excellent barbeque, the macadamia pie was like a vanilla-y/lighter pecan pie, and the mashed potatoes even had tons of flavor.

This is a very rare, actually good for the whole family event. It's well worth the trip.

We really enjoyed this evening - it actually exceeded our expectations. The food was great, the kids loved the activities, and the ranch is beautiful (even though it was cloudy the evening we went - I imagine the view would be incredible.) Thanks to Sue and the other hosts for the evening!

Great location -- can see rolling hills, beautiful sunsets, rainbows, Maui & Haleakela (across the strait), horses, etc. This was worth the effort and $$ to do. We enjoyed an evening of good stories (entertaining and educational) and good food. The steaks were cooked perfectly and the sides were great. Dessert...a treat I'll let you experience. There was roping and branding (of wood) and S'mores (late). They also got out a telescope for viewing the night sky -- which is good to do in a place with so little light pollution...but the sky was largely cloudy the evening we visited. All-in-all, a neat experience -- CAN and DO recommend this. Full disclosure - we did our own visit...we did not get on a bus and spend half the afternoon getting there. We drove up in our rental car.

My husband and I came on our honey moon. This was probably the BEST thing we did in the island. The views itself were just breath taking! The food and entertainment just added to the beautiful food. Highly recommend!

We visited the ranch for the second time last night and had a great time.
The hospitality can't be beat. The food is excellent and Jack Martin provides awesome entertainment. We ended the evening sitting around the campfire star gazing. If you want to do something very unique in Hawaii, this is for you

We signed up for this evening and found it to be the highlight of our week. We were treated to the most beautiful sunset at this 3400 high ranch in Hawaii. Yes this big Island has more than just a volcano and the press has been scaring tourists away. We saw no hot lava all the two weeks we were there. Yes the lava was flowing on a tiny part of the island and homes were being lost but the only red we saw was the beautiful reds and golds of the sunset over the ocean and the distance island of Maui. Now the food was out of this world and we had local wine and beer and fruit drinks, we learned how to rope, had a camp fire and somores, as well as branding a board to take home. We were treated to joyful music and dancing and even got to pet and feed a pig. We were picked up at our resort and since I had trouble walking one of the staff in her wonderful Irish way made sure I was able to get to the bus by driving me there and even helping me carry my food to my seat. It was a little expensive but we got a discount and it was worth it. The only down side is that they usually have 150 people at this once a week event but since the volcano started doing its stuff, tourism was down and people were canceling their plans. Only 60 some people were there and many businesses have been hurting. This place was far away from the volcanic activity as is most of this Island and we did not have any problems as we went to almost all areas of the Island. Tourists need to come it is wonderful. Also our bus driver told us some history and wonderful stories and helped us figure out why there were so many turkeys, and goats on the island.

I have to say that I started the evening in a good mood but it quickly turned into a bad mood and that is what this review is based on. When got there, we took pictures sitting on the horse. Then we walked around and saw everything, which didn't take long. There is only one small shop to go into. Everyone sat on benches while Big John talked about the ranch. We were sitting near a picnic table where some of the employees were at sitting and talking, talking, talking. When Big John's microphone went out, these employees continued to talk so we could not hear Big John anymore. I'm sure the employees have heard the speech a million times but sitting at a table so close to the guests, they should have had the courtesy or common sense to be quiet or go somewhere else to talk. It turns out some of the people at the picnic table were family members of the singers that night. So, now that I am really mad at these inconsiderate people, and the rest of the night just sucked! The chicken was cold but there was plenty of food to go back for seconds. The singers were so loud during dinner you could not hear the people talking around you. And, I love country music but these singers were not good! After dinner we learned the Electric Slide and did that to one song. Then we went outside to make our one s'more over a tabletop fire instead of the big fire pit they had. We stood in line to do the branding for our souvenir. There was roping you could do but if you weren't there at the beginning of it to see how it was done, then there was no one there to help you. And then there was nothing to do. They did not put out the telescope, which would have been nice. Finally it was time to board the buses and start the two hour drive back. Having attended and worked at a chuckwagon dinner show in Durango, Colorado, this was such a waste of time and money! I was hugely disappointed. Most of the other guests seem to have had a really good time.

We loved our trip to the ranch! The food was wonderful and the entertainment was excellent. My 6 year old daughter loved running around feeding the horses grass and feeding the pet pig. We practiced branding wood and even had s'mores by the fire. Excellent family adventure on the hill tops of the big island. It was cloudy so we couldn't see down to the ocean but it didn't matter because there was so much to do on the ranch. I would definitely recommend to my friends!

June 11, 2014 was the 3rd time my husband & I have enjoyed the Kahua Ranch Aloha spirit and hospitality! It is definitely a fun family experience. We were 3 generations there. Starting with the Hotel pickup (with driver Sue giving us an historical perspective of the Ranch & interesting tidbits about some of the former owners), to the Adult beverage open bar, plentiful YUM food, entertainment, guest activities, "chatting" with pet pig Piggly Wiggly (yes a real live pig),to Hotel drop off...... the Evening was delightful and definitely memorable.

Mahalo to all that helped to create the Evening @ Kahua Ranch.

This is a working ranch, not an amusement park. You will see cattle, horses, and sheep as the livestock.

On arrival we were greeted by John who is 4th or 5th generation in the family living on and working at the ranch. He is also a US Army veteran - thank you John for your service.

Pre-dinner the bar is setup in the tack room that the ranch hands work out of during the day. The bar is open and they serve beer (bud, Bud light, Kona) and wine (Mondavi).

Paying the little extra to take the chatter bus is well worth it. The ranch is at 3250' above sea level, if you try on your own you'll likely be driving thru clouds under a very dark sky with no street lights, shoulder or guardrails.

The program from start to finish is as advertised, educational, and fun. We met a family from Seattle that has been back 6 times and it's easy to see why.

The food was really good, plentiful, and served buffet style. After dinner dancing to live music was fun for all, including line dancing 101.

A must do if you are looking for a fun evening with good food that will give you an understanding of history and Hawaiian ranching.

By the way, it's a little chilly at that elevation, bring layers if you can.

Don't let the media sensationalism spoil it for you. The volcanic eruption you've been hearing about or seeing on TV is way on the other side of the island - 80 miles away. An evening at Kahua Ranch may take your breath away, but for all the right reasons. Up on Kohala Mountain, the air is clean and cool and the hospitality warm and inviting. Most of the time, you'll start the evening by watching an unforgettable sunset while meeting other interesting folks from all over the United States and the World. Have a beer or wine or two (or three) at the open bar while listening to a history of Kohala and the ranch. Then there's an equally unforgettable dinner; delicious and plentiful. Save room though for the Macadamia Nut Pie at the end. When you're done eating, dance or just sing along to some wonderful country music. Keep an eye and ear on Ms. Sue Foat when she gets up to entertain you. And there's still more, but I won't tell you. All I will say is that you'll never forget your evening at Kahua Ranch.

This was a fun, entertaining and informative dinner. Our guide on the bus was entertaining and gave out information on the ranch. It was a fun time for the family. Dinner was awesome. We saved ourselves from eating beef until our tour and it was so worth it! They had something for everyone.

My co-traveler and I were staying on the ranch, in a vacation rental, and merely walked to the event. That was nice! I didn't know what to expect from an organized, touristy event, as usually not my thing. I was pleasantly surprised, and I will say, it was the staff that made the event palatable, interesting, and fun. Sue knew everyone's names, and while I don't have the count, and amount of those visitors; it was a lot! She was so personable, and it was obvious to me; she had been doing this type of gig for a very long time. This was confirmed, by herself, as we had many an occasion to have personal conversations with her. She was great! Liked her a lot. The staff were very attentive, while the food was typical ranch fair. Thoroughly enjoyed the ability to do star gaze ( a highlight of the evening for me) through an magnificent telescope. Saw the rings of Saturn; the craters upon the Moon; the many planets, and constellations, and done so with a knowledgeable person, on hand. What fun! There were many, many family friendly activities provided throughout the evening. Highly recommend this event for families.

Very friendly staff and a fun night. The dinner was excellent with lots of food and they weren’t shy the beer or wine.

Certainly, one of the best parts of our trip. Worth the trip into the hills. Just like the Island and its people, this place was breathtaking beautiful. A casual, family-run affair. Get there early and enjoy the views. Dress casual and be prepared with a sweat shirt or light jacket.

Luau's are special in their own right, but this provides another, very fair priced experience. The food is truly from farm to table. Generations of family prep and serve you.

Learn the history of the ranch, enjoy the entertainment while dining, and maybe take a spin on the dance floor. The whole experience from the drive up to the ranch, to the very humble family who greet and serve you, to the clouds which may be dancing thru the pastures, to the incredible sunsets...sitting around the fire pit eating smores...etc. Just an incredibly cool experience.

The ranch folk made this the most fun and relaxing event of my week! Highlighted by allowing free photos on the horse! Lots of events so guests never had to wait: star viewing, s'mores, branding, live music, dancing, lassoing. And an open bar!! Food was tasty and plentiful. Staff was helpful like family, even loaning jackets and carrying plates for hectic families. Motorcoach driver was helpful and personable, vehicle was comfortable. Well worth the money!!!

This should be read in the context of things beyond the control of Kahua Ranch. We arrived before the advertised starting time of 6pm. Yes, it is a beautiful setting and we had a good look around. There was an accident on the road from Kona and we could not start, apparently, before the buses arrived. So for over an hour we stood around waiting. We were told nothing much, we couldn't sit at the tables, we were hungry and nothing was offered to us. The bar was open but choices were very limited. Finally we sat down when the buses arrived and then endured a talk from the Ranch owner, which in any other context might have been interesting. We finally got food about 7:30. It was ok, unfortunately my steak was full of gristle. The food options were quite limited. I went back for seconds and that was a bit better. We had some good country music to entertain us, the other activities were on, but we were so upset about the long wait, with nothing to eat, we had lost interest. I must commend Sue. I hope she is being paid heaps because she was the only one who kept the show together and she was very entertaining. The other thing that we were concerned about was the price. We paid $120 each and that seemed expensive for what we actually got. The next night we attended a Luau, for much less money and more food options and good entertainment. So, in summary. This was an ok night, but very expensive. Thought should be given how to cope with unforeseen circumstances (how about some finger food, such as crackers and cheeses, while waiting, or at least a place to sit? Remember, it is not just for your bus customers)

Looking for something different to do during your stay on the Big Island. As a local resident and as an employee of the Kona Reef Resort I can honestly say the Evening at the Ranch with Kahua Ranch is a guaranteed great time. They will show you old Hawaii in a way never expected and definitely provide a night to remember with their breathtaking views in upper Waimea, line dancing & sing alongs, roasting marshmallows at the campfire. And the do all the driving for you! Thank you Kahua Ranch for constantly providing out guest here at the Kona Reef Resort and amazing experience and great service. We love working with you guys!

-Kona Reef Resort- Alexis Stubbs- Front Desk Agent

We decided to go to the ranch instead of a luau and we were not dissapointed. The food was delicious, the drinks (wine, beer, water, juice) plentyful. Entertainment was a riot. The views of the mountain and sunset were breathtaking.

A visit to Kahua Ranch is always one of our highlights whenever visiting the beautiful island of Hawaii. From John's welcome, to the plentiful beverages served, to the sunset on the horizon, to the great barbecue dinner, to the wonderful entertainment & dancing, and to the amazing appearance of Miss Piggly Wiggley, this Ranch is a magical place that is both unexpected and captivating! Thank you Richards' family for providing once again a wonderful evening!

Our tour got off to a good start. The driver (Hilary) picked us up and was full of entertaining, informative stories about ranching on the big island. We past through beautiful county side on pur way and were greeted by ranch hands who were friendly as they directed us to alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. John, who was our host told us what to expect in an entertaining way before we broke off to view an amazing sunset. From there it was down hill.
Being on a ranch, I expected the food to be fresh and good, it was average at best. We were cramed into a small area to eat where there was a dance floor but it was too small to accommodate the number of people there.
They did one line dance before sending everyone out for activities in a small area where you tripped over each other. In most cases you had to figure out yourself.
I will admit I grew up with family that ran farms so my expectations were high. If you've never spent any time on a ranch or farm and/or have kids, this may be something you'll enjoy (those are who seemed to have the most fun).
If not, save your money and go out for a good steak dinner and drive through the country side on your own.

A fun evening for all! The bus ride up to ranch was gorgeous with view after view. We were greeted by our gracious hosts who made sure folks were settled in right away. If you want an evening of good food, a campfire complete with s'mores, country music, cattle robin' and more this is for you. I had worked a cattle ranch, and this was still a fun evening. Great family activity.

We took a shuttle bus from our resort - the Hilton at Waikoloa Village up to the ranch for a birthday dinner for one of our group of six. We all had a great time. The food, service and experience were great. Sadly, I was not feeling well so I could not take full advantage of the drinks and meal. The entertainment was great - especially the fiddle player. We loved seeing the pig and my sister roped for the first time. We all branded our Kahua Ranch "K" on our take home souvenir shingle. The open bar was great and because we were not driving several of our group were able to fully indulge themselves in the free-flowing beer and wine. The barbecue dinner of steak and chicken was very filling and good. The dessert of the Macadamia Nut Pie was delicious - I even indulged myself. We loved making our "s'mores" over the open fire - it was fun! The best of all was that we did not have to drive back to the hotel I think just about everyone on the bus was sleeping as it was dark out so not much to see on the way back. All in all a great evening - too bad I was under the weather.

Our trip to Kahua Ranch was informative and extremely enjoyable! Food was great, Entertainment was a lot of fun. Listening to John inform us about the joys and trials of running a modern ranch in Hawaii was very interesting.

Fun place to visit, so different than what you think of "Hawaii." Food was excellent. Long bus ride from Kailua-Kona, but nice to have someone else drive so you can enjoy the Kona Brewery beer served there.

Also get to practice your roping skills, pet a pig. The views are to die for. Prepare for cool weather, even some rain.

I love the ranch. This is my second time here. It was still good during COVID. It was different because we couldn’t take the bus and had to drive but it was still worth it. The prime rib was absolutely delicious and chicken was some of the best I’ve ever had. We also played cornhole and then hung out. We skipped some of the other extras because we had done them before. The host wasn’t as good as the guy from 2018 but it was still enjoyable and I would recommend this over a luau if visiting the big island. They do have live music at the end and do some country dancing. The views are outstanding and we had a nice clear sky to start. The prices at the bar are reasonable and pop/water is complimentary.

We had a great evening with kids and grandkids. The meal was fantastic with music and dancing and friendly staff. The setting was beautiful and nicely set up tables and buffet.

Great views, good times, cool weather (I know, hard to believe in Hawaii), and tasty food. It kinda of reminds me a bit like a Luau, but country style. Rolling green hills and pasture lands. Open bar, all you can eat feast and those slabs of macadamia nut pie are delightful! A great activity for all ages.

Want to become a part of a family this night and the staff are so special. Everyone will have a great time young and old lots to do and magic to see.

The excursion getting to Kahua Ranch was lengthy, but when you get there all of the folks make it worth our while. We were received by beverages and opportunity to freshen up. Then we were presented with some history and levity from our host, really great speaker. The dinner was amazing, new your steak and chicken with all of the fixings, very tasty, compliments to the chefs. After enough time to enjoy dinner, we were entertained by additional music and comedy. We were taught to rope a cow( a fake cow). Everyone at the Ranch was very accommodating, friendly and attentive. Highly recommend this adventure.

Why am I sitting in an open barn with rain coming in eating the WORST food on the island listening to some really bad country music?
Don't believe the hype.

Good tim. Country western music preceded by a buffet dinner of tasty shredded beef and perfectly prepared juicy chicken, beans, corn, salad and more, and macadamia pie to to it off. Music, dancing top off a lovely evening on this mountain ranch.

Great environment. Feels like family. Great food. Just keep going back for more. Would recommend driving yourself to the ranch and arrive at 5:30pm to watch the sunset. Then sit by the fire outside until they extinguish it. Then it is time to go home. Great live entertainment, excellent food including S'Mores. After dinner activities include roping, horseshoes, and seeing the pet pig. Great fun for the entire family of all ages.

We enjoyed the Kahua Ranch. The bus ride to and from the ranch was nice (thanks Tom). Once we arrived, beer, wine, sodas, juices and water were available. The facilities are simple. The dinner was very good. The entertainer played some old country songs. There was time for some dancing too. I enjoyed the branding of a wood shingle as a keepsake and viewing the stars. It was a relaxing night. Something for everyone.

The drive to the ranch was awesome, the entertainment couple were very nice and talented. Plenty of food to serve all that attended.
added bonus was a gentleman had a telescope to view the beautiful stars that were viewable.

Thoroughly enjoyed our experience at the ranch- as past dairy farmers it brought back many warm memories- the staff was so welcoming and knowledgeable, and made you feel a part of the ranch too.

Long bus ride -2 hours each way plus non working bathrooms offset the good food. Great hosts but overpriced for value. Good for someone who had never visited a ranch

The ride to the ranch took a very long time. Longer than they had indicated when we spoke to them. At least we didn't have to drive. It lightly rained the whole time we were there which hampered the experience. There really wasn't much to do. All of the food was very good, except the steak, which we had looked forward to good cattle ranch beef. It was very overcooked and dry. No flavor. Only one person returning on the bug said their steak was good. All of the sides were great so no one went hungry. Then another long long ride home.

We went to the Paniola BBQ. The ranch and views are beautiful, food was great and staff were very welcoming and friendly. Definitely will go again!

We liked the sound of this outing to a ranch for a BBQ, live music, campfire, smores and branding. The bus ride all the way up to the ranch was beautiful and filled with lots of information about the Island. The sunset was great, learning about the ranch was very interesting, the meal was fantastic all while listening to live music. Our kids: 4,5,7,9 thoroughly enjoyed themselves with all the activities and they loved the meal as well.

The staff and hosts were so friendly. Even though we were told to bring sweatshirts we forgot one and they lent one to us right away. Definitely bring a sweatshirt, if you can remember.

This was our second visit to Kahua Ranch. The bus drive to get to the ranch was very informative. It turned out to be a nice evening to see the sunset but was clouded over sow e were unable to see the stars. Everyone was very welcoming. We were disappointed that Piggly Wiggly had passed away recently. The food was very good! It was a great time!

You can tell from the other reviews that this is a great experience so I won't rehash that. We drove up ourselves and spent the afternoon in the town nearby. We went in the middle of March when the weather had been unusually bad, actually bad for our whole trip. We dressed warm and did not have any problems. We did not have a sunset per se nor could we see the stars but it was still a great experience. The only issue for us was the smoke from the campfire. I don't know if the wood was green or wet but there was a ton of smoke the entire evening. You couldn't really escape it because the wind would change direction. Fortunately my husband always carries his inhalator with him. On a sidenote, I am watching some old Magnum PI episodes on TV. We could swear that the November 7, 1985 episode called "paniolo " showed parts of Kahua Ranch, mainly the entrance where one makes a right turn to enter the property.

A little view into a real Hawaiian ranch.

Travel the island a bit and you realize the real Hawaii is not resorts and luau dinners. Much of the island is farms and ranches. Not many of the ranches welcome visitors, Kahua is the exception.

It is fun to get a glimpse of a working cattle ranch, to talk with the owner and have dinner while you listen to cattle in the pastures.

The experience is real, the food is good, the view is spectacular.

We had a great evening here. A coach transported us to and from our hotel to the Ranch where we received a warm welcome. The buffet was beef, chicken and plenty of salads and vegetables. Plenty to eat and drink plus entertainment from a western singer, line dancing fun and a visit from 'Piggly Wiggly'. after you could practise lassoing, branding a shingle wood and making 's'mores' on the camp fire. We also learnt many interesting facts about ranching on Big Island. Well worth a visit for something different and good fun.

Though we are from Alberta (ranch land in Canada) my wife didn't grow up in Alberta. She was sold on the experience as the sales pitch at our resort was excellent. It didn't disappoint. The food was great, the entertainment was tons of fun for our kids (I'm not a country music guy) and there were tons of things to do.
We drove ourselves there as I don't drink and had more time before and after than the bus guests....though you need a DD.
If you've never been to a Ranch, avoid the Luau and come here. I found the food and atmosphere better for families with kids!
Make sure you save room for one of the unlimited Smores after supper!

This was not something we would normally choose to do but we had our four year old granddaughter with us and thought it would be fun for her. We wound up enjoying it ourselves and our granddaughter had the best time. The staff at Kahua Ranch was so nice and really went out of their way to make you feel welcome. The food was good and the band was great and there was lots of dancing. After dinner and dancing, you could try your hand at branding, steering or make some s'mores :) The location is just gorgeous and the views can't be beat. There was a terrible accident on our way to the ranch so we missed the sunset but just seeing it on the way up you could tell it had to be an amazing view from the ranch. Although it's a bit pricey, if you have kids with you, it's worth doing.

This was our second visit to Kahua Ranch. Our first was an event for the Nature Conservancy. We chose Kahua Ranch for a private "Crew Appreciation Day" for our staff. The Western-style Barbeque and related activities were exactly what we wanted for this event.
They arranged for a bus to pick us up at our shop in Kailua-Kona, and deliver us to their ranch. It was a bus company that they use frequently. The driver was able to give us an informative narration and tell us what to expect once we arrived. They even showed a video on the bus that was a documentary about cattle ranching and the history of "Paniolos" in Hawaii. The drive was very scenic, and it was really nice to be able to look out the window and focus on the scenery. Plus, there was the obvious benefit of not having to drive back to town after the event.
When we arrived at the ranch, we were greeted by the friendly staff, and had the opportunity to get our pictures taken atop a very friendly and patient horse. The beer keg and wine were good and always handy. The owner is Monty Richards, a stalwart of the community. His son John gave us a humorous and informative talk about the challenges of practicing modern sustainable cattle ranching on a remote Pacific island. If you're old enough to remember "Hoss" on the old series "Bonanza", you can picture John.
Then there was the best sunset I've seen in a long time.
The food was amazing. Throw in some western dancing lessons, cow-roping and branding lessons, a visit with a pet goat and a huge friendly pig, and the evening was over before we knew it.
Although we did it as part of a private group, you could enjoy this activity with just your family, your friends, or make some new ones at the ranch. It was very fun and pleasant.

The first thing you'll probably notice is the view from the ranch. It's gorgeous, hilly and everything is so lush and green. The family and staff at the ranch are extremely hospitable. The food is buffet but very good. There is an open bar (beer & wine). They give you a little history of the ranch, some singing and line dancing, smores, we branded a piece of wood to keep, played horseshoes, learned to rope and watched a fabulous sunset. It was a very enjoyable evening.

We opted to do this tour because we got a discount from our resort. The food was good, but wasn't anything super special considering the price. The country music entertainment was okay and some of the activities were quite fun. The thing that really made the evening nice was the informative talk about ranching in HI - thanks to John for that. We also enjoyed the open bar, meeting the farm animals, and especially enjoyed the nice campfire on a cool misty evening.

I was glad that we picked this over a traditional luau, but feel like doing it once was all we needed. I think it was a worthwhile experience though.

This was our first visit to this Ranch and it was great. They have Buffet Ranch style dinner Wednesday only. Great Sunsets, good food with entertainment and open bar with Kona beer, red & white wines. Fun for the whole family. The tour we took included the 2 hr. ride up to the Ranch, Sunset Dinner w/drinks and lots of activities plus the return trip back to Hotels. Beautiful Location and well worth the money....

Awesome!!!! Been comming for 15 years! ALWAYS an awesome experience! The food is great and there is plenty of it! The view is amazing! One of my favorite places on the big island! Sue who runs the event is awesome too!

Our driver picked us up from our Royal Sea Cliff place & drove to this huge ranch. Spent the next 3-4 hrs at the ranch where we ate steak & Chicken dinners with all the fixins including the macadamia nut cake for dessert.Enjoy open bar with beer, white or red wine & soft drinks if you don't like either of them. Enjoy learning how to rope or line dance. Eat marshmellows & enjoy the view over the mountains. It is every wednesday. Thoroughly enjoyable. The winding roads on the way back to our motel make you sleepy because of the full stomach. All in all it was different & a must if you have time . We paid about $ 135 per adult. In my mind it was well worth the price.

We did this almost by chance, so glad we did. If you are in town on a Wednesday go. We had a great time and the staff and owner make you feel like you are family. The food is really good and all you can eat. It is a little chilli so take a jacket but it's so with it to see the beautiful ranch in the clouds and the beach just an hour away. Take the transportation and enjoy the journey.

Our family experienced Kahua Ranch 12 years ago and visited again on our return trip to the Big Island. We liked everything about it and now have pictures of the granddaughters on the horse when they were little and now teenagers. Kahua Ranch is a must do destination if you're looking for a unique and Hawaiian experience, even better than the run-of-the-mill luau's. Kahua Ranch has been family owned and run for 90 years and the staff are very friendly. We're looking forward to our next visit in 2 years with another group of our family and grandsons.

We wanted a guided 2 hour tour rather than a tour where we each road our own ATV. Phil did a fantastic job of showing and telling us about this huge beautiful ranch. At over 3000ft elevation it was cooler, but in a light rain, still comfortable. We got a little wet, but loved every minute. We learned the history of the ranch, how it operates and the special wagu beef they raise.
We went into cow pastures, saw horses and sheep, and the ranch's energy conservation efforts.
A highlight was discovering a herd of 13 wild pigs who took off across the pastures to hide up in the wooded mountain side. Such fun chasing after the pigs trying to get pictures of them. Also saw wild turkeys. We felt as safe as one is going to feel zooming up and down hills and gulleys in an ATV.
It is a beautiful ranch. Phil is great. Pam too. Thanks for a fun adventure. It was the highlight of our visit to the big island of Hawaii.

From start to finish, an Evening at Kahua Ranch is a totally awesome experience. Arrive to a warm greeting, watch a (usually) breath-taking sunset, hear about the history of the ranch from big John Richards, enjoy mingling with folks from all over the world, while enjoying a beer or wine from the open bar. Be totally entertained by MC Sue Foat as well as live music and dancing and several other wonderful activities. Dinner includes: Grilled steak & chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, corn, fresh greens, ranch style baked beans, fresh Hawaiian bread, and to finish it all Macadamia Nut Pie for dessert! We've been going to the ranch for the past four year when we visit the Big Island and always look forward to our return to the Ranch.

Spend a fun day day at a Hawaiian ranch, go horseback riding, learn how to lasso, or have a flavorful ranch style meal. Nice scenery too!

My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary at the Kahua Ranch. The entertainment was awesome and the staff was so very, very nice. Many thanks to Sue Foat for excellent "customer service"....:-) We have been to several luau's so this was a pleasant change. The BBQ was excellent and the "country" atmosphere was very relaxing. We really enjoyed the entire experience and YES, I would highly recommend this to be on your agenda for when you come to the Big island.

While visiting Hawaii for the first time and staying on the big island we were looking for things to do. We came across the activity being rated and quickly signed up for this. We were escorted from our resort to the ranch on a private coach bus. The driver was very informative enroute. Upon arriving at the Ranch we were taken by the breathtaking views from the elevation overlooking the sea. The entertainment was great and I would like to express a special shout-out to Sue who was excellent and wonderful in every way. The food was excellent and plentiful. If anyone left hungry it was their fault for sure! we got to observe planets through a high-powered telescope on site as well as enjoying s'mores by a fire. I would highly recommend this activity to anyone visiting the Big Island for the first time or for that matter any time.

Overall, it would have been just an ok evening, given the 2 hour bus ride each way, average foods, and marginal facilities. The actual amount of time we spent there was only about 2.5 hours. However, my sister eats gluten free, and while the brochure and our hotel's concierge assured us that there was "steak & chicken buffet dinner with all the fixins'", once there, we were told that the grill for the steaks had broken 2 weeks prior (later we were told it was 1 week prior) and the only meat available was pork bbq with sauce (she does not eat pork) and dried out chicken. The hostess, Sue, originally told my sister that she would make it right, but when they spoke the next day, Sue told her that because I had won a free dinner reservation in a drawing, she would not refund my sister's reservation. This despite the fact that we paid for 4 others to go. The bread was store bought, the mashed potatoes had gluten, the macadamia nut pie was bleh.

Overall, the night was not worth the total of 4 hours driving to get there and back.

We took a Gray Lines tour bus to the ranch for an evening of food and drinks, songs, games, and general fun! The history of the area makes the stories better and the entertainment was wonderful.

My husband and I wanted to try something different from a luau. This was a nice change. You can choose to drive yourself or be transported by bus. I suggest the bus. It's all you can eat and drink. They serve beer and wine. We were staying in Kona. It's a bit of a drive from there. It is also pretty dark up the mountain. They give you a history of the ranch. Which is very interesting and most people don't realize that Hawaii has cowboys and ranches. The food is fantastic! You can play horseshoes, learn to lasso, make Smores and branding. It was great evening.

So glad we came to this evening & dinner. We came with our friends who we were travelling with and we all agreed it was a highlight of our big island adventures. We travelled there by bus which is the way to go. Tommy our driver was a wealth of knowledge on the area & the ranch itself & very entertaining. When our bus arrived our host came to the bus to welcome us individually. The meal was fabulous, steak cooked as you liked it with chicken and all the trimmings and macadamia nut pie for dessert. There was an open bar & non-alcoholic beverages on ice and throughout dinner and the entertainment you didn't have to leave your seat if you wished a beverage. They brought it to you.The live music entertainment and the after dinner activities were fun & informative. Thanks for a great time!

The 1 1/2 hour ride from Kona aboard a large coach was well worth the time. The all-you-can-eat dinner was delicious. The musical entertainment was top notch. The explanation of how the ranch is operated was educational, and the 350 pound wild pig who crashed the party was memorable. There as some nice videos on youtube that do a fine job of offering more information. Just search for "Kahua Ranch."

I can't even say enough about Sue from Big Island Discovery. This is the best view, best food, and fun in a relaxed and informative trip to a ranch that has views I have ever seen on this fabulous island. Don't miss.

Wonderful night of good food and entertainment. The ride up the mountain is breathtaking with views of the valley and sea below. The event is very organized and priced reasonably considering all that is involved. A 90 ride in a luxury bus, all you can eat buffet, live music and dancing, roping demo and branding. Many photo opportunities. Feels like the hosts are having a large family gathering!

Excellent food, warm aloha, good entertainment. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The hosts engaged guests of all ages.

Join us for a cultural, historical, and FUN-FILLED evening!! What a treasure!!! Warm hospitality---John Richards, Ray, Sue--full of entertainment and story-telling! Wonderful STEAK and BBQ chicken, all the stuff goes with it! and for dessert...Macadamia NutPie! Open bar---they always have Kona Brewing Beer and white and red wines---never goes empty!! I would go back to the Ranch any time on the Big Island! It was by far the BEST---even the luau can't beat the Ranch!!

My wife and I took the Kahua Ranch tour and were disappointed. We did not think this was worth $130 dollars per person. The bus came to pick us up about 4:30pm from our hotel. The drive was about a two-hour drive to the ranch. The drive getting there was boring (bus was not comfortable) but it was interesting to see some of the lava rocks. Once we arrived we were greeted by a “cowboy” and we listened to him tell stories about the ranch and its history. While it was an "open bar" there was little choice of beverages: red or white wine, one type of tap beer, soda or water. After a thirty-minute lecture describing the history of this ranch we then proceed to the buffet line that consisted of bbq chicken, green salad and steak (we found out the beef was not from this ranch). The food was decent and plentiful, as you would expect, but not fancy. We then listened to some country music. Later they served macadamia nut pie at our table. Then after dinner, the guy who gave us the initial lecture comes out with a huge pig that he feeds and people can take pictures of. Then they do some roping and some branding (very amateurish and touristy). Smores were available (prepared on a small bbq grill on the concrete sidewalk). We were then off to the bus for a two-hour drive back to our hotel. There was no sunset, stars, or moon the night we were there due to the fog. There was no outdoors fire pit like was described in their brochure. This ranch tour was nothing special, was boring, and was not much fun. Overall there are better ways to spend your time and money on the Big Island.

Just did this second year in a row. It is informative, entertaining, relaxing, and just good old plain fun. Views are incredible. Owner John Richards is awesome and Sue, well she's just full of never ending energy.

My family just spent an evening at the ranch it was great. The food was delicious and entertainment was good. They have a huge pet pig, couple dogs running around and a horse you can get your photo with. Great view for a sunset. Dress warm and wear something you don't mind wearing around a campfire.

The 2 hour long bus ride was torcher with that bus driver. He kept talking I just wanted to yell “SHUTUP!!!”. When we got to the ranch they showed us around. John was the best part :) he was hilarious this is a quote “ BUT THE SHEEP EAT IT! GO SHEEP WOOOOOO” 🤣 it was a nice night and the s’mores were delicious. The dinner was okay. The corn was disgusting and get a well done steak you won’t regret. I would definitely recommend this to anybody. There was line dancing and country music which was REALLY LOUD.

Just had a wonderful experience. The view and sunset were amazing, the drive was beautiful as well. Great evening, delicious and plentiful food, genuine hospitality, live band, beverages for all. The view was the star. High up on the mountain (can get chilly), sunset was the first act, but when the sky darkened the stars came out. See why they call it the milky way. Fantastic night, great service and thanks to the host Sue for making us feel at home

Our group of 24 had a fantastic time at Kahua Ranch filled with great music, stargazing, all you can drink beer/wine, fantastic food and lasso'ing... being a horse girl, my wife particularly enjoyed the line dancing and lasso'ing! Thankfully, due to our group size, the ranch was able to accomodate a custom pickup location, which was really appreciated! Overall a fantastic evening and exceeded expectations.

We had a great evening of food, entertainment and Hawaiian culture and history. It began when we were picked up in very comfortable bus and transported to the Kahua Ranch . During the trip, we had the opportunity to view some very educational and interesting video about Hawaii and the history of catlle ranching and its place in Hawaiian history. Upon arrival we were greeted by the hostess and Big John. it was very apparent from the outset that our enjoyment was their #1 and only priority. From great food, entertainment and some more information on the ranch and how it seeks sustainability of the land via good grazing practices and incorporating different types of animals.We were able to view snow on Mauna Kea, the ocean, Maui and on awesome sunset. We would do this event again in a heartbeat.

An Evening at Kahua Ranch is the perfect place to connect with old friends and getting to know new ones while also creating precious memories with your family. This is a place where new friendships begin each Wednesday, whether it’s on the dance floor, talking story around the camp fire, honing your roping skills, playing horseshoes, making s’mores, using a branding iron, or checking out the dramatic starlit sky. Laka, the horse, is my toddler son’s favorite and all he talks about since visiting the ranch. The panoramic heart-stopping views and rolling hills-are-alive landscape at the historic Kahua Ranch are stunning. Here, you will meet genuine paniolo and ohana from Kahua Ranch, who expertly share their love of the land and Hawaii’s ranching history. At suppertime, you’ll gather with fellow guests in a sweeping dining pavilion to savor a delicious down-home, stick to your bones meal with all the fixings. Seriously, there is no better place to get a different view of Hawaii, reconnect with the land, and spend quality time with the most important people in our lives. There’s something else about Kahua Ranch that is harder to put into words, except to say that you quickly feel at home here. This has a lot to do with all those involved with An Evening At Kahua, who are uniquely gifted at aloha.

This was our most fun and personable experience on the Big Island. The Kahua Ranch is a family business that shares a working ranch with the public and adds many "down home" fun features to the educational experience. The family and staff are still caring of guests and ensure that glasses are full, questions are answered, big plates are savoured, line dances are danced, and oldie songs sung. The Pig who thinks he is a dog arrives after dinner, horses pose gently for photo ops, and little dogs play cute. The warm sunsets, dramatic clouds, verdant hills, and ruminating cattle provide a sense of peace. Super Sue, the Mistress of Ceremonies slings beer, sings, line dances, keeps an attentive eye on things, and puts all at ease. Yes. A strongly recommended experience on the Big Island.

We had a really fun night! Beautiful sunset with a view that can't be beat. Various activities to participate in--from cattle roping to line dancing to stargazing and stamping your own brand on a souvenir wooden plaque + more. Dinner was great and the hosts/guides were a lot of fun. The bus driver picked us up right on time and was very knowledgeable and informative. Would recommend this adventure for anyone new to Hawaii or just looking for something different to do--you won't regret it!

We decided to take this tour of the cattle ranch. It was relaxing and quite a drive up into the Hills. Breath takingingly Beautiful! The rolling hills so green and lush. Upon arriving the owner greets the tour bus and then there is a welcome to the Ranch speech to give you a run down of when it started and how it is run. Interesting story and Family run. Then onto roping, petting and feeding the 400 lb resident Pig, branding, line dancing and Dinner. Nice and Fun. A bit too rushed at times though.

This is a beautiful ranch above Kona, if you like cowboy music, all you can eat and drink Beer and wine, soda etc. you will love this. You can learn branding, make s’mores, and look at the stars. Wonderful evening there.

I was traveling with a large group of people and the rest of the group wanted to do this trip so I went along for the sake of camaraderie...the setting was gorgeous and I enjoyed seeing the ranch dogs, and the pet pig, but the cost is a bit high for a merely adequate meal (it didn't help that I am a vegetarian and a non-drinker...) To be fair to the ranch the others in the group seemed to really enjoy it. So if you are into the country-western cowboy thing this might be up your alley, but I think I would have rather spent my money on a luau.

Our second time visiting Kahua Ranch and it was just as enjoyable as the first time. Had a great bus driver from our resort who shared a lot of information about the island and kept us well entertained. So nice not to have to do the return driving in the dark. Food and entertainment were very good. Ranch employees make you feel so welcome. A fun time for all ages.

I was a bit disappointed this year. The bus ride up was very long as one bus picked up all clients at all stops. The price goes up every year making it less desirable and the food was less than previous years. Instead of steak we got pulled beef. The beans were not the usual baked beans. I think I have possibly gone for the last time after 6 or 7 trips.

The bus drive up to the ranch from Kona took in some awe-inspiring scenery of the mountains and the lava plains below as we made our way up the 3000 feet to the ranch. The day was very clear and so we were just able to make out the observatories on the top of Mount Kea. There was a warm welcome at the ranch with one host providing a succinct but amusing overview of life on a ranch today. The meal was well organised and tasty, accompanied by Country and Western singing. After the meal, another host taught line dancing and there were plenty of opportunities to learn to rope a cow, brand a piece of wood, gaze at the stars or toast marshmallows over an open fire. Excellent evening, good value for money.

we went to Kahua Ranch for the bbq with a big family group. there were 18 of us ranging from 2yrs old to 75. the entire experience was great. food was very good and the hosts were welcoming and entertaining. I would highly recommend this experience. it's a part of Hawaii that many people don't know about.

Wanted something different than another luau and this did not disappoint. We opted for the less expensive option to drive ourselves up there and we also shaved a lot of time off the commute. Only 45 minutes from the Mauna Lani resort. It also allowed us to leave when it was over, without having to wait for two tour busses to load - so definite time saving option.

Breaking it down:

* Dinner - Good BBQ. Steaks prepared well to rare so options for guests. Chicken juicy and flavorful. Loved the beans. Kids ate too many hawaiian sweet rolls. Mac Nut Pie is a classic on island and very much like pecan pie - very sweet. Plenty of food. Lines move quickly. All food was hot and did not feel like luke-warm luau food I've had in the past.

* Drinks - Open bar of beer and wine. Staff float around the guests and refill glasses often. Soda, hawaiian fruit juices and Costco water bottles all served from under ice in coolers.

* Entertainment - The musician was wonderful. Country music - some classic, some newer. Sue, the hostess, was cheerful and great at mingling and visiting with guests. Only criticism is the "anyone here having a birthday?" "anyone here celebrating an anniversary?" part of the night. Ugh. Just have everyone with a birthday stand up and sing them all happy birthday. Then have everyone celebrating special occasions stand up and everyone clap. Going person by person and couple by couple took over an hour and the kids checked out and the adults were ready to go outside and see the stars and such. Move on already....

After dinner activities:

* Line Dancing - They teach you two line dances after dinner, if you stick around the porch and don't rush out to the large telescope, s'mores, or fire pit.

* S'mores - It is a small hibachi on a picnic table but the kids love it and are well supervised while the staff help them make class s'mores.

* Fire pit is warm and real wood and adds that great camping smell to the night air.

* Telescope and laser pointer - Staff pull out a giant telescope and you can see the milky way, saturn, mars and of course the moon up close. Very cool. The laser pointer was fun as he pointed out the dippers, Orion's belt and alike easily for all to see.

* Horseshoes up on the hill with night lights.

* Lasso lessons for the kiddos in the barn area.

* Kahua Ranch mini-store with logo sweatshirts, hats and alike in case you didn't head the notice to dress warmly. It is much cooler at the top of the mountain at night.

* Piggly Wiggly - the big black pig that wanders the ranch like a dog was the hit of the party. Everyone grabbed photos and kids followed him around.

Great fun for every age!

Great food, paniolo (cowboy) activities, country music, line dancing ... good fun! It is up mauka (mountain) so dress warmly and do take the transportation option so you can enjoy the wine and beer and get home safely. You will have a great time.

This was a first for us, we have been to Hawaii several times, but have never been to this dinner. I have always wanted a picture of the green hills of Waiema, but have never been able to capture them, this allowed me the perfect opportunity to do so! I thought I had see the most beautiful sunsets that the island had to offer.....I found out that evening that I was very wrong! The sunset that evening setting behind the green bus of Waiema sinking into the Pacific Ocean was magnificent! We learned some of the history of the ranch, had a great meal, met some wonderful people, and watched some older couples dance like they were still very young...which captured our hearts. I met a friend who was only 5 years old from Alaska who sang our national anthem, and we learned to ropes saw gorse cattle together! This was hands down one of the best evenings that we had this stay! I highly recommend this event to everyone. Sue greets each person who comes into the grounds like she has known you her whole life,& cowboy John is great as well! We look forward to going back again in the future!

Our trip to the ranch was amazing! The hospitality was great! The food was delicious and plentiful! A bit chilly so don't forget your coat!! However, our driver Sal, was something to be desired. He was rude!! He had a dry sense of humor but it was taken way over board as far as I was concerned. He told us he was retiring in 2 months?? he should have retired 2 months ago! Was not impressed so that made the trip a bit disappointing right from getting on at the hotel to being dropped off!

Just drove by, but beautiful grounds and cattle. Don't know if a tour is possible. So many changes to landscape as you follow the road. Interesting research.

What a fabulous afternoon and evening! We have lived part time on the island for 17 years and finally got to enjoy this experience! The aloha spirit is alive here as you are greeted with love at this ranch. You check in at the bar and are able to play cornhole, horseshoes, and try your hand at roping. The sunset was outstanding! An extra bonus was that there was an astonomer with his telescope and you could see the moon and Saturn with the rings! Super cool!

Everyone then gathers around the campfire and you get to hear the history of the ranch and learn about cattle ranching on the island. Dinner was fantastic ! Prime rib, chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, beans and asparagus; all just delicious! Mac nut pie and brownies for dessert. Plenty of food!

The music as great and after dinner we had a line dancing lesson and fun dancing. S’mores and branding followed After dinner and there was a cute gift shop too.

The positive spirit among all of the people working here was just infectious! They really serve with their hearts- you feel it. Honestly one of coolest things to do on the Big Island. Highly recommend!!

My family of 14 visited the ranch this past Wednesday and enjoyed the ranch bbq dinner tremendously! We are three generations with ages ranging from 2 - 62. The Paniolo dinner was a great time for all of us. There was “cattle” roping, horseshoe throwing, corn hole and time to explore the ranch a bit before dinner. My kids and grand kids especially enjoyed trying their hand at roping!
Just before dinner there was a great history lesson of the cattle industry and cowboying in Hawaii.
The dinner was SO tasty and plentiful! If you go away hungry, it is your own fault! 😊
After dinner there was great county/western music and dancing if one was so inclined. We enjoying the dancing thoroughly!
There was also the opportunity to make s’mores and stargaze a bit.
The kids also enjoyed getting to use a branding iron to make a take home souvenir of out visit,
To a person, everyone we interacted with was kind and welcoming. We definitely felt the Paniolo aloha!
Thanks for a great and memorable evening Kahua Ranch!

The best evening I've had in awhile. Everyone couldn't have been friendlier from the moment I arrived. The view from the ranch was amazing, and we had an incredible view of the sunset. My beer was never allowed to get completely empty before I was offered a refill. Steaks were cooked perfect, the music and entertainment was fun and family friendly, and the activities after dinner were a great way to finish out the evening. When we got back to the car, and realized I had a flat tire, they even stayed late and helped me fix it. I can't recommend this evening highly enough. I tell all my friends and family they have to go while on the big island.

We were picked up from our Timeshare, and the drive was about 1hr. (due to traffic). We enjoyed the information given about the area, and the views were awesome. The Ranch is an actual 'Working' ranch, and the owners greet you when you arrive...which is so nice. They talk about what they do, and how they work their family ranch.
The food is just plain AWESOME! We sat al fresco on the Lanai, but were fortunate to have outdoor heaters since the temps were about 45-50 degrees (10 C). Country music was the entertainment, and it was by a local artist that is well known on the islands. Many people line danced, or sang along.
After dinner there was branding, roping, and S'mores over an open fire. They also have a pet 'Pig' that weighs about 500 lbs.....and 2 dogs that greet each visitor. Our family had a great time! Not to be missed!!

John and Sue are great hosts, John being the cowboy comedian and Sue being the hostess, dance teacher, ballad singer and more. The meal was great with the exception of the steak being well done for my wife on two tries. My steak was perfect and I shared it with my wife.The potatoes and the best as is the mac nut pie. The entire evening was a delight. Would love to go again when the vog is not as bad.

After a ride with Kahua Ranch Stables earlier in the day, we went back for the evening BBQ and enjoyed a wonderful meal, entertainment and stargazing through a large telescope with folks that work at the observatory and know their stuff. Recommended for all ages.

We recently stayed in Kona with friends. Because we'd experienced the Sunset Dinner at Kahua Ranch in the past, we made reservations to attend again with our friends. Our second visit didn't disappoint! It was just as unique an experience this time, for us and our friends. I'm so impressed with the staff's enthusiasm and interest in making everyone experience a wonderful evening. I know they do this dinner time after time, but you'd never know it! They are talented and sociable, answering question after question asked by visitors. They provide music, singing, entertainment, a campfire, wine and beer and a fantastic BBQ steak/chicken dinner. You won't go away hungry and the quality is exceptional. The setting is beautiful... rolling green hills... you can see for miles. And if you still have an appetite after dinner and Macadamia Nut Pie for dessert, you can make S'Mores at the Campfire. You can drive up to the Ranch or be picked up by bus, which is a nice way to travel and enjoy the scenery. If you desire a unique experience on the Big Island, I highly recommend dinner at Kahua Ranch.

If I was a rancher, my dream location would be Kahua Ranch. The ranch is at 3500 feet, and the views area amazing. Unlike most of the Big Island, the terrain is lush and green, as well as cool. The introduction to the ranch is fascinating, and the activities are endless. From line dancing, to branding pieces of wood, we were constantly busy. Being a ranch, I had high hopes for the food, especially for the steak. Unfortunately, the food was very average. I'll admit, I'm a steak snob. I requested medium-rare, and I received a perfectly cooked steak. Unfortunately, the meat was gristly. Come here for the views, hospitality, and the activities, but not the food.

I think I was there the same night as the negative reviewer below but had a quite different feeling. To my wife and I we thought the whole evening was fun and different from a Luau etc. "Big John" and Sue go out of their way to be good hosts and hostesses. The food was good, its a buffet so don't expect much, entertainment good ( no top name concert). It is pricey but then everything in Hawaii is. Your picked up and returned in a full size tour bus which is a good idea since it is in the twisty hillside and beer and wine were free. It is a 2 hr dinner and explanation of cattle ranching in Hawaii, nothing more. We didn't care about how the stores were made or the quality of the branded souvenir nor the size of the gift shop...its a working ranch! I enjoyed John and his talks and meeting Piggly Wiggly. Like everything in life, you just can't please some people.

From the reservation, pick up at my hotel,dinner, and return the tour was well organized and entertainment coordinated. Sue and John made a great pair to host the evening, and entertain. Food was good for a ranch style dinner and there was plenty of it. Enjoyed the telescope and it was a nice view of the moon, Mars and Neptune! A cool place to watch the sunset, Local couple played some nice country style music, dancing was fun. When they tell you to bring warm clothing...need the advice!

We have been to the big island several times but we were surprised to find out about Kahua Ranch. We made reservations and drove to the ranch. I think the dinner was about $50 per adult, our 2 year old was free.There were not many signs as most of the people came by bus through a travel company. The drive was about 40 minutes from the Kona area. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice western atmosphere, open bar and steak and chicken dinner. Our 2 year old grand-daughter loved the friendly dogs, horse and big pig. She got to 'ride' the horse and got her picture taken and still talks about wanting to go horse back riding. She said the horse's name was Loki and piggly wiggly was the pig. The dinner was a buffet that was fresh and delicious and there was western entertainment throughout the night. After dinner you could brand a piece of wood, make s'mores, learn to lasso or look at the stars with a telescope.

We went to the Kahua Ranch while on our Island Cruise Tour. It was a positive experience and enjoyed by all. We stopped there for lunch and I must say it was delicious. The ranch also had a great shop to peruse through and the prices were very fair. I personally enjoyed the 2 horses that were in the area in front of the restaurant. They were both so docile and friendly and I loved them. A must stop while in the area!!

we were greeted by a very enthusiastic family as we arrived at the ranch . we drove up ourselves - which was easy. the views were amazing, and John told us about the workings of the ranch in a very informative and funny way. we were ushered into the dining area for our meal. steak, chicken mash Veges corn and salads. all beer,wine and soft drinks were supplied. there was music, line dancing and activities. it was a nice night out, with good country hospitality.

A wee bit chilly of a night but very enjoyable. John was amusing and very entertaining. Jack Martin was the entertainment and he was awesome.
The buffet food was cold which was very disappointing.
We were on a bus tour (Polynesian Tours) so that was very nice not having to drive the narrow winding road to the ranch. Plus the bus driver narrated the ride to the ranch and back which was great.

It took a 2 hour bus ride to get to the ranch! No one warned we needed motion sick medicine. The food was good. The people were friendly. It drizzled the whole time. S’mores and branding was fun. Would only do it again if it wasn’t a 2 hour bus ride and I could drive myself and if it was more cost effective.

We met John and Sue at separate events at The Paniolo Timeshare. As Paniolo is the Hawaiian word for Cowboy we were already interested in learning more. What we got was a wonderful Sunset Dinner and bus ride up the mountain with spectacular views and great fun facts. The food was great and events were fun. Their son John described many features of this working ranch "on a tropical island" which brings it's own challenges. Son John is the 4th generation running what was once the largest privately owned ranch in the USA. With his humor and John and Sue's leadership we wish them many many more years of growth.

This was our 2nd time at Kahua Ranch and loved it just as much as last time. It’s a great alternative to the traditional luau but feels like you’re visiting family! Food is good, my husband went back for seconds on steak. Sue and John are great hosts, Piiggly Wiiggly the pig is charming, the live country music is terrific. And the view from the ranch is amazing!

I would recommend this for couples and families visiting Big Island!

Good buffet dinner at a working Kohala Ranch with beautiful scenery... lots of low pressure ranch-related activities with friendly staff. Live music was great. This won’t be the show stopper event of the holiday, but it has a very appealing relaxed vibe and something for everyone. Easy to find on Hwy 250 if you are driving..

This ranch has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth!! John and Sue were so friendly and down to earth. They made us feel like part of the family. The food was delicious! We went to Parker Ranch last time and it didn't compare to Kahua. Definitely planning to go back!!

This was such a fun thing to do while on Big Island. We were taken to the ranch for a night of fun. It was an exciting evening. We were shown how the cowboys in Hawaii live and work on a real ranch. We had a great meal with chicken and steak. We also had music for us and lessons in line dancing. We also met the ranch dogs and pig. We also branded a piece of wood and made smoores. It was so much fun like summer camp for adults.

These people really show visitors the cowboy side of Aloha! The Kahua Ranch experience was so much fun, the people could not be more hospitable, the food was great and plenty of it. The entertainment was not only enjoyable but educational and important to learn about the controversial struggles of ranching on an Island and the importance to the economy. Very clean and comfortable surroundings especially in the weather conditions (the staff offered their own clothing to keep us warm!). You can't get a better bargain for entertainment. I think all visitors should see this side of Hawaii.

Nice evening. Beautiful ride out to the property with good narration by bus driver. Every one was very welcoming at the property. Food was delicious. Entertainment with singing and audience participation dancing. Lots of fun.

Visited the ranch last night for its sunset dinner. Arrived by bus just as the sun set. So much for the sunset aspect of dinner at the ranch. Greeted by the owner and staff - nice! Open bar - nice. Food plentiful and reasonably good - nice. Entertainment very good - nice. The entire program went without a hitch. Only drawback is the price. Almost $300 a couple. Seems this to be the norm though in Kona since our last visit .

Did this the last time we were on the Big Island and going back in May on our next visit. The scenery was amazing, the food was as good as we typically have at one of these events and they weren’t skimpy with the drinks. This time we’re bringing good friends with us for an event a bit different from most along the beach.

We have two small kids and go usually visit the Kahua Ranch every time we visit the Big Island.

This is such a different world up at 3,200 feet altitude. Great view of the whole Island and Maui across and always great sunsets.
The food is lovely comfort food and the entertainment is just perfect for a young family. Lots of variety of entertainment for kids.

You also learn something about how they do sustainable agriculture and the history of the island.

We are excited to join again soon.

If you want to enjoy ranch living on the Big Island, this tour is a must. We were picked up in front of our resort and the bus ride itself up to the Kohala Mountains is quite a different experience. The Paniolo culture of Hawaiian Cowboys is explained and the history is rich. The pastures at the ranch were stunning, the barbecue buffet is delicious, the traditional western music is quality and the activities are great. Piggly Wiggly, a huge 14 year old pig, roams the facility and even joined us on the dance floor. Elsa, the 2 week baby goat, could be held by all. We thoroughly enjoyed branding the letter K on wood for our own special souvenirs. John, the owner, a big, burly rancher makes the entire experience personal and fun. Do not miss this trip!

Good food and friendly, educational staff. Lots of different activities for all age groups. Alcohol included in the ticket price. A different but fun tour!

The ranch and settings were beautiful. There was live music and dancing. The food was delicious especially the macadamia pie! Activities were fun and I would highly recommend attending this function to anyone who loves the country life!

This is a real working ranch. They take a day off to serve dinner and share their story of raising cattle and sheep in Hawaii. They serve local beer which is wonderful and red and white wines. The buffet dinner has salad, beans, corn, mashed potatoes, hawaiian pink bread, chicken, and steak. You won't go hungry here. There are a variety of activities to do here. You can brand a shingle, rope a sawhorse, make smores, take a picture on a horse, feed the pig, and line dance. Everyone of all ages will enjoy this ranch experience. This is our 4th time and we keep coming back. The sunsets are gorgeous.

Very enjoyable time. Good food, great entertainment, breathtaking views. An overall welcoming atmosphere and relaxing experience.

My husband and I choose the evening trip to Kahua ranch, and what a trip it was. It was a great evening with the friendliest hosts and great entertainment. Great food, drink, music and wonderfully informative. Loved the little store too. Great gifts to take home to our loved ones. I would certainly recommend it for all ages. Lots of laughs throughout the evening. The people here know how to entertain and provide fun for all. The view from there is incredible. Loved the stories and history from John. Also loved Sue, who helped us with our arrangements. Terrific time.

We were introduced to this trip through the timeshare we stayed at which was Paniolo Greens. Sue was super sweet and so we decided to sign up for this dinner. It was a fun bus ride up to the ranch and we saw beautiful countryside as we were traveling up to the ranch. The sunset dinner was very good and it was great to actually see a working Hawaiian Cattle Ranch. The entertainment was also fun. Overall my husband and I had a great time. Again as soon as we got there Sue welcomed us with hugs. (She didn't do that to everybody) but we seemed to have found a place to her heart! If you left there hungry it was your own fault!

Love it! Went on a bus tour. It was safe! The bus was full. We got off the bus had some photo ops. Met the staff. Beer & wine were going around right away. Dinner was phenomenal!! I learned to rope and sang a lil with the entertainment. We made smores, watched the stars, even the stars from the other side of earth---We received a branded souvenir that we got to brand and overall the crowd, staff and people made it a memorable evening. We were way in the mountains/ it was chilly. There is a little gift shop, we needed a sweater and they were $50.00 so yeah.-- But the sweater is of good quality. Enjoy your time here.!! Oh probably the best part-- I learned to line dance in Hawaii, what a trip!!

Took my 3 year old to dinner at the ranch.. He loved it!! From the bus ride to the great music! All you can eat food was amazing and the staff made you feel like you were home. I recommend this for all ages, great way to spend your time on the island. For those without kids there is an open bar with local beer(=

We visited Kahua ranch on a recent visit to Hawaii. I have to say it was one of the highlights of our trip. Visiting a ranch was not something we expected to do in Hawaii but what a treat. Enjoyed the whole evening. The coach trip to the ranch was a mini tour in itself, some fabulous scenery. Once at the ranch the whole team were friendly and very hospitable. The evening was informative, but most of all fun. We ciuld have a try at lossoing, branding, toasting marshmallows to make 'smores' and line dancing. We even met the pet pig. The sunset view was spectacular and I've never seen so many stars, even without thehelp of the telescope provided! A big thankyou to all the team for giving us such a special evening. I definitely recommend it.

Make reservations if you want to attend an Evening at the Ranch - Wednesday only. This was a good 2 hour drive from the Puna District south of Hilo. Plan extra time if you want to stop and look at the scenery. It's a breathtaking drive up the coast to Honokaa. As you turn inland, the scenery changes to forest, then it's more barren as you travel above the tree line.

Drinks are available when you arrive. Beer, wines, soda, juice drinks and water. Help yourself. Find a good place to sit and watch the sunset. That's when the evening really begins. A member of the Richardson family tells you a bit about the ranch, the cattle and sheep. Yes, this is really a working cattle ranch. Interesting, entertaining, fun. Dinner is a buffet service, the food was quite good. Don't be afraid to try the steak. Mac nut pie for dessert is also very good. Before you leave, you can star gaze, participate in a sing-a-long, line dance, rope, make s'mores and brand your own souvenir. Highly recommend!

This is our favirite thing we did in Hawaii! Great food, music, dancing, stargazing, branding, roping and open bar :)
Had an awesome time!!

I haven't been on a horse in 30+ years, my husband and son are beginners and my daughter has been riding for the past year.

We all had a great time, riding through the hills on our borrowed horses. The two young women were experienced and helpful throughout.

What a great time!

When we arrived we were greeted and provided beverages. We sat at a campfire and listened to an informative entertaining introduction to the current ranch industry. On to a wonderful dinner with music. There was a line dancing number,roping, star gazing, branding, some mores to eat. The host John Richards and hostess Sue were so engaging. It was a wonderful evening!

This was my first visit to Hawaii and it will not be my last. The evening at the ranch was more than I expected. When booking my tours, the Hilton representative strongly suggested that I attend this event and I thanked her for doing so. As a solitary traveller, I was made to feel at home while receiving a great look into workings of such a farm. As a native Cape Bretoner, I was able appreciate Kahua for its core beauty and the family dedication that is conveyed in their presentation. On this evening we were all able to participate in our emcee's (John Richard's) Birthday; while, receiving a great history and depiction of a working ranch. After having such a warm experience filled with great food, conversation and many laughs I will be returning to Kahuna Ranch. Thank you Sam, Richard's family (Monty and John), Foat family (Raymond and Sue) and supporting staff for welcoming us to your ranch.

We expected beaches. We expected quaint bars overlooking the sea. We expected to visit Volcano National Park. We did not expect to enjoy a real ranch-style BBQ on a real working ranch almost 4000 ft. above the sea. Two buses pick up passengers from various stops along the Kona side of Hawai'i and in Waikoloa. The total journey up from Kailua is about two and a half hours. Tommy, our bus driver, gave us a running commentary describing the sublime and the mundane with a subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, wit. We arrived to find an open bar (Kona beer and decent wine) and a beautiful view. The ranch owner gave an enjoyable talk about ranching in Hawai'i and then dinner was served: BBQ beef and chicken, baked beans, garlic mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, green salad and Mac-Nut Pie. Eat and drink as much as you can handle while you dance to old-timers live country music. After dinner, learn to rope a calf (a rather scrawny stationary one) or brand a plank of wood, or make smores over an open fire, or look at the stars through computerised telescopes with Steve who is a real-life astronomer working at the Keck telescope observatory atop Mauna Kea. It's all a great adventure for kids, even the very young ones, who slept peacefully all the way home. Its a long afternoon and evening. The bus dropped us back where we started at 10:30, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

This was a fun night on the ranch. We were invited for a Steak Dinner and got oh so much more. I would never have thought there was a cattle ranch on the Island of Hawaii, but there we were at the top of a mountain watching the cattle graze. Lots of fun, learned a lot, did some star gazing after dark. Animals were roaming (pig, goat, dogs, horses). It was a fun evening.

Thank you for a wonderful experience. The ride was defined worth while and memorable. The horses were great Care Bear was very special. The guide was very informative and passionate about horses and the Island.

Thank you

This night was amazing. The service was extremely friendly, and the food was amazing! It wasn't too crowded, but there were enough people for it to feel like a party. The dancing was fun and the stars were beautiful. Loved it!

We were picked up at our timeshare and the drive was about an 1 hour. The views on the way were amazing. The driver explained and gave tons of interesting information about the island. They also showed a short movie on how Cattle ranching began on the island. Once we arrived at the ranch we were treated like family. We had a 7 and 10 year old and two 70 year olds with us and we all had a great time. The kids were able to take pictures with horses, there was a huge pig that my kids loved. My daughter learned how to rope and they both got to brand a piece of wood. It is an experience that you should not miss. The view of the ranch at sunset was amazing and the cattle roaming around was so cool. It was amazing.

Visited the Kahua Ranch on our last night of our vacation. It was our second excursion type of activity that we participated in. The first was a disappointing evening on a catamaran dinner cruise, so we were sceptical of this one. We were picked up near the condo we were staying at and rode to the ranch in a tour bus. The ride was comfortable and the driver narrated about the history of the area during the 45 minute journey. We arrived and were greeted by the ranch owners who entertained us with stories about the ranch throughout the evening. The views from the ranch are beautiful. About two hundred people attended this evening. The meal consisted of salad, beans mashed potatoes, teriyaki chicken and steak, all very well done. Overall, an enjoyable evening and a pleasant surprise.

This is a scenic, romantic place-great for an evening together on the island of Hawaii-a difficult kind of “ luau”

Last night we had a fantastic experience at the sunset dinner at Kahua Ranch. We arrived and wondered around a bit watching a fantastic sunset from high on Kohala. There were many activities throughout the night including visiting with a Ranch horse, branding wood, line dancing, sky viewing with their telescope and educational talks by John about Ranch life in Hawaii and the efforts they take to be ecologically thoughtful. Live country music by the Tollands was played for most of the evening. The food was plentiful and well done for a buffet. Life is short and unpredictable eat the Mac Nut custard pie first it was amazing!!! Our host Sue and her staff Sally, Dave and the others were friendly hospitable and helpful. This is a great evening for families, couples and all who enjoy the great outdoors. The evening ended with s’mores by the campfire! A great event on the Big Island!

This tour was truly fun as well as educational....whole family-type evening. We were individually greeted. The drinks never ran short! The food was good, not exceptional. Ranch history, animals, and workings explained. One could even try their hand with a lasso! Music & dancing were included.

We have been to this ranch dinner on three occasions and have already booked our fourth visit. We love everything about the evening. First the drive up with an informative driver who tells about the region. The scenery on the way up and then on the ranch as the sun sets is so peaceful and so beautiful. The owner is present and tells about the ranch and he's always entertaining. Dinner is served buffet style with all you can eat steak and chicken and the sides to go with it. Music and dancing is afterwards for those who want to learn some line dancing, roping is available for those who want to try it, smores over a fire, a token to take home, an open bar. It's not just a dinner, it's an evening experience. There is a horse picture opportunity, petting a very large swine (that's a pig) and dogs. This evening out is great for all ages. We have taken our grandchildren and we have gone as a couple. Next week we will go as a couple. You meet wonderful people, eat great food, drink great beer, and you don't have to drive yourself. The designated driver comes as part of the evening. You get picked up at a spot that is close to you. If you happen to be in the Waikoloa Resort there are three locations. Because we travel to the Big Island often we don't miss this opportunity for a wonderful evening out.

One the best things we did in Hawaii. The evening was perfect. From the time we arrived and enjoyed the gorgeous views of the landscape from hilltop to hilltop to ocean, we had a wonderful time. We were greeted by staff with personal handshakes and welcomed as if we were old friends. The food was great, the dinner entertainment was great. We really loved it all. During dinner my seven year old says "daddy can we come back here every Wednesday?" There was more to come. After dinner we had roping, camp fire songs, star gazing, and s'mores. Great genuine family fun for all ages. Thanks for a great memories.

Our evening was so enjoyable - nothing like it anywhere else in Hawaii! On top of a mountain, so dress warm! I had my winter coat and was glad to have it. The meal was all you can eat - steak, chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, baked beans, rolls, salad and macadamia nut pie. The had an open bar, line dancing, roping, branding, country music duo and s'mores! We heard the history of the ranch, enjoyed two dogs and a giant pig. I can't say enough about it. The food was awesome and the whole night was truly enjoyable. Beautiful drive to the top of the mountain, too!

Unassuming. Captivating. Savory. Fun.

Unassuming, because I didn’t think it was going to be a blast. But I left there feeling so good and happy that we started to plan which friends we are bringing here.

Captivating, because of the storytelling, landscape views and live entertainment.

Savory, because in every bite you get that umami flavor.

Fun, because the entire experience caused my face to smile.

For you Kamaʻāina, good place for da ohana get together. Get place and activities foa just let da kids go enjoy. Storytelling and live country music is on point! Da buffet is winnahs (Prime Rib). Ask fo da Kamaʻāina discount!

My family enjoyed the comfortable accomodations at Kahua Ranch. There was ample space in the guesthouse for the three of us. And you can't beat the morning views and hiking alongside the horses and cows. What a great Hawaiian paniolo country experience.

This was a complete, amazing surprise for our Hawaiian trip. You do not think of lush, rolling hills and cool weather when you think of Hawaii. The views were beautiful! We were met by a very friendly host when we walked up to the venue. We were treated to great ranch-style meal and entertainment. Would highly recommend this! The view of the stars after the sun went down was a spectacular bonus!!

The Kahua Ranch Dinner was good, and with more time actually spent at the ranch it could have been a 5 star experience. The whole experience is well planned out by the Ranch. Because there is unlimited (good)beer and wine and the ranch is a haul from anyplace on the island, the ranch encourages using their very comfortable buses, with pickups right at your resort. It appeared there were some people who drove their own vehicle though. Our bus driver was quite the tour guide; very knowledgeable and humorous. The ranch is beautiful, and the Ranch owner is a born entertainer. Food was very good (food was taken away before I could get seconds)and the solo guitarist during dinner was excellent. There were a number of activities after dinner which we missed most of them. The evening just went way to fast from one activity to another to really enjoy any one of them. A large part of the whole Ranch Dinner experience is taken up by the drive to and from the ranch. In our case we lost about 45 minutes getting to the ranch because our bus had to go back into Kona to pick up a missed pick up. My wife agrees with me that having one hour more would make the Ranch Dinner 5 stars. My suggestion is not to spend any extra time checking out the activities. Take a look and move on.

Awesome experience it's a great environment meet a lot of friendly people and dinner was great! You get to make a brand on a piece of wood and also meet mrs piggly wiggly there pig. Big John is ver friendly and outgoing.

I wish I would have read these reviews before we went. At my resort, one of their salesman came to speak with us about the ranch. He painted this glorious picture of the evening and how we would be served a steak and chicken dinner. I thought being on a ranch, I would be served a fabulous steak. However, we were served pork ribs which I don’t eat and chicken thighs that were dry and slathered in barbecue sauce. The salesman told us about Cattle roping But it turned out to be an a saw horse. The ranch was beautiful and the story of how it was started was great but I wish I would’ve saved a four hour bus ride round-trip and a couple hours on the ranch with an inedible dinner. The Anthony’s catering company was not helpful with my dietary needs. The corn and beans were from cans and for some reason the mashed potatoes had gluten in them. The rolls were from a plastic bag. Lastly, Sue, the hostess told me that night she would give me a refund and to call in the morning. When i called the next day, she refused to give me a refund because my friend won a buy one get one free from the salesman. There were four of us who paid. I was with a teenager and two young adults who were not impressed either.

There are places that make you smile when you think of them; the Kohala Mountain Road between Hawi and Waimea is one of those for me.

Getting to spend an evening watching the setting sun cast its shadows over this functioning 2000+ acre verdant cattle/sheep ranch, Kohala coast and distant Maui is just about as good as it gets.
This part of the experience was a "5".

Constructive suggestions:
Itinerary: Didn't get any information on arrival. My wife and I arrived on time and were, in retrospect, never totally clear as to the evening's agenda.

The 1st 75 minutes or so of the 3-hour event turned out to be a bit unstructured: Yes, lots of great photo opportunities, horseshoes, corn hole and even several lassos to try. I might suggest a handout or posted evening schedule.

It wasn't until just before dinner we were given a friendly "be careful" around this active ranch group talk; probably should have occurred a bit earlier. We also were given information on the ranch's operation including the challenges of getting their animals to the mainland market.

This was followed closely by the start of a sumptuous ranch-style dinner for the 90+ guests. Live country music performed by the ranch (?) foreman and his (??) wife allowed for line dancing and ushered in the star filled night.

Overall, the facilities were top notch, the food better than average, people friendly (kudos to Dave-caterer) and the opportunity to do something unique, in a beautiful setting, offset some organizational "looseness".

My sister and I went here for the Sunset Dinner. The food is fantastic! Love the steaks! All the people were so friendly. You can pet a horse or sit on the horse. The smores were yummy after dinner. We got to brand "K" for the Kahua Ranch on a piece of wood. The host of line dancing was fun and inviting. Bring a warm jacket and enjoy the evening.

Having lived here part time for years..& always wanted to go ,we
finally decided to go with another couple .the ride up in the small van was awesome, The driver of the small van was knowledgeable. The food was great !! Everyone enjoyed it ..but not for a vegetarian ( I had a veggie burger ).. They made 1 for me .. I wished there was more veggies !!!... It was lots of fun plenty of drinks lots of nice people working there great atmosphere...I wish it was earlier in the day!!...
The staff was incredible !!!

What a delightful experience we had here. It starts with the beautiful drive up the Kohala Coast and our surprise that this is truly a working family ranch with a long and storied history, a property loved by its owners and those who work there. We have travelled all over the world, experiencing hundreds of similar dinners and shows, yet I believe Kahua Ranch is the best overall experience. They do literally everything right, from the warm greeting upon arrival by host Raymond, to the best food I have experienced at such a large gathering. These types of events we've been to elsewhere usually have overcooked meats and vegetables, watery mashed potatoes, not-crisp iceberg lettuce and tasteless dressings, completed by frozen desserts. The opposite is true here and the price includes an open bar featuring quality Kona Brewing company draft beer and fine Robert Mondavi wines. The steak is served with a choice of three levels of doneness and it is high quality, tasty grass fed beef, and they will take your order for ranch raised beef to take home for your freezer if you live here on the Big Island. The chicken is moist and tender. The dressings must be home made, as the oil and balsamic vinegar is one of the best we've ever tasted. The lettuce is a mix of organic greens that was super fresh. The mashed potatoes were superb. The best part of all was the macadamia nut pie, that was similar to a rich pecan pie without the pecans. The crust was crunchy, not soggy. The musical entertainment and service and participation activities like roping, line dancing and wood plank souvenir branding were all good clean family fun. The sunset and view of the ocean is one-of-a-kind spell binding, and it alone is worth the trip and the price. Beyond the ranch itself and its historic location in paradise, the real secret here is the management. I don't know if it is Raymond, or the Richards family that owns the place, or the servers or entertainers, but someone creates this show and keeps it going and will result in me and my family coming back and everyone who asks me what to do in Hawaii, recommending Kahua Ranch without reservation. Speaking of reservations, when we called to make our reservations for four, we were saddened to learn that they were sold out. We put our name on the waiting list and, to our pleasure, we were called the day of the event and informed that there had been a cancellation. We were in luck and we had an amazing evening. My sister uses a wheel chair and Raymond and the servers made sure she felt welcome and able to enjoy everything. This is a very accessible experience for the disabled and people of all ages and capabilities. We will be back, that's for sure. We love this place and the people who make this great experience that is genuine and full of real hospitality and Aloha.
Jim Cason
Kailua Kona, Hawaii

This would've been the perfect night except it was a little rainy and couldn't see the sky. I was hoping to see all of the stars. The food was great, the entertainment was great, the entire family had an awesome time. Would definitely do again. Also the driver who took us out was awesome, he talked for 1.5 hours about Hawaiian history.

Unfortunately, the sales pitch we got at the hotel did not match what they delivered. It is a working ranch and it is a beautiful property and the sunset was stunning. However, the open bar was beer and wine. Beer that tasted like Bud Lite, not Kona and cheap wine. The dinner was good and plentiful. Very good steaks and an incredible macadamia nut pie. But it's supposed to be about the experience. It was so obvious that the staff felt forced to do this once-a-week BBQ. They acted either disinterested or grouchy. Also too, there was a lack of equipment at each station to accommodate >100 people. Please,,,, 2 horse-shoe pits, 1 branding station, 2 lasso stations with only 1 instructor,,,,, Really? And the hostess, bless her heart, she tried, but she was singing to us like we were in kindergarten. The only true outstanding thing was the country singer. That guy is awesome. Overall, it is better than a luau, but not by much.

Spending an evening at the Kahua Ranch was definitely a different Hawwaiian experience. Everyone was so friendly and the food was great...steak, bbq chicken, salad, fresh rolls, corn, baked beans, and mashed potatoes, as well as bottomless beverages including beer, wine, juice, soda, and water followed by macadamia nut pie. There was a variety of entertainment: history of ranching, country singing, dancing, a visit from Piggly Wiggly, lasso lessons, branding a souvenier, and making s'mores. Unfortunately, it rained the day we attended, so we missed what would have been an amazing sunset! We also missed the telescope viewing due to the rain. (That is certainly not the fault of the Ranch!) It is also about a 2 hour bus ride from Kona. At the end of the night, I was glad I had gone, even though it was a little pricey.

Iis, and well worth it! As much fun as the beach and pool are, this is a great and unique break from the sun and sand. The owner of this ranch knows how to entertain. The kids had so much fun with all of the actvities, branding (wood), learning to lasso, horseshoes, tether ball, star gazing through a telescope (we saw Jupiter and its 4 moons), petting a giant pig, a horse,, etc. For the adults... all of the afore-mentioned, plus more... the owner has so much interesting information to share about ranching on the Big Island; he is quite an entertainer. Great music by "Dave and Gladys". The food was excellent! The location was very scenic... as you go up the mountain you go from dry and barren desert to lush and green ranch setting in a couple of minutes. Mountain views are amazing. Unique activity, only to be found on the Big Island! Our entire family decided this was one of our favorite activities from both the Big Island and Kauai! We are already planning to return to the ranch during our next visit to Hawaii!

This was a lovely evening with our granddaughter who is 12. We also did this when she was 8. Got to sit on Laka the horse, brand a shingle, roast marshmallows for s, mores, lots of beer and wine to accompany a great buffet dinner. Mac nut pie for dessert!

The air conditioned bus picks you up outside of your hotel. It is a long ride, but the bus driver keeps it interesting with a history of the land and the ranch. Once you arrive, at 3500 feet, you see the breathtaking views all the way down to the ocean. The bar is open with ice cold local beer and juice, wine, and water. Dinner is served buffet style. It is a delicious ranch style dinner. The steak is big and tender. Local musicians play during dinner, then the dance floor opens. Then it’s outside for s’mores, lassoing, and branding a take home piece of wood. We were lucky enough to be there when a ranch friend brought up his telescope. We could see Saturn and Jupiter. We also saw a moon bow. ( same idea as a rainbow ). Amazing!
Miss Sue and Uncle John are excellent hosts!

The Kohala Coast is beautiful and the ranch land is spectacular. We were greeted by Sue who hosted the event and John Richards (original family) gave a history of the ranch as well as what they do now and where the cattle are shipped. Very entertaining evening with live music, good food in a beautiful location.

We booked this through our hotel, and it was a really fun adventure. We were driven to the ranch late afternoon, and beer and wine were served while dinner was prepared. Our hosts, the owners, gave us an overview of their operation and history of the ranch while the sun set. Then we were treated to a paniola dinner of their beef, chicken and a variety of salads, sides and desserts. They provided local entertainment as we ate, then the giant pet pig arrived and made friends with everyone! They had a telescope to see the stars and planets, we branded pieces of wood to take home, and had s'mores. This was really a fun, and different adventure and is worth your time and money!

Beautiful location, good food, buffet dinner with big plates (load up), roping, dancing, put it on your list for a must see and do. We drove our own car but there is a shuttle servive also.

We rode the bus from the hotel right to the ranch. Got off the bus and my wife kids and I were greeted by the owner Sue with aloha and hugs. Dressed in her cowgirl duds. She made us feel right at home immediately. Had a great meal. Learned some local history. Gorgeous sunset. Drank some beers (kids had soda). Danced like crazy. What wonderful memories.
Thank you Sue and staff.

Make your way to this ranch and you will be rewarded with a great experience. The guides are personable and energetic. The horses nice, trained and easy to ride. The wide open range gives an experience much better than the nose to tail tourist ride, as there are several times along the trail where you are free to spread out and run your horse at your own pace. A delightful experience, even high up on the mountain, where you will get misted upon by the clouds.

So, we were so excited to take our kids up for this experience. The outdoor fun was the main draw for us. Unfortunately for us it poured the entire time!!! Now obviously Kahua ranch can't control the weather. What they can do is refund everyone for not getting the full experience they paid for. The food was good yes, and the staff were friendly to us. But that was about all the good we experienced. Because we couldn't go outside our two year old had a very hard time. Being sequestered inside and unable to run and do anything made things so stressful for us as parents. After dinner I had to change my two year old's diaper, only to find that there was no changing table in the bathroom. So I ended up changing him on the bathroom floor. Towards the end, I needed to change him again, and there was no way I was doing it on the bathroom floor again! I made my way to a secluded area in the main hall where there were only a few people milling around. As I was changing him (on the floor again) I heard a few people loudly say "this is not a bathroom!" Some people..... Overall it was a poor experience and very stressful for parents with young children. Wish Kahua Ranch would make some kind of provision for rain. It was horrible sideways rain. It was impossible to do everything that we paid for. Not a good deal.

Waimea is a very unique part of the Big Island of Hawaii & to get to have dinner on a real Hawaiian ranch & really feel like a guest on a true working cow/sheep ranch with a true & unique sense of Aloha. [Parker Ranch, once the largest privately owned ranch in the U.S. does not have its Big House open nor any BBQ dinner available at this time.] The scenery on the way there is breathtaking. Views of volcanic lava flows, sharp hills, Palm trees, & the ocean mixed with cow/sheep ranch country is an entirely different view of Hawaii compared to the kitchy luau Waikiki ideal. It gets chilly at night because of its unique geographical location, so bring a jacket or a sweatshirt & wear jeans. They have heaters where they serve dinner & a campfire & are generous with the alcohol. Great entertainment & really family friendly!! Dinner is really good: mashed potatoes, salad, corn, baked beans, grilled chicken & steak--the steak is awesome, & a good mac nut pie. I loved seeing the cows, horses, & hearing the stories about the ranch here. Highly recommended!!!

This is a great down home event: open beer & wine bar, great BBQ steak & chicken buffet meal, Western music and dancing, star gazing, and interesting talk about 21st century ranching. Great event at a reasonable price.

We booked three adventures through Expedia at our Wyndham timeshare. Of the three, this was our least favorite.

For nearly $150/person, this amounted to an extremely expensive buffet dinner. Yes, the views from the ranch might have been great but during our trip it was raining for some of the time and quite cloudy during some of the time. A few breaks offered some views. The story of the ranch is interesting and the activities/demonstrations were not that engaging. Maybe for someone who has never been on a farm or ranch before, this might have more appeal.

The dinner was the highlight for us. It was good enough but certainly not spectacular. In fact, for $150/person, it's the most expensive dinner I've ever had. Steak that was grilled and very tasty but cut very thinly. The grilled chicken was moist and tasty too but it was chicken. Mashed potatoes, corn, nice basic salad, rolls... all good enough. The Macademia nut pie was OK, but tasted commercially made to me, not homemade.

Sure, there was an open bar with red, white wine, Kona brewery beer and soft drinks. But the wine was cheap, not very good wine.

The hosts were great. Very friendly and enthusiastic. The live singers during dinner were also talented and I enjoyed them.

I realize my review seems negative so let me be clear, I enjoyed the entire event, I just did not feel I got the value that I would expect for the price I paid. Roughly $300 per couple is not pocket change for me. The other tours we took, each of which cost about the same per person as the Kauna Ranch, were better values. We did the 5 hours snorkeling adventure through Sea Quest and the Twilight Volcano tour through Hawaii Forest & Travel. In particular the Twilight Volcano Tour was fantastic. A whole day adventure including lunch and dinner, departing 10am and returning 10pm.

Great buffet, good food, but our plates were swept up before anyone thought of seconds. Wine glasses were filled very frequently, there was also soda available, however, not too many choices for sugar-free beverages. Entertainment was adequate, though, the weather (rain) put a damper on the festivities.

A coach picked us up from our resort and took us to this 6,000 acre working ranch. We watched an amazing Hawaiian sunset in the cool mountain air as we sat around a fire. John came and humorously told us the workings of the ranch. There was ample time for photos and even a horse to pose with.
Dinner was buffet style, steak, bbq chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, baked beans and macadamia nut pie. Drinks were included (assorted juices, soda, coffee, beer & wine). The food was excellent. A live band played country music while we ate and some participated in line dancing. After dinner , John brought Piggly Wiggly, the ranch’s 17 year old pig to meet us. She’s the ranch mascot (all 300 lbs of her!). John then took us to the tack room where he gave a lasso demonstration and allowed the guests to try. My husband got it on the first try! After the lasso, we wandered back to the outdoor patio for s’mores and learned to brand our own piece of wood. This was a nice souvenir of our evening. The coaches took us back to our resort at the end of the evening. This is a fun event and something very different than you would expect while visiting the island.

What a beautiful place to visit! Dinner was a once through buffet, so load up when going through. The caterer does a fab job with fresh salad and trimmings, and the papaya seed dressing was exceptional. The corn was nicely seasoned and blended very well with the mashed potatoes. i was excited to see what i thought were wings mixed in with the chicken, but discovered it was sections of dark meat when i started eating. Disappointing. i asked for rare steak and was happy that it was between rare and medium. Perhaps 6 ounces of meat.

Now, eating on a cattle ranch, one would expect great steak. And this meat was very tasty. But it was also very difficult to eat due to gristle. So, if You are expecting a top notch meal, this will probably disappoint. This is cowboy dinner, complete with Macadamia Nut Pie and coffee. But if You are expecting fun evening with exceptional scenery, this will do it. Green. Verdant. Head in the clouds. Horses and an oppy to climb aboard one for photos. Incredibly dark after sunset. Clean air.

After a hearty welcome and info on ranching (they rotate the cows from area to area, much as farmers rotate crops), folks move into tables and get ready to be called to eat. Hurry in or You may not find table space. There were unannounced reserved tables that we were not a part of, so getting in towards the end of the group, we had to search for place for our group of 4.

Best news is, if You are parched, this is the place to be. Big chests full of juices, soft drinks, water that never seemed to run out. Beer and wine also at the bar. Unlimited. Beverage service was both before and during dinner, so those who drove up separately could get an early start.

A Country Western duo sang during dinner. Folks danced. We wandered out early because it was dark and part of the entertainment was looking through a telescope. Incredible stars! Looking through the scope was worth the trip all by itself. We enjoyed the gift shop, the fire, watching others make samores, Passed on the chance to try roping and branding. Left a bit early so we could stop along the road down to do more stargazing on the way back to town in the incredible darkness. Nice to get out ahead of the tour bus.

We absolutely loved our night at the ranch! The hospitality was great, the food delicious and the activities entertaining. My goal for our trip to the Big Island has been to make memories to last a lifetime with our family and this night definitely exceeded that for us! We had lots of laughs and met great people.

Thank you to John and to Sue and to all of your staff for a wonderful night. I hope to be able to return again someday.

Every time we visit the Big Island, we ALWAYS make reservations for this very special evening at Kahua before we arrive!!! It is a NOT TO BE MISSED event and we are never disappointed. The bus picks us up at the resort and we are entertained by the driver on the ride up to the ranch. Arriving at Kahua will hopefully bring John, one of the owners, out to greet us. He is such a great host and tells wonderful stories in his opening greeting. We are able to grab a drink and settle down before he starts.I learned so much about a different side of Hawaii.....cowboys.The steak and the rest of the dinner is delicious and the entertainment is for all ages. Don't miss John and this excellent evening on your trip to the Big Island!!!

We opted for a traditional style BBQ on this trip instead of a luau. We absolutely loved it. It's informative, and a great visit for children. They provide wine/beer, and a great meal. There is dancing, which the children totally took advantage of. You'll have the opportunity to meet Piggly Wiggly. There are lessons on roping and branding. Not to add, the views are magical.

Went here for a third time, this was the best because we brought twin 5 year old granddaughters. The food has always been excellent. It is served buffet or picnic style with seating at long tables, larger parties get reserved seating. There is entertainment and dancing after the meal. Transportation is provided from Kona hotels. This truly a great family evening.

To start, I would rate this experience 10 stars if I could. My family and I drove to the venue, but there is bus transportation from several locations from my understanding. The drive is stunning and I really enjoyed the transformation of the landscape from lava rock, to lush vegetation, to a tropical wild west look.

The view from the property is awesome, and though you can view a sunset from many places, I haven't seen any that compare to this.

Everyone starts off by gathering around a camp fire, while a gentleman gives an in depth history about raising cattle on the big island. Afterwards you're treated to a delicious meal. Ours consisted of salad, corn, baked beans, chicken, some of the best roast beef I've ever tasted, dinner rolls, and I believe macadamia nut pie. It was all very good. They have an open bar, and a variety of soda, juices, and water as well.

The country music was good, and after dinner, the activities included dancing, learning a simple line dance, lassoing, branding a wooden tile for a souvenir, s'mores, and stargazing, with or without a telescope. I'd recommend this activity one hundred times over. I feel a bit sorry for the 1-2 star reviewers. Fortunately, they only count a tiny percentage.

Great night out starting with bus pick up. Sue is awesome. Food is barbecue style and very good. Fun activities and live music. Loved using the branding stamp.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well planned evening from the time I stepped on the bus in Kona. The driver was very knowledgeable and personable and made our journey to the ranch very interesting. I loved every part of the evening from the open bar, delicious food, wonderful views, ranch animals including Miss Piggly Wiggly ( a highlight) star gazing through the telescope, smores, line dancing and roping instruction, wood branding souvenir and all the great ambiance. Will definitely come here again. Thanks Kahua ranch staff for a great evening!

We loved this excursion! We were originally booked on the Waipio Valley ride, but it was cancelled due to weather. We're so glad! The scenery was breathtaking, the horses synced with our riding level, and the guides were very patient and helpful.

We so enjoyed our evening here. Dinner, talks with the staff, activities for kids like branding pieces of wood and lots more. It is a beautiful setting and we learned a great deal about ranching in Hawaii.

Great dinner, lots of interesting facts about the cattle industry and a generous open bar made for a wonderful evening under the stars. Be sure you bring a light jacket as it cools quickly after the sun goes down! Live music, dancing etc.

My family attended the Evening at Kahua Ranch on Wednesday, March 29. I knew about the cattle ranches prior to visiting Hawai'i, but did not know there would be an experience quite like this available. The bus picked us up just across the street from our resort and our driver, Tommy, was informative and provided some great comic relief on our two hour drive. At the ranch, we were greeted by our host, Big John, for the evening with the Aloha hospitality that is part of island life. The Kona Brew was really good. The vistas were breathtaking and it is a fantastic photo spot at sunset and when the moon is rising. We took photos with one of the horses who was very sweet.

Dinner was excellent and if you leave hungry, it is your fault! BBQ chicken, steak, corn, baked beans, mashed potatoes, mixed green salad (get the papaya poppyseed dressing!), and hawaiian rolls. Macadamia nut pie is officially my new favorite dessert! There was also live music during and after our meal. You sit at long picnic tables, so plan to get cozy with your neighbors.

After dinner, we got to meet and feed Ms. Piggly Wiggly who was more like a lap dog than a happy pig. I got to sit down and feed her a basket of rolls while they were doing a lassoing demonstration. They served s'mores after dinner by the fire. There is a small gift shop for souvenirs. It is also a fantastic location for stargazing. Jupiter and Mars were both highly visible and the moon was bright even for a crescent moon.

I highly recommend this experience. It is great for adults and kids alike. I list that it is a family (teens) visit, but I went with my parents and sister and we are all well past our teenage years.

I had no idea that the Big Island had such a big cattle operation! Cowboys in Hawaii?Visiting the ranch was an unexpected treat during our family vacation to several of the Hawaiian Islands. My wife, son, and I loved the barbecue, entertainment, and learning about the history of ranching in the area. The tour guide lady was awesome--friendly and upbeat, and she even sang and mc'd the dancing! I wish that we could have toured the ranch--the grounds were beautiful-- but I can understand that they might not want tons of tourists interfering with the ranching operation. Maybe they also want to reduce the risk of spreading disease to the cattle? Anyway, I highly recommend this attraction if you're on the Big Island!! Lots of fun!

The staff is very friendly and do everything they can to offer a great evening, the ranch is a great place to spend the evening, the amateur astronomer was a wonderful addition to the evening, the food was delicious and plentiful, and the musical entertainment was of decent quality.

A delicious dinner and evening at the ranch was a totally unique side of Hawaii. The beautiful drive to the ranch is breathtaking. The welcome is delightful. The natural beauty of the ranch would appeal to a couples experience. We were a family, a 8mo., 4years, parents and grandparents. All of us loved the evening. Drinks before dinner, great dinner, live music and dancing, roping, branding, toasted marshmellows and campfire singing. What a great night!

If you want to experience one of the Big Island's real treasures, spend an unforgettable evening at the Ranch's Wednesday evening Sunset Dinner Buffet. The hospitality is unmatched anywhere and the food is exceptional and plentiful! The views from the Ranch's outdoor Dining Room are truly breathtaking and you feel like you're literally "on top of the world". The price might be slightly high for a family of four, but that's why you make it the highlight of your vacation to the Big Island. After all, you're dining on a 3400 ft. high mountain, surrounded by nature.

The staff make you feel like you're having dinner at an old friend's house. If you visit the Big Island and you miss dinner at the Ranch, you've cheated yourself!

Bus ride to the Dinner was an experience, we were entertained by Albert the Driver he had the greatest stories and his delivery was spot on. I will always remember the stories of the Donkeys, the Cattle, the Goats and the Chickens all owned by some guy named Feral and how Feral is not taking care of his animals. , Great talent ,Very humorous and one heck of a driver. When we got to the working ranch the views were out of this world. The entertainment while there was very good country music, we danced, we ate, we drank and had a very Cowboy Evening. The BBQ was very good all you could eat, Salad, Rolls, Mashed potatoes, corn, Chicken and the best rib steak I have ever had, it was Kobe like in taste and texture. We had Macadamia Nut pie for desert, very sweet. Afterwards we had roping Demonstrations, branding, star watching through a telescope. There were dogs , cats, pigs,horses and cows. Was a great evening, a topped off by more bus driver comedy back to our condo.

The view was wonderful. Watching the sunset while enjoying great food. Learned a lot about cattle while listening to John a great story teller.

We were picked up near our resort and taken up to the ranch at 3300 feet of elevation. After a buffet barbecue with live music and dancing you could view stars with a telescope, make somores, brand a cedar plank or just sit by the fire. Lovely evening and then bus ride back to resort with narration.

Tour to kahua ranch as part of our bus tour. Driver to the ranch was very informative and good sense of humour. At the ranch greeted by John at the ranch and given an overview and history of the ranch and operation of. Great steak dinner great service. Greeted with friendly staff. Different activities planned for the evening including line dancing roping smores and more. All in all a fun filled evening and highly recommended for a great night.

You know, I thought this would be a hokie experience, but it was just delightful. The ranch handles the time flow in the evening quite well. It starts with a quirky but cute monologue by the bus driver, Tommy, on the way there, and then cowboy John Richards gives an intro and overview of the ranch and their practices and answers questions. Then dinner - GREAT steak, great BBQ-type sides. During dinner there is surprisingly good music by John Martin and a cute interactive period with one of the ladies at the ranch who sings. They invite people up for a quick countrified electric slide lesson, and then dinner's over. At some point a gigantic pig is brought into the room and introduced to everyone. John then leads a fun lasso throwing lesson, the ranch hands assemble s'mores for your roasted marshmallows, and you get to "brand" a souvenir piece of wood with the ranch's signature "K". I was surprised that they kept us warm - it was rainy and cold up on the mountain and I hadn't packed lots of layers. They handled the timing of everything perfectly - the little demos and activities were simple, but not goofy and none of them went on very long, so you never wished you were doing something else and they always had your happy attention. When it was time to go, the night seemed too short. It was really interesting to get a sense of mountain/ranching culture on the big island, after spending much of our vacation on more coastal/water-based activities.

Wednesday evenings they have a Sunset Dinner. Bus transportation to most resorts is included.

Big John was our host and was very welcoming at the ranch. Unlimited soda, juice and wine were included in the all you can eat buffet dinner. There was live country music with dancing and line dancing. We learned how to rope calves, got to brand a piece of wood with a branding iron and make s'mores. We had a rainy evening so we were not able to utilize the telescopes.

Great family entertainment with great food!

Came here for a work function, never been so excited to experience something new on the island. The view is gorgeous, we watched the sunset while eating our buffet dinner. The dinner wasn't spectacular but it was fulfilling. Making smores was my favorite part. We also had fun branding the wood. Learning about the history of the ranch was very interesting.

Horrible! Overpriced! Food was low grade; steak was chuck, you had to dig around the bones and fat, chicken over cooked/dry and the macadamia pie you needed more than fork and knife. Piggly Wiggly out sick, no telescope, socked in by fog. The Mondavi 🍷 wine, screw on top and the Kona Big Wave foamy. I a big waste of $137+

We had the absolute best time at the ranch!!! Everything was perfect from the wonderful setting (gorgeous sunset), delicious food, and fantastic entertainment. It was the best place to celebrate my husband's birthday with family and friends. Everyone had so much fun. We all want to go back soon! Big Mahalo Sue, John and the gang. You have given us memories to last a lifetime!

My husband and I were so happy that we spent an evening at the Kahua Ranch. The hosts were so friendly and it was obvious that they love sharing information about the life they have chosen to live with others. We enjoyed our meal and the entertainment while looking out over acres of lush green pastures with grazing horses. We were treated to a full arc rainbow on the lovely drive up to the ranch and a view of Maui on the horizon when we arrived at the ranch. Macadamia nut pie for dessert, roasting marshmallows for smores and using a branding iron on a piece of wood for a lasting momento? Icing on the cake! We have no reservation in recommending that you make an Evening at Kahua Ranch a part of your Big Island visit.

It took almost two hours by bus to get from Kona to the ranch. Because of the increase in elevation, it was cool, about 45degrees. The landscape reminded me of Montana. But there was so much fog that we could not get good photos.We were greeted and directed to the bar and bathrooms.The owner's son gave a short, and humorous talk about the management and business of the ranch. I believe it was his wife who acted as hostess, MC, line dance instructor, and a person who saw that you were having a good time. Beer and wine were unlimited. ranch hands came around to make certain that your glass was full. we went to a buffet line and were greeted by large steaks, big pieces of chicken, baked beans, garlic mashed potatoes, plus more that would not fit on my plate. There was Macadamia Nut Pie delivered to our table.There was line dancing, making s'mores, branding a cedar shingle, and roping a saw-horse bull. There may have been more. But I was busy having a good time.

We loved our evening at ranch. The hospitality was engaging and the food was wonderful! The sunset views were beyond beautiful. I think this is a must do while visiting Hawaii.

I’m conflicted about how I feel concerning this event but I can only recommend it with some caveat. The food was good, the atmosphere fun, the band playing country music did a fine job, there is a small area for dancing, the tables are more than adequate and I liked that they provided reserved seating for parties of 5 or more people. A beautiful sunset can easily be seen from the porch area where the tables are located. There were several types of activities after dinner (but not enough time to fully enjoy more than one or two before the night ended); the horse, horseshoes, learning how to rope, branding, and s’more making. The people are extremely friendly and outgoing and provide good humor for all who attend.

Heed their advanced warning that it does get cold in this higher elevation and its location. As they suggest, do wear long pants, bring a jacket and don’t wear open-toed shoes (it’s a working ranch).

You can drive yourself or book the event for a bus to pick you up at the location you are staying (which is what we did). The bus driver was engaging and funny and provided a significant amount of historical detail on the ride up … he was the highlight of the evening. The bus was newer, quiet, had a bathroom, and, for the most part, had comfortable seating (some in our party felt the seating left them slouching). Two full buses arrived the night we went. The price for the event is understandable to a certain degree as it includes the bus ride, the food, and the gratuity (there are tip jars for the band and bartender) but, in the end, it is quite expensive when compared to other solid options on the island.

Now for that which needs to be closely considered. The bus ride is looooong … 2 hours one way. We left at 4 p.m. and arrived back at our location around 11 p.m. It’s no less than a 7 hour commitment, of which 4 hours is spent in the bus, when leaving from what is considered the southern end of Kona (near the Sheraton motel). Not sure I would do it again given the amount time one needs to invest. The absolute worse part was that while the ranch has decent bathrooms (not porta-potties), the toilets would not flush …. disgusting and unsanitary and waaay beyond disappointing. Of course, people coming from these types of distances to the ranch will need the facility upon arriving and the well system the bathrooms run on could not handle the load. Not sure how this isn’t a common event given the large number of people who attend this event but maybe it rarely happens.,,, I dunno. (The bus was not accessible after dropping people off; therefore, it was not an option to use its bathroom.)

Went to the Sunset Dinner here. Everone is very welcoming and hospitable. Food yummy and drinks too. Enjoyed branding the wood, watching a demo of lassoing, dancing, singing, their resident pig, and the entertainment. Only problem was my husband's prescription glasses were lost on bus or ranch and not found yet!!
All in all, an entertaining experience.