10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a: A Festival Celebrating Ka‘u Coffee

Join us, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, May 5, for our main event, Ka‘u Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, and this years we celebrate it's 10th anniversary!
     Supported by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and a host of community 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. Our festival features the exceptional flavor and aroma of Ka‘u coffee and the remarkable people and special place that produces it.
     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.
     During our Ho‘olaule‘a, we offer free entry to all. A full day of live music, hula, local food and crafts, keiki activities, and educational displays. Tour the many vendor booths, "talk story," with Ka‘u coffee growers and get to know the community. From 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., enjoy free guided coffee tastings with a large selection of Ka‘u coffees prepared using a variety of methods by professional baristas. Coffee farm tours with shuttle transport from festival are available, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for $20 per person.
     Our 2018 Entertainment Line-Up for the Ho‘olaule‘a, with Ho‘aikāne headlining, includes: Emcee Makana Kamahele, Hands of Time, Hannah's Makana ‘Ohana Halau with Joe Ooka, Shootz, Halau Hula O Leonalani with Debbie Ryder, Keaiwa & Demetrius, El Leo, The Jarican Express, The Lucky Lizard Band, Back Yahd Boyz and Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter.

Interested in Hosting A Booth At Our Main Event?

     Those interested in becoming vendors for the 2018 Ho‘olaule‘a are welcome to sign-up until Friday, April 27.
     Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. Campaign and other political displays are not invited. Fifty percent discounts are provided to bona fide non-profit organizations and cooperatives and their members. In addition to Kaʻu Coffee Festival fees, each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata at 933-0918.

     In addition, vendors must obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth during the Hoʻolaulea.

     Vendor and display booths are the responsibility of sponsors who provide their own tents, up to 10'x10', as well as tables, chairs, signs, and all other equipment. Hot food must be served under metal roofs that Kaʻu Coffee Festival provides. There is no electricity available. Generators are allowed.

     Set up before 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, day of Hoʻolaule‘a, and be ready to serve the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No smoking, drugs, alcohol, propaganda, political speech, or activism allowed.

     Kaʻu Coffee Festival is a Green Event. All vendors are encouraged to use biodegradable products whenever possible.

     Deadline to apply is Friday, April 27, 2018. First come, first served. Find application at kaucoffeefestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208, Pahala, HI 96777, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

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

For a list of our other 2018 events, see our website at kaucoffeefestival.com.