Celebrate a Cup of Joe and More. . .

The Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is on Now!

From roastings to tastings, artwork, and music, this week is all about world acclaimed Kona Coffee!

Kona Coffee cherry – red, ripe and ready to pick!

Charming Holualoa Town is the heart of the Kona Coffee growing district on Hawaii Island. The traditional method of roasting this king of beans is demonstrated during the colorful and tasty Kona Coffee Stroll each year.

One of many educational, fun and delicious events hosted annually on Hawaii Island is the much anticipated Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Held each November during the coffee harvest, this year the 10-day event runs from November 3 to November 12 with a variety of activities for the entire family, including coffee farm tours, picking demonstrations, culinary delights, and workshops on the history of this king of beans — now sought by coffee aficionados worldwide.

On-going since 1970, the Festival is committed to preserving, perpetuating and promoting Kona’s nearly 200-year coffee heritage and honoring its pioneers, farmers, artisans and, of course, the coffee! Not surprisingly, this iconic event is recognized as among the oldest and most successful food festivals in the islands.

Keiki (children) get a chance to try their hand at picking prized Kona Coffee during the 10-day festival.

 The first coffee was planted in Kona by missionary Samuel Ruggles in about 1828 and nearly immediately it was a perfect match — Kona’s rich volcanic soil, hard-working family farmers and perfect climatic conditions combined to create this in-demand brew.

Today, hundreds of small private and commercial farms are scattered throughout the Kona District on Hawaii Island’s West Coast at elevations of 2000 or so feet. You’ll find expansive coffee orchards complete with tasting rooms and tours, to exclusive gated estates with a handful of beautifully manicured acres.

Weekend festival highlights include:

The Kona Coffee Council Farm & Mill Tour on Friday, November 10. Departs Keauhou Shopping Center at 9 am and returns at 2 pm. Visit three working coffee farms in North and South Kona; includes transportation and box lunch, $75. Details and reservations: kona-coffee-council.com.

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Exhibit at Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa Friday, November 10 to Sunday, November 12 at 4 pm. Artwork created by adults and children celebrating Kona coffee culture will be on display at this restored coffee mill, now a vibrant regional art center providing art education and experiences to people of all ages and abilities. For details and directions: donkeymillartcenter.org.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is supported as a Signature Festival by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). For complete details and a schedule of events log-on to konacoffeefest.com.

More Information

For information on purchasing Kona Coffee property or additional Hawaii Island real estate opportunities, please contact Carrie Nicholson, R (B), BIC, Director of HL1-Big Island, (808) 896-9749 or carrie@HL1.com.