There is no better way to understand how the Hawaii plantation economy developed, incorporated land and labor through capital expenditures, and drove Hawaii towards the multicultural society it is today that to visit the Grove Farm. And, you learn it from guides that have a depth of experience (some guides have worked at the Farm since they were teenagers) and an affection for the place that is difficult to convey---except in person. The Farm and the staff exude the deep Hawaii experience that you can't get at a tourist luau---they have their place---or in a resort. If you want to know Kauai, this is a MUST SEE.
A clear-eyed evaluation of the Farm has to acknowledge that the founders used the special hegemony and power that the United States and its citizens exercised in Hawaiian society in the mid-1800s to mid-1900s, but the Wilcox family clearly understood how that power and money came with deep obligations to educate and care-for their fellow Hawaiians, and participate in Hawaiian affairs. In many ways, Hawaii is about families and relationships, and this Farm gives a glimpse into the lives of one "prominent" family and the relationships they shared with their peers, with Hawaiian alii, with their workers, and with the people they cared-for. Don't miss it, if you are interested in having an authentic Hawaiian experience.
All the buildings and grounds have stories, and those stories have a richness not easily gained elsewhere, from the sand-painted houses to the outdoor bathtub to the wood-fired kitchen stove that cooks the cookies you eat 3/4 the way through the tour. The tour is extensive, but you end up feeling like you could stay there 2 years and still be discovering new things and hearing new stories. Don't miss it.