52nd Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Nov. 3-12, 2023
Hawaiʻi’s Oldest Food Festival
Since its inception in 1970, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival organization has sought to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona’s unique nearly 200-year coffee heritage. The Festival and the local community embrace visitors and residents by sharing the unique history and culture of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans throughout the 10-days that celebrate the Kona coffee lifestyle.
Festival Events
Multi-Day Events
KONA COFFEE LIVING HISTORY FARM TOUR
Kona Historical Society
82-6199 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook
Stroll through this award-winning, historic farm that tells the story of Kona’s coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. A self-guided experience, you’re free to walk among the coffee trees, meet a “Kona Nightingale”, or watch how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry their world-famous coffee. Visit the original 1920’s farmhouse where you may find the homemaker starting the fire to cook rice or making musubi for the farmer’s lunch.
$15 with festival button, $10 for Hawai’i residents with festival button, $5 for children 7-17 and children under 7 are free, tickets available for purchase on-site.
GREENWELL FARMS – SEED TO CUP FARM TOUR
Greenwell Farms
81-6581 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua
A fascinating journey into the history, the farming, the processing and tasting of 100% pure Kona coffee! Participants will leave with a new and enlightened view of Kona’s most famous product. Tour starts at Greenwell Farms Gift Shop. Hats, sunglasses & portable water is suggested. Walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tour is free with a festival button.
UCC Hawaii Kona Coffee Picking & Farm Experience
One tour daily, meet at the farm’s retail shop:
75-5568 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa
Store opens 9:00 am, tour starts at 10:00 am
Try your hand at picking ripe coffee cherry and witness how the harvest transforms to coffee in your cup. Tour is free with a festival button.
Hala Tree Coffee: Transparency in Kona Coffee Farming
Hala Tree Coffee
82-5966 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain-Cook
Join us for this special tour honoring the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The tour focuses on the newfound CLR-Coffee Leaf Rust and its impacted on farming practices. We will share our solutions moving forward while maintaining the prized Kona Coffee standards. Tour is $5 with a festival button.
Buddha’s Cup: Tasting Coffee Like Fine Wine
Buddha’s Cup
78-1377 Bishop Rd., Holualoa
For the true coffee enthusiasts, Buddha’s Cup is pleased to present the Coffee Flight. Much like a wine tasting with the vintner or sommelier, knowledgeable baristas will guide you through a carefully curated gastric tour of our award-winning specialty coffees. Tour is free with a festival button.
Island Sun Coffee: Farming Kona Coffee with Diversified Crops
Island Sun Coffee
78-6759 Makenawai St, Kailua Kona
Enjoy a farm & mill tour with Kona Coffee and diversified crops including cacao, mangos and avocados. For parties of 5 or more, please call 808-322-6575 to make a reservation for a golf cart tour. Tour is free with a festival button.
KONA COFFEE QUILT SHOW
Quilt Passions
75-5706 Kuakini Hwy., Suite 112, Kailua-Kona
Coffee and island themed quilts from local quilters.
“The ‘Āina Speaks” Exhibition
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa
This exhibition, juried by artist Boots Lupenui, features portraits which capture the stories, lives and knowledge of farmers and those who work intimately with the land.
Visitors can vote to nominate their favorite artwork for the People’s Choice Award. Entry is free with a festival button available for purchase on-site.
Kona Coffee Cultural Magazine
Sponsors
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is made possible through the support of Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program. The generous sponsorship of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., LTD. Kamehameha Schools, Alaska Airlines, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union and numerous other corporate and community donors.
