Big Island Candies of Hawaii

I want to give a salute to Big Island Candies, a company that I’d foolishly ignored because of their misleading name. Big Island Candies (BIC) isn’t just a confectionary company producing sweet candy treats. They are a high-end producer of excellent Hawaiian chocolate creations that make a visit to the eastern side of the Big Island really worthwhile.

Big Island Candies

BIC produces authentic Hawaiian treats such as dried, chewy cuttlefish dipped in delicious dark chocolate. But it also makes a Hawaiian version of the turtle (one of my favourite chocolate treats) that replaces the traditional pecans with roasted Hawaiian-grown macadamia nuts. And, wow! They use really massive macadamia nuts in this creation, along with a not-too-sweet caramel encased in milk chocolate. I don’t believe this comes in a dark chocolate version, but I wish it did.

Big Island Candies

As well, BIC makes an amazing Hawaiian red chili butter toffee coated with a rich dark chocolate that was totally addictive. And my favourite treat of all … the toffee coated chocolate covered massive macadamia nuts that are dusted in Hawaiian grown cocoa. So delectable. This was one treat I absolutely would not share.

Big Island Candies

BIC makes so much more, and everything that I was sent for review, passed my test. Pure homegrown ingredients, fresh flavour, and a creative assortment of chocolates, nuts, and cookies that are among the best I have ever tasted. And everything came in really colourful attractive packaging, and to us ladies, that’s important. Big Island Candies is not a company to be overlooked by the chocolate connoisseur. I can assure you that on my next visit to the Big Island, I will be visiting Hilo to see firsthand how they make their creations, and I hope to meet the dynamic team that has been creating them and winning numerous awards since 1977.

Have you had the pleasure of trying some of the creations from Big Island Candies? How did you like them? Have you been to Hilo? What did I miss seeing there? 

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I'm currently researching and writing volume II of "Chocolatour: A Quest for the World's Best Chocolate". Volume I was published in September, 2013.

60 Responses

  1. Doreen says:

    Exciting! We’ll be visiting Big Island Candies in October as part of our group Chocolatour to Hawaii! Details are at https://chocolatour.net/chocolatour-to-hawaii. Please join us if you can. 🙂
    Doreen recently posted…cultural highlights of WinnipegMy Profile

  2. I’d never heard of Big Island Candies but everything sounds delicious!
    kristy @ the wicked noodle recently posted…Loaded Potato Soup – Creamy Cheese, Bacon and JalapenoMy Profile

  3. Oh wow. That looks so good.
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  4. Those look really good, I wonder if they sell them somewhere on Maui. Will have to keep an eye out for them.
    A Cook Not Mad (Nat) recently posted…5 Best Lemon RecipesMy Profile

  5. I need to admit… that sounds really delicious I would love to try it.
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  6. Turtles are one of my favorite candies as well but all the candies look and sound absolutely amazing! It’s a good thing I’m reading this with my morning coffee instead of at my weakest evening hour… Stop me…!
    Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Neither Here Nor There: David And Boquete, PanamaMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Anita: Yes, isn’t it funny how our cravings seem to be stronger at certain hours of the day? My chocolate cravings are always highest mid-afternoon. The trick is to have some healthy (pure dark) chocolate on hand so that when you have a craving, you can have a small piece to satisfy that craving without guilt.
      Doreen recently posted…accepting the Versatile Blogger AwardMy Profile

  7. Darn. Somehow I missed the chocolate covered cuttlefish—–NOT! But, I did get to try the chocolate covered bacon at the Honolulu Chocolate Festival. Right now, with 2 hurricanes headed their way, I think the folks in Hilo are just hunkering down. Hopefully, they have plenty of drinking water, bread, eggs, toilet paper AND chocolate.
    Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Montecristo (and His People) Visit Brigantine and PhiladelphiaMy Profile

  8. Did you say cuttlefish dipped in chocolate? Yikes! I am a purist, I like nuts and caramel with my chocolate. No fruits. I am weird. After reading your wonderful post I will need to go look in my pantry for some chocolate, which will most certainly not compare to yours!
    Suzanne Stavert recently posted…Hello Empty Nesters from the “Coast” of IllinoisMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Suzanne: My stash of really good chocolate is light right now. Chocolate makers generally don’t like ti ship in the hot summer unless by courier, as the chocolate can melt or be compromised so quickly if the package is left out even for a few moments! But Sept and the cooler weather is coming, so hopefully, the shipments will resume and I can continue my learning by tasting experiences.
      Doreen recently posted…accepting the Versatile Blogger AwardMy Profile

  9. I absolutely love Turtles so would definitely put Big Island Candies on my list to visit. The chocolates would make great gifts for those at home too.
    Michele Peterson recently posted…Riding horseback to Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto EscondidoMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Michele: Indeed, chocolate from away always make a great gift for family and friends. Problem is …. often (when they’re this good) they don’t make it home with you. Either you’ve eaten them enroute, or hate to give them up once you get home! Cheers, and tasty travels!
      Doreen recently posted…Big Island Candies of HawaiiMy Profile

  10. Oh my! Your descriptions, your photos…I just had dinner and I am suddenly hungry!! They sound simply delectable!!

  11. I have toured Big Island Candies and fell in love. With the shortbread cookies dipped in white chocolate and milk chocolate. I order them by mail order when I get weak. I didn’t know about the macadamia nut turtles until I read your post. Oh dear, I must have some. That will fatten my next order.
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  12. Rachel says:

    I haven’t had any chocolate in about a week, and this post makes me crave it all the more. Is there any good chocolate in Jordan, I wonder…
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    • Doreen says:

      Hi Rachel: I haven’t yet done much investigating in the Middle East, as that part of the world will be in Volume III of Chocolatour, and I’m currently researching Volume II (which will feature the Americas and the Caribbean.) But if you happen to encounter any wonderful artisanal Jordanian chocolate, by all means … let me know! Cheers, and safe travels.
      Doreen recently posted…accepting the Versatile Blogger AwardMy Profile

  13. Chocolate-covered cuttlefish? Wow, these candies are unique!
    Irene S. Levine recently posted…Lunch at Barbetta on Restaurant RowMy Profile

  14. Great post about my favorite candy. What you missed? We had a blast riding on a catamaran boat after a storm. Never spilled any of our beer on that fun ride. The other “off the wall” thing that I’m not sure you would try is: talking to a homeless man. He told us his life story and I’m glad we let him. He had quite a life!
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    • Doreen says:

      Thanks for your comment, Neva. Glad you had fun on the Big Island! I do love boating, so would love to do a catamaran ride next time! and yes, I’ve heard there are some homeless people on the island. We hadn’t encountered any during our time there, but I suspect there are more over on the Hilo side as that city is more industrialized by my understanding. Believe me. We certainly have homeless unfortunate individuals here in Canada as well, and I have indeed listened to their stories. Thx for sharing – and caring.
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  15. Those chocolates just look soooo good!
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  16. alison says:

    Oh my Doreen, tasting all these chocolates. Are you an exercise fiend or just have a good metabolism. And did you try the cuttlefish? The rest sounded absolutely delicious, especially the red-chili-butter-toffee. Yum.
    alison recently posted…Healthy Summer Soups – Meatless MondayMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Alison: I admit it is a bit of a challenge to keep the weight off. 🙂 but it’s worth every pound!

      And no, they didn’t send me a sample of the cuttlefish, so I guess I’ll just have to head back to the Big Island and taste some!
      Doreen recently posted…Big Island Candies of HawaiiMy Profile

  17. Hey, Noël. Lucky you to have taken the Big Island Candies tour. With any luck, I will get over to Hilo to do that sometime soon. Aloha!
    Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…accepting the Versatile Blogger AwardMy Profile

  18. noel says:

    Big Island candies and cookies are pretty amazing and the quality of their merchandising is very well done, it’s a fun tour of the facilities and tasting areas.
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  19. Chris says:

    Wow, the Hawaiian version of the Turtle looks delicious!!!
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  20. Patti says:

    Chocolate? What’s not to love – and on the big island of Hawaii, even better!

  21. Michelle says:

    I love the Big Island and spent a whole month near Hilo in the rain forest at a nice place called “Yoga Oasis” to get my teacher certification. I would love to visit “Big Island Candies” when I finally get back there, but I may end up in the hospital due to a sugar coma. I’m not a diabetic, but sugar is my biggest weakness!
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  22. Chocolate and macadamia nuts are a match made only in heavenly Hawaii. My mouth is watering. Aloha!
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  23. Samantha says:

    This post is very bad for my waste line! I haven’t heard of this brand before but the Hawaiian dark chocolate and macadamia nut one sounds divine!

    • Doreen says:

      You’re right, Samantha! Eating chocolate mixed with caramel and nuts is not good for our waistlines. But it sure is good for our taste buds! If you stick to pure dark chocolate, it is not fattening at all, when eaten in moderation. 🙂
      Doreen recently posted…Big Island Candies of HawaiiMy Profile

  24. All of Big Island Candies treats sound wonderful. But I love Turtles. Wondering what they call their version of these delightful candies over in Hawaii?
    Susan Cooper recently posted…OZV Zinfandel: WineMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Susan: Nothing fancy or highly creative in the name of those amazing treats. You’ll see the brown box in the lower left of the pic. It just says Chocolate Macadamia Caramel Nut Clusters, but what it lacks in a creative name is more than made up in the fantastic flavour.
      Doreen recently posted…Big Island Candies of HawaiiMy Profile

  25. Cheryl says:

    Yeah, Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list. I will most definitely be partaking in the chocolate I have read about in your posts. Yum!
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  26. Catarina says:

    Big Island candies sound, and look, delicious. If I ever to to Hawaii I will definitely try out their chocolate. Amazing that so many types of chocolate are produced on the islands.
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  27. Sounds like we missed a delicious stop on our adventures. Glad you were able to research (e.g. taste test) and share this.
    Suzanne Boles recently posted…BlogMy Profile

  28. Hi Doreen,
    It’s been many years since I’ve been on the Big Island. |I have never tried their brand of assorted candies, but they do look delicious.

    What did you miss? Have you gone up in a 10-minute helicopter tour?

    P.S.
    I’m still keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers.

    Kind Regards,
    Bill
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  29. Tim says:

    Cuttlefish in chocolate. Not sure I would have come up with that combination but that wouldn’t stop me from trying it. I love the fact that you are taking your time on your travels through the Big Island.
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  30. I’ll admit it, there was drool happening as I read this post and looked at the pictures. So yummy.

  31. Toffee coated, chocolate covered macadamia nuts! Sounds wonderful.
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  32. I actually know about Big Island Candy… but that’s because my mother lived in Hawaii or over 20 years so I have been so lucky to have tasted many of their candies. Top of the line, as far as I am concerned:)
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  33. Carl says:

    Those chocolates look awesome. There must be a pineapple flavored one as well, right? Anyway, thanks for such a tasty.. I mean great post!
    Carl recently posted…Summer Petals in Yeosu, ExploringMy Profile

  34. Doreen – it seems like you’ve been in Hawaii forever! Lucky, you. I have to say my impression of Hawaii is beautiful beaches, sunshine, and macadamia nuts! I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten any chocolate from there.
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