Dr. Gunars Valkir, CEO Maui Ku’ia Estate Cacao Farm and Chocolate

A great talk with Chief dreamer and visionary Dr. Gunars Valkirs heads up the company. A full-time Maui resident and retired biotech entrepreneur, Gunars started a cacao farm with the goal of making great chocolate. As the operation grew, he knew he wanted to tie it into the philanthropy that is so central to life for him and his wife JoRene. Plans for the farm, the factory and the company evolved—and MKEC’s Chocolate Kuleana took shape right along with it, creating a remarkable and admirable business model. As CEO, Gunars is responsible for overall leadership, strategic vision and financial vitality of MKEC.

The Maui Ku'ia Estate Cacao Farm and Chocolate Factory are located in Lahaina, overlooking Maui's western shoreline. Our ability to both grow cacao and control factory production gives us a unique influence over the quality of our chocolate! We want to share a little bit about what our process is like with you through these virtual tours of our farm and factory.

 

https://mauichocolate.com/