Festival Culminates with Lessons in Boosting Coffee Quality and Profits

During the final event of our 2017 festival, the Ka'u Coffee College, our speakers focused on methods to improve quality and profits, including plans to combat the coffee berry borer and studying the science of fermentation. Ka'u coffee farmers and coffee enthusiasts learned about the effort to reduce the coffee berry borer infestation by using predator insects, species of flat bark beetles that dine on the borer.

Andrea Kawabata, an Associate Extension Agent, and Jen Burt who works on the coffee berry borers challenge, both with University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, talked about the history and positive outlook and hard work of Ka'u coffee farmers in combating the coffee berry borer.

Dr. Peter Follett, a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, talked about ways to attract the flat bark beetle to coffee orchards. He displayed packets of pheromones - odiferous attractants that can be placed in an orchard to draw the flat bark beetle to populate the coffee farms and eat the borer. The bark beetle shows no interest and does not damage the coffee crop itself, he said. There are two flat bark beetle species already living in Hawai'i, which are particularly useful in fields where there are raisins or coffee cherry that has fallen to the ground, said Follett. Rather than depending on research institutions breeding the beetles and releasing them to farmers, he said it could be more efficient to attract those that are already living on farms and in the wild to the coffee orchards.

Dr. Shawm Steinman, owner of Daylight Mind Coffee Co. and Coffea Consulting, talked about the importance of fermentation process in determining coffee quality and coffee taste. Fermentation allows "critters" to remove the mucilage (the cherry) off the coffee bean. Yeast, bacteria and fungi all love devouring the coffee cherry, which is comprised of a lot of sugar and water.  The level of yeast and the chemical changes that come along with the bacteria and fungi all help determine taste. Fermentation is faster in warmer temperatures with the "critters" moving around and multiplying much faster. Steinman said that fermentation can be achieved with adding water to the process or without adding water. He said that it is very important to only use clean water for the fermentation process.

He noted that coffee taste is subjective and coffee farmers and drinkers have particular tastes they prefer. However, using dirty water or over fermenting can lead to mould. While desired coffee tastes vary widely, coffee that tastes like spoiled milk - or other foulness - are obviously recognized as coffee gone bad. Whether the chlorine in the water at Pahala, where many people use fermentation to process coffee in backyard operations, may or may not make a difference in taste, suggested Steinman. Since Pahala farmers have produced so many award winning coffees, he pointed out, chlorine in drinking water at the level used here doesn't seem to have hurt Ka'u coffee when processing with county water.

The coffee farmers also visited Miles Mayne's coffee farm in Wood Valley for a demonstration of using the Penagos wet mill for processing coffee.

Farmers discussed the 2017 Ho'olaulea (which took place the day before) as being the most successful to date in the number of people who attended and coffee sales by Ka'u coffee farmers.

Check back later to find out when to join us for 2018!

Mahalo to our sponsors!

9th Annual Ka'u Coffee Festival Ho'olaue'a Highlights

Jamie Kailiawa (center right) danced at the Ka'u Coffee Festival Ho'olaule'a for her late husband Bull Kailiawa, one of the famous Ka'u Coffee farmers who helped build the industry. Kailiawa belongs to Debbie Ryder's Halau Hula Leionalani. Photos by Julia Neal

Mahalo to all our volunteers, sponsors and participants who helped support the festival!

The festival drew more people to our all day Ho'olaule'a and more sales of coffee than years before to make 2017 our best year yet, according to coffee farmers the community members who helped put on the event. The Ho'olaule'a, on the grounds of Pahala Community Center, featured four halau hula, ten musical groups and a karate dojo. It was emceed by Makana Kamahele, with the all-day entertainment sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust II and sound by Ka'u Productions Sound & Lighting. 'O Ka'u Kakou provided logistical support and several volunteers.

Dayday Hopkins of Farm Credit Services Hawai'i said she plans

to continue to help the Ka`u Coffee farmers with land security.

Expert baristas prepared and presented Ka'u Coffee inside Pahala Community Center as part of the annual Ka'u Coffee Experience. 2017 Miss Ka'u Coffee Queen Jami Beck and her court met the public, their pageant having opened the festival season at Ka'u Coffee Mill with the competition for Miss Ka'u Coffee, Jr. Miss Ka'u Coffee, Miss Ka'u Peaberry and Miss Ka'u Coffee Flower.

Tours to coffee farms carried visitors onto the fertile slopes of Mauna Loa where Ka'u coffee grows.

Ka'u Coffee Growers Cooperative presented its own and individual booths of its many farmers. The Palehua Cooperative and independent Ka'u coffee farmers were well represented at the outdoor venue in Pahala.

Diversified ag was also on display, from Ka'u Valley Farms' new tea plantings to the Bee Boyz, who showed off a glass-cased bee hive and bottled honey with honeycomb.

Educational displays ranged from the Alakaha Kai Trail Association, showing its efforts to preserve the Ka'u Coast and public trails, to health organizations like Ka'u Rural Health Community Association, which has its own telemedicine kiosk in Pahala.

Farm Credit Services of Hawai'i was represented by Dayday Hopkins who has worked with Ka'u coffee farmers for decades. She said she will attempt to help Ka'u coffee farmers finance the purchase of their farms, should the landowners subdivide them and put them up for sale. Hawai'i Farm Bureau, University of Hawai'i, the USDA and other providers of assistance and supplies and services to the farmers were on hand.

Photo by Jesse Tunison

Tours to coffee farms carried visitors onto the fertile slopes of Mauna Loa where Ka'u coffee grows.

Diversified agriculture was also on display, from Ka'u Valley Farms' new tea plantings to the Bee Boyz, who showed off a glassed in bee hive and bottled honey with honeycomb.

With thousands of people attending, the Ho'olaule'a also provided an opportunity for non-profit organizations to raise funds by selling food and refreshments. It was a place where artists and crafters could extend their reach and where visitors and residents alike could explore samples of what our community offers.

Big Island Video News released its coverage of the ninth annual Ka'u Coffee Festival,
highlighting volunteers Gail Kalani and Anne Fontes with the coffee cherry picking contest.
See www.bigislandvideonews.com. Photo by David Corrigan

Winning Tasty Treats For Coffee Lovers

Photo by Julia Neal

Photo by Jesse Tunison

Congratulations to our Winners!!!

Ka'u Coffee Recipe Contest drew a variety of creations on Sunday, May 21, at Ka'u Coffee Mill. Hungry observers enjoyed them, including Ka'u Coffee Festival Emcee Makana Kamahele, 2017 Junior Miss Ka'u Coffee Calaysa Koi, who served as a student judge for both adult and student divisions; 2017 Miss Ka'u Coffee Peaberry Jayzmynn Navarro; and 2017 Miss Ka'u Coffee Flower Evalynn Ornelas.

All of the first place winners received a $100 prize from the Edmund C. Olson Trust II. All Recipe Entry photos by Jesse Tunison. See all winners listed below, with corresponding images. For more details, recipes or to inquire about entering next year, please contact Nikki at (808) 928-0550 or kcm.nikki@gmail.com.

Adult Division, Pupu (appetizer)

1st - Austin Kilkenny with "Ka'u Coffee Marlin Dip"

2nd - Elgon Villanueva with "Garlic Furikake Coffee Wings"

3rd - Peggy Kilkenny with "Ka'u Coffee Tri Chicken Sushi Cake"

Adult Division, Entree

1st - Peggy Kilkenny with "Ka'u Coffee Enchiladas"

2nd - Austin Kilkenny with "Ohana Comfort Beef Stew"

3rd Elgon Villanueva with "Pefectly Perked Pahala Pork Tenderloin"

Adult Division, Dessert

1st - Peggy Kilkenny with "Velvety Ka'u Coffee Latte Cheesecake minis"

2nd - Austin Kilkenny with "Caramel Apple Macchiato Bars"

3rd - Victoria Gooderham with "Chocolate Eclairs with Coffee Cream"

Student Division, Pupu (appetizer)

1st - Tiare Wong Yuen with "Infused Ka'u Coffee Fried Wontons"

2nd - Melia Okimoto with "Sweet n' Salty Coffee Pops"

No photo available

Student Division, Entree

1st - Melia Okimoto with "Moa Kope/Ka'u Coffee Chicken"

No photo available

Student Division, Dessert

1st - Tiare Wong Yuen with "Ka'u Coffee Cup Cake"

2nd - Melia Okimoto with "Ka'u Coffee Latte Cake"

Join us at our upcoming events: Ka‘u Mountain Water Systems Hike, Ho‘olaule‘a with music and entertainment, vendors, farm and mill tours and the Ka‘u Coffee Experience and free entry, Ka'u Coffee College.

Photo by Julia Neal

Ka'u Coffee Festival Attracts Industry Experts for Festival's Annual Ka'u Coffee College

Leaders in the specialty coffee industry present a host of educational opportunities for island coffee farmers at the annual Ka‘u Coffee College 9 a.m.-pau Sunday, May 28 at the Pahala Community Center.

“This year’s college offers a number of hands-on workshops. The first is on how to breed the flat bark beetle to make the insect act as a biological control to fight the coffee berry borer,” explains long-time festival organizer Chris Manfredi. “Second is an introduction to the science of coffee fermentation and we cap it off with a workshop on how to maximize efficiency and quality of your wet mill.”

The Ka‘u Coffee College has proven to be a place of learning, sharing and networking—and has featured some of the industry’s leading professionals from around the globe. The 2017 program follows in this tradition with the theme, “Boosting Coffee Quality and Profits.”

The Ka‘u Coffee College is part of the ninth annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival through May 28.

The college opens with “Rearing and Releasing Flat Bark Beetles on Your Farm” presented by Andrea Kawabata and Jen Burt with the University of Hawai‘i CTAHR cooperative extension service. Working out of the Kona Research and Extension Center, Kawabata is an associate extension agent who provides outreach to the coffee, tropical fruit and nut industries. She has been coordinating coffee berry borer integrated pest management recommendations to statewide growers and conducts research applicable to farmers.

Also located at Kona’s Extension Center, Burt provides technical support to the Areawide Mitigation and Management for Coffee Berry Borer and Flat Bark Beetle Projects.

Dr. Peter Follett presents “Flat Bark Beetle Predators-Behavior in the Field and Next Generation Breeding Stations.” Follett, a research entomologist with Hilo’s USDA Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, studies integrated pest management, biological controls and postharvest technology in support of Hawai‘i’s tropical fruit and coffee industries.

“Understanding the Science of Fermentation,” by Dr. Shawn Steiman, delves into the science of coffee fermentation and its importance. A coffee scientist, consultant, entrepreneur and author, Steiman’s research has focused on coffee production, entomology, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, organoleptic quality and brewing.

If you’re wet-milling coffee, you won’t want to miss “Getting the Most Out of Your Wet Mill” presented by Diego Botello, which will be followed by a field visit for a hands-on demonstration of wet milling equipment. Botello is with Penagos Hermanos y Compania S.A.S., a leading manufacturer of agricultural processing equipment. Penagos wet mills are used globally—including in Ka‘u.

“This wet mill presentation affords a rare opportunity to meet first-hand with the manufacturer—to achieve the best possible results from their equipment—from an efficiency and quality perspective. Even if you’re not using Penagos equipment this is must-see event if you’re wet-milling coffee,” notes Manfredi.

Admission to the Ka‘u Coffee College is free, though donations are appreciated.

All activities at the Ka‘u Coffee Festival are open to the general public; some require a fee. Find details at www.KauCoffeeFest.com or call 808-929-9550.

Ka‘u Coffee Festival: Founded in coffee traditions hailing to the 1800s—plus the hard work of former sugar plantation workers—Ka‘u coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards. These accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that makes Ka‘u coffee a favorite across the globe. The festival’s mission is to raise awareness of Ka‘u as a world-class, coffee-growing origin.

Ka‘u Coffee Festival vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information and festival updates, visit kaucoffeefest.com, follow Ka‘u Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter, or call 808-929-9550.

2017 Pa'ina & Open House at Pahala Plantation House

Photos by Julia Neal

Our newly crowned 2017 Miss Ka'u Coffee Court began making public appearances on May 19, 2017, with the kick off party for the ninth annual Ka'u Coffee Festival at Pahala Plantation House.
The event was attended by coffee farmers, local families and visitors from places around the world including China, Canada, Russia and famous coffee growing regions, Colombia, Puerto Rico, India and Papua New Guinea. Puerto Rico and Hawai'i are the only two coffee growing regions in the U.S.

Entertaining was the Puerto Rican band El Leo, which includes state Senator Russell Ruderman whose territory includes most of the coffee farms in Ka'u. Also performing was Da Backyahd Braddahs with Ti Chun, Makana Kamahele and Sheldon Salmo.

Miss Ka'u Coffee Pageant attendees included Pageant Director Trini Marques and Miss Ka'u Coffee 2017 Jami Beck along with Jr. Miss Ka'u Coffee 2017 Calaysa Koi, Miss Ka'u Coffee Peaberry 2017 Jazmynn Navarro, Miss Ka'u Coffee Flower 2017 Evalynn Ornelas and First Ka'u Coffee Flower 2017 Lilianna Marques. 

Also attending were Miss Ka'u Coffee 2015 Maria Miranda and Miss Ka'u Coffee 2016 Rochelle Koi. 

Ka'u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba invited everyone to attend the events this week, including the Ka'u Coffee Recipe Contest, Ka'u Mountain Water Systems Hike, the all day Ho'olaulea with music, coffee tasting and buying, food and much more and Ka'u Coffee College.

Miss Ka'u Coffee 2017 and her court will appear at numerous events throughout the week and the coming year, including parades and visits to schools, farms and community gatherings.

See www.kaucoffeefest.com for more on events.

2017 And A New Miss Ka'u Coffee Queen

Photo by Pamela Taylor  

Congratulations to Jami Beck, our 2017 Miss Ka'u Coffee Queen!

Photo by Pamela Taylor

Jami Beck, an 18-year old University of Hawai‘i - Hilo student who lives in Wai‘ohinu, swept all categories at The Drying Room at Ka‘u Coffee Mill. Jami earned titles of Miss Popularity, Photogenic and Congeniality and won the Swimsuit, Evening Gown, Career Outfit and Interview trophies.

The daughter of James Beck and Ka‘u High & Elementary School Principal Sharon Beck, Jami grew up in Ka‘u and graduated from Ka‘u High School. She is seeking a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice and works for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Her win marks the second time in two years that a Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park student ranger wins the Miss Ka‘u Coffee title. Last year's winner was Michelle Koi. Jami seeks a career with the National Park Service in Interpretation, or Law Enforcement.

As Miss Ka‘u Coffee 2017, she earned a $1,500 scholarship from the Edmund C. Olson Trust and $500 scholarship from CU Hawai‘i Federal Credit Union, presented by Cheryl Marzo. Jami also received awards for her titles from Ka‘u Coffee Growers Cooperative, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Richard Creagan, and County Council member Maile David. Her community sponsors include Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, Terrie Louis, Jackie Flaherty and Greg Flaherty.

Jami’s Miss Ka‘u Coffee trophy was sponsored and presented by Ka‘u Coffee Festival organizer Chris Manfredi and his company Ka‘u Local Products. Ka‘u coffee farmers sponsored her many trophies with the Interview Trophy by Milton and Verna Dacalio, Career Outfit Trophy by Wayne and Danarie Dacalio, Talent Trophy by Melchor and Fely Fernandez, Evening Gown Trophy by Rose and Ren Tamayo, Swimsuit Trophy by Jim and Josie Oakes, Congeniality Trophy by Marlon and Aurora Biason, Photogenic Trophy by Don and Ipo Dacalio and Popularity Trophy by Lee and Nicole Segawa.

Jami won the Swimsuit competition and tied for Talent in the 2016 Miss Ka‘u Coffee competition. She represented Ka‘u in the recent Miss Teen Hawai‘i competition. She enjoys modeling and acting and will represent the Ka‘u coffee industry at numerous events over the next year.

Miss Ka‘u Coffee First Princess is Alysha Gufstafson-Savellawon who won a $950 scholarship from Ka‘u Mahi and a trophy from William and Grace Tabios.

Second Princess is Shaenese Tailon who won a $675 scholarship from Ka‘u Valley Farm and a trophy from Francis and Trinidad Marques.

Congratulations to our Junior Miss Ka'u Coffee for 2017, Calaysa Koi!

Photo by Julia Neal

Calyasa Koi, a seventh grader at Ka‘u Middle School in Pahala, is the daughter of Punalu‘u Bake Shop manager Connie Koi and recently retired Hawaii‘i Police Department officer Cory Koi. Her trophy was sponsored by Miles and Shasta Mayne.

Calaysa received a $700 scholarship from Pacific Quest. She won Talent, performing the difficult song David Guetta's Titanium made famous by both the Australian recording artist Sia and also Madilyn Bailey. Her Talent Trophy was sponsored by John and Ruby Javar. Calaysa also won the Evening Gown competition with trophy sponsored by Ann Fontes. She won Career Outfit with trophy sponsored by Berta and Jose Miranda and the Interview Trophy sponsored by Alex and Francisca Calumpit.

Her community sponsors included Ali‘i Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee, Punalu‘u Bake Shop, Southside Shaka's Restaurant, Cody Faber, Erika Polido, Kai Hauanio, Karlee Hauanio, Tiana Hanashiro and many members of the Koi and Marques families.

First Junior Miss Princess is Jaycee Umemoto with trophy sponsored by Maile and Efren Abellera. Second Princess is Cristina Kawehiwehi with trophy sponsored by Sixto Assuncion. They won scholarships from Ka‘u Local Products, Punalu‘u Bake Shop and Ka‘u Valley Farm.

Their other trophies were sponsored by Manuel and Deborah Marques.

Congratulations to our Miss Ka‘u Peaberry for 2017, Jazmynn Navarro!

Photo by Julia Neal

Jazmynn Navarro swept all but one Miss Peaberry title. She is the daughter of Johnathan and Jennifer Navarro, of Pahala and attends Pahala Elementary School. She won a $300 scholarship from Punalu‘u Bake Shop and a crown sponsored by Bong and Gloria Aquino.

She won the Miss Popularity contest, with the most community sponsors of the entire pageant. She took the Miss Photogenic trophy provided by Rick and Mimie Sambajon, Talent trophy sponsored by Joseph and Mariel Castaneda, Congeniality trophy sponsored by Lee and Nicole Segawa, and Character Outfit trophy sponsored by Pablo and Marina Mauricio.

First Miss Ka‘u coffee Peaberry is Gwendolyn McElroy, daughter of Mariss Calcano and Adam Peters, of Ocean View. She is a student of Ka‘u Learning Academy and won the Evening Gown trophy sponsored by Roberto and Maria Miranda. For her title she won a $250 scholarship from Ka‘u Valley Farm and trophy sponsored by Kurt and Anne Hall.

Second Princess is Adryana Lorenzo who received a $125 scholarship from Sen. Russell Ruderman and a trophy from Delvin and Shawnette Navarro. Third Princess is Melo Keohuloa who received a $100 scholarship from Rep. Richard Creagan and a trophy from Leonardo and Jackie Castaneda. Fourth Princess is Ava Estabilio Lazar who received a $75 scholarship from Ka‘u Mahi and Ka’u Valley Farm with a trophy from Jeffrey and Donna Gascon.

Congratulations to our Miss Ka'u Coffee Flower for 2017, Evalynn Ornelas!

Photo by Julia Neal

Evalynn Ornelas is the four year old daughter of Caitlan and Mario Ornelas of Ocean View. Her community sponsors are Aunti Donna, Julie Enriques, Michelle Beck, Kuulei Ka‘awa, Jamie Pasion, Getty Clark, Ms. Tori and Jana Kaniho. She received a $200 scholarship from Ka‘u Local Products and a trophy from Lorie Obra.

She won Miss Photogenic and Character Outfit and tied for evening gown with Liliana Marques.

First Princess is Liliana Marques who received a $150 scholarship from Maile David and Sen. Russell Ruderman and a trophy from Mely Biason.

Second Princess is Mia Lazar who won a $100 scholarship from Rep. Richard Creagan and a trophy from Edwin and Andrea Jara.

Trophies were also provided by Franklin and Annabel Orcino, John and Kathy Cross, Jack and Brenda Moses, Marcus and Felma Domingo.

Thank you to our 2017 sponsors!

Anyone wanting to volunteer for Miss Ka'u Coffee Pageant for 2018, please call Pageant Director Trini Marques at 808-928-0606 or email trinimarques@yahoo.com. To donate for scholarships, call Scholarship Chair Julia Neal at 808-928-9811 or email mahalo@aloha.net.

Join us at our upcoming events: Pa‘ina and Open House, Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest, Ka‘u Mountain Water Systems Hike, Ho‘olaule‘a with music and entertainment, vendors, farm and mill tours and the Ka‘u Coffee Experience and free entry, Ka'u Coffee College.

Photo by Julia Neal

Free Music and Hula All Day!

Enjoy free music and hula all day long as Ka‘u coffee farmers provide you the special opportunity to taste and purchase their dozens of roasts and brands during our 2017 Ho'olaule'a (Saturday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center).

2017 Entertainment Line-Up: 

Emcee Makana Kamahele

Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuaki‘eki‘eika‘iu

Hands of Time

Foggy

Halau Hula O Leonalani with Debbie Ryder

Keaiwa with Demetrius Oliverira 

Harry Evangelista and Tui Masaniai 

Hannah's Makana 'Ohana Halau with Joe Ooka 

Jean Pierre Thoma & the Jazz Tones 

Sammi Fo & Halau Kahokukauahiahionalani 

Larry Dupio Band and Back Yahd Bruddahs

Ka'u Coffee Festival Perking May 19-28

Ka‘u, Hawai‘i Island—The ninth annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival celebrates its award-winning brew with a host of events starting May 19 and continuing through the weekend of May 27-28 with a java-jumpin’ ho‘olaulea‘a on Saturday and the Ka‘u Coffee College educational series on Sunday.

Supported by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and a bevy of sponsors and volunteers, the Ka‘u Coffee Festival is designed to celebrate Ka‘u as a premium coffee growing origin and a unique visitor destination. Many events are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations. All activities feature the exceptional flavor and aroma of Ka‘u coffee and the remarkable people and special place that produces it. Kindly note the 2017 festival schedule is subject to change; check www.kaucoffeefest.com for the latest information.

Saturday, May 13 - annual Miss Ka‘u Coffee Pageant showcases the crowning of 2017 Miss Ka‘u Coffee and her court. 6 p.m. at the Ka‘u Coffee Mill. $10 admission. Contact 808-928-0606 or trinimarques@yahoo.com.

Friday, May 19 - Pa‘ina & Open House at historic Pahala Plantation House featuring music, hula, food and house tours 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Corner of Maile and Pikake in Pahala. Hosted by Pahala Plantation Cottages, Ka‘u Chamber of Commerce and The Ka‘u Calendar newspaper. Free, donations accepted for Miss Ka‘u Coffee Scholarship Fund. www.kaucoffeefest.com, www.pahalaplantationcottages.com. 808-928-9811. 

Sunday May 21 - Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest offers a free, 2 p.m. cooking competition with cash prizes at Ka‘u Coffee Mill. Entries are accepted in pupu, entree and dessert categories and all recipes are made with Ka‘u coffee. Free coffee tasting and meet Miss Ka‘u Coffee. Find contest entry info at www.kaucoffeemill.com or call Lisa at 808-928-0550.

During the week visit Ka‘u coffee farms. Enjoy the scenic and historic beauty of Ka‘u, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, Honu‘apo fishponds, the cliffs of Ka Lae—the southernmost place in the U.S.—and the nearby Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Stay in one of the many accommodations in Ka‘u. Visit www.kaucoffeefest.com for participating coffee farms and accommodations.

Wednesday, May 24 - Explore historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and development of hydroelectric power on a Ka‘u Mountain Water System Hike in the Wood Valley rainforest 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Limited to 30, $40 includes lunch. Visit www.kaucoffeemill.com or phone 808-928-0550.

Saturday, May 27 - Festival fun bubbles over with the free Ka‘u Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a—a full day of live music, hula, food booths, local crafts, keiki activities, educational displays, guided coffee tastings and farm/mill tours headquartered inside and out of the Pahala Community Center, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It’s a great place to “talk story” with Ka‘u coffee growers. The Ka‘u Coffee Experience offers Ka‘u coffees prepared using a variety of methods by professionals from 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Farm tours with shuttle transport are 9:30 and 11 a.m., plus 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m., $20. Call 808-929-9550 or visit www.kaucoffeefest.com.

Sunday, May 28 - learn about the specialty coffee industry with presentations given by notable coffee experts at the Ka‘u Coffee College at Pahala Community Center. The Ka‘u Coffee College has become known for hosting some of the most renowned industry professionals from around the globe. Free, donations appreciated. Call 808-929-9550 or www.KauCoffeeFest.com.

Founded in coffee traditions dating to the 1800s—Ka‘u coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards. These accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that makes Ka‘u coffee a favorite across the globe. The festival’s mission is to raise awareness of Ka‘u as a world-class, coffee-growing origin.

Ka‘u Coffee Festival vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information and festival updates, visit www.kaucoffeefest.com, follow Ka‘u Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter, or call 808-929-9550.