On Oahu, you can see how that rum for your mai tai is made

That mai tai you’re drinking on a Hawaiian beach? You can make it even more authentic and see where rum comes — at least, on Oahu — on a new factory tour.

Manulele Distillers, in Kunia Camp about 25 miles northwest of Waikiki, recently began offering 30-minute tours of the grounds and distillery from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

After the tour, visitors head to the tasting room to sample the three Ko Hana rums produced in this rural community.

Manulele, which made its first rum last year, uses ancient varieties of heirloom ko, the Hawaiian word for cane.

Polynesian explorers who arrived in outrigger canoes nearly 1,000 years ago introduced the crop to the islands. By contrast, the sugar for which Hawaii was once famous was made from hybrids grown in vast quantities.

All of the Manulele rum is made from fresh juice pressed from hand-harvested cane, said co-founder Jason Brand. Much of the world’s rum is made from molasses, a byproduct of industrial sugar, he said.

Tours cost $15. Reservations, which are recommended, can be made by calling (808) 649-0830.

Bottles of rum are also available for purchase. Kea, the company’s signature white rum, sells for $30. Dark rums Koho ($45) and Koa ($75) are aged in oak barrels.

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