The Kona Coffee Council is an organization of Hawai’i farmers, processors and retailers who grow, process and sell the World’s Best coffee! In this case over 175 years of development. Particularly to legally be labeled Kona, the coffee beans must be grown only in the North or South Kona districts. Located on the west side of Hawai’i Island (the Big Island). These heritage trees thrive in the unique combination of sunshine, rainfall, location, and volcanic soil . In fact this combination is only available in Kona, Hawaii. The combination of these unique elements create our award-winning coffees.
The main objective of the Kona Coffee Council is to protect the interests of the Kona Coffee industry.
History of coffee in Kona is as rich as its taste! With an area of over 4,028 square miles, the island of Hawaii, also known as “The Big Island”, is home to a beautiful region in the west known as the Kona District. The Kona District is home to many different and wonderful attractions, including the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park, the world-famous Ironman World Championship, the rugged “Gold Coast” with some amazing beaches, sea-turtle habitats, and Kona coffee farms.
Coffee isn’t native to Hawaii — it was brought to Kona by Samuel Reverend Ruggles in 1828. He brought arabica cuttings from Brazil to see how well it would take to the Big Island’s climate.
As it turned out, Kona’s daily cycle of morning sunshine, afternoon cloud cover and rich volcanic soil was perfect for the coffee plants. Consequently coffee established itself as a major crop in Hawaii by the end of the 1800s.
A crash in the price of coffee in the late 1890s led to today’s system of independent family farms. The plantations which had been producing most of the coffee beans were forced to sell their land. As a result the workers bought or leased the land. Generations later, many of these plantation worker descendants are still farming Kona coffee on the same land.
Harvesting and Processing – little change throughout history.
Harvesting (picking) and then processing coffee is a tradition in Kona that you’ll see typically from August to January. Farmers and hired pickers collect the red coffee berries. These berries contain the coffee beans. Then they pulp the fruit. Also known as “wet milling”. Separating the inner bean from the skin or outer layer. The sun, breeze and consistent raking dries the parchment beans. With the exception of some machinery this is the same system used for generations. Then after dry milling the green beans are roasted, bagged and sent around the world. And finally, into your coffee cup.
The History of the World’s Best Coffee: Hawaiian Coffee
Hawaiian coffee has a rich history of coffee production, though it is a relative newcomer to the coffee industry. Mark Twain said Kona coffee has a richer flavor than any other.
Captain James Cook, the English explorer, became the first European to discover Hawaii islands on January 18, 1778. Cook was a captain in the Royal Navy, as well as navigator, explorer, and cartographer. Captain Cook’s created detailed maps of Canadian island Newfoundland. Moreover, he went on three trips to the Pacific Ocean, discovered the eastern coastline of Australia and Hawaii. Captain Cook also traveled around New Zealand.
How Did Cook Discover Hawaii?
Captain James Cook was sailing past the island of Oahu with his crew. Then he came across the eastern coastline of Hawaiian Islands. After two days of sailing, Cook landed at the island of Kauai. Captain Cook also came up with the name for the island group he discovered. Cook called Hawaii the Sandwich Islands in honor of one of his patrons, the earl of Sandwich.
What Did Captain Cook Discover before He Came to Hawaii?
Before he discovered Hawaii, Captain James Cook was a lieutenant on a Royal Navy ship Endeavor. It was back in 1768. Together with his crew, Cook was mapping the course of planet Venus. Traveling for the following three years, Cook has explored New Zealand and Australia. Furthermore, he went with his crew around the globe.
Captain Cook’s Landing in Hawaii
Hawaiians welcomed Cook and his crew. They found the captain’s ships and Europeans’ use of iron intriguing. Englishmen began trading with Hawaiians. Captain Cook and his crew traded metal and iron nails. Consequently, they managed to maintain provisions on the ship. However, neither Cook nor his crew stayed in Kauai for long. After leaving the place, the explorers continued north. They wanted to find the end of the northwestern passage between North Atlantic and Pacific oceans. After one more year of sailing, Cook’s ships returned to Hawaii and docked in the safety of Kealakekua Bay.
Relationship Between Hawaiians and Englishmen
Hawaiian arts and crafts
Captain’s ships landed in Hawaii for the second time. Englishmen believed that the local population associates their arrival with some religious symbolism. Cook and his crew arrived at the time of the Makahiki festival. The Makahiki was dedicated to the Hawaiian god of fertility, Lono. Locals saw it as a sign and welcomed and treated them as gods. Englishmen shamelessly abused the hospitality of Hawaiians. However, when one of the crew members passed away, locals realized they were people just like them. This changed the relationships between the two. In the beginning of 1779, Cook wanted to return to England, but one of his ships were damaged during the storm and they had to return to Hawaii.
When Englishmen came back, the Makahiki had ended and nobody was happy to see them. Hawaiians threw rocks at them and stole an item from their ship. While Cook tried to negotiate with the Hawaiian King to return the item, the King was murdered. Locals gathered and attacked Cook and his crew. Many men were killed, including Captain Cook. Once Englishmen went back to the ship, they fired cannons at the locals, killing some of them. Eventually, the ships returned to England.
The discovery of Hawaii by Captain James Cook is an important event in history. However, the discovery was tainted because of how Englishmen tried to exploit Hawaiians.
The word Kona exists in many languages across the world. Additionally, the translations from different languages vary. Also translations from Hawaiian are different depending on the source. By combining several translations from Hawaiian, we can relate the meaning of the name Kona to Kona Coffee.
Kona Winds
Definition:southwesterlywinterwindinHawaii,oftenstrongandbringingrain. Trade winds are the typical winds in Hawaii. Trade winds are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds usually blowing in Hawaii. When the wind changes and becomes southwesterly, these are known as the “Kona Winds”.
Kona District
Kailua-Kona: Visiting ships, Kailua Bay and Kailua Pier.
Kona is the name of the sunny district on Hawaii Island, with its largest town Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii derives from the meaning of Kailua. Kailua means “two seas”. Kailua Bay is where two currents meet. Furthermore one of the translations of the word Kona has given the name to this district. It signifies “dry side of the island” or “leeward”. The district takes up an expansive area of the island. It stretches from Manuka Park (Kau) to the south of Anaehoomalu Bay (Waikoloa Beach Resort).
Kona’s district has rich history. You can join walking tours to observe its landmarks. One of the historical events you might know about Kona includes the final years spent by King Kamehameha in Kailua-Kona. In addition, many know about the arrival and eventually death of Captain James Cook in Kealakekua Bay. There are also two large national historic parks, Honaunau and Kaloko-Honokohau. There you can explore the beautiful nature and historic landmarks of the district.
Kona Coffee
Kona Coffee is the gem of Kona District and ordinarily it received its name. This type of coffee has a great advantage over other types of coffee you can find across the world. Its advantages come from the unique location and environment, especially rich volcanic soil of Mauna Loa and Hualalai Mountains.
To learn more about the past and the present of Kona Coffee, you can read about coffee farming in Kona District, Hawaii. Moreover, you can view the images of Kona Coffee trees, flowers (“Kona Snow”) and cherries.
Kona Fun – Baby Names
The name Kona is used as a baby name for both girls and boys in Hawaii. One of the translations of the word signifies “lady”. This makes it a beautiful name for a baby girl. Moreover, the name also means “origin, popularity, and the world rule”. This translation makes it an attractive name for baby boys, too. Ordinarily, Kona seems to be a popular name for Hawaiian children.
Meanings Combined in Kona Coffee
Kona Coffee blossoms aka “Kona Snow”
Kona Coffee Flowers – “Kona Snow”You may ask, “How can I relate these meanings to kona coffee?” Let’s start with the beginning. Kona coffee received its name after the district where farmers are growing it, located on the “dry side” of the Big Island of Hawaii. But, how is Kona coffee “a lady”? Take a look at the beautiful coffee flowers called “Kona Snow”. They look very gentle and fragile, so Kona Coffee blooms very lady-like. In addition, Kona Coffee’s popularity is growing and it might very well be called the best coffee in the world because of its environmental and processing advantages over many other types of coffee. All things considered, Kona Coffee means a lot of good things, and you shouldn’t wait to order your 100% pure Kona Coffee, especially with FREE shipping options!
The Kona Coffee Festival recognizes the achievements of Kona’s coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans. This award-winning coffee fest is recognized as the oldest and most successful food festival in Hawaii. The festival starts Friday, November 3 and runs through Sunday, November 12, 2017. The festival includes 10 days of events honoring Kona coffees cultural heritage.
Festival Events include:
A Lantern Parade. Historic Kailua Village. Nov 3, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Watch as the lantern parade winds its way through Historic Kailua Village with its glowing procession of light, music and color. And finally culminating with an evening bon dance at Hale Halawai.
The Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll. In historic Holualoa Village. Nov 4 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Stroll through the art district of quaint Holualoa Village. While strolling visit galleries exhibiting an extensive collection of local artists. Also over 30 Kona coffee farms join the festivities offering tastings and products for purchase.
The Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant.Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa – Kaleiopapa Convention Center. Nov 4 – 5:30 pm. The Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant is hosted by the Kona Coffee Fest each November. A big mahalo to the scholarship sponsor – Ueshima Coffee Company, Ltd.
The newly crowned winner will also travel to Japan to promote Kona, it’s special coffee and the industry.
The Kona Coffee Recipe Contest & Big Island Showcase.Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa – Kaleiopapa Convention Center. Nov 5 – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Big Island Showcase opens at 10 a.m. Featuring Hawaii Island products, gifts, and opportunities to buy farmer-direct Kona coffee. Also amateurs, culinary students and professional chefs present their favorite sweet and savory recipes . All featuring 100% Kona Coffee. Keiki (children) showcase sweet or savory snacks. Recipe contest doors open at 11 a.m.
Kona Coffee Cultural Fest Ho’olaule’a. Makaeo County Pavilion. Nov 11 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. A celebration of all things Kona coffee.
Ho’olaule’a vents include:
Hands-on cultural demonstrations.
An ethnic food market.
The Festival of Arts & Crafts.
Additionally, all-day live entertainment.
Enjoy the beautiful lei contest. Participate in traditional Hawaiian poi making, ikebana and traditional Japanese calligraphy. Also visit the heritage display. Indeed, all day fun for the entire ohana (family).
Kona Coffee Council Farm & Mill Tour. Leaves from Keauhou Shopping Center.Nov 7 and 10th – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. You will visit three working coffee farms in Kona. The fee of $75 includes your transportation and a box lunch. Pick up and drop off located in front of Regal Keauhou Stadium 7 Theatres in the Keauhou Shopping Center. Reservations required; book online at www.kona-coffee-council.com.
Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour – November 3-10, 2017. Daily at 2:00 pm. $10 with festival button (available for purchase on site). Stroll through this historic farm on a self-guided tour that reveals the story of Kona’s coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. Walk among the coffee trees and meet a “Kona Nightingale”. Also discover how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry Kona’s world-famous coffee.
The Kona Coffee Council is an organization of Hawai’i farmers, processors and retailers who grow, process and sell the World’s Best coffee! In this case over 175 years of development. Particularly to legally be labeled Kona, the coffee beans must be grown only in the North or South Kona districts. Located on the west side of Hawai’i Island (the Big Island). These heritage trees thrive in the unique combination of sunshine, rainfall, location, and volcanic soil . In fact this combination is only available in Kona, Hawaii. The combination of these unique elements create our award-winning coffees.
Kona Coffee is the gem of Kona District and ordinarily it received its name. This type of coffee has a great advantage over other types of coffee you can find across the world. Its advantages come from the unique location and environment, especially rich volcanic soil of Mauna Loa and Hualalai Mountains.
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