Hawaii’s oldest food festival will celebrate it’s 50th Anniversary November 6-15, 2020...with 10 days of coffee tastings, farm tours, contests and entertainment. We look forward to seeing you there!

Schedule of Events

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, events and activities may be subject to change. Please check back for current updates.

Two tours daily during the Festival! 10AM & 2PM

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.

This exhibition, housed in a restored coffee mill, now a vibrant regional art center, showcases authentic works by local artists in various mediums exploring Kona’s coffee culture. Stop by to view the exhibition, taste some local coffee and browse handmade coffee-themed work by great artists.

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, meet a “Kona Nightingale,” and watch how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry their world-famous coffee.

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, meet a “Kona Nightingale,” and watch how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry their world-famous coffee.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade lights up Alii Drive with a glowing procession of light, music and color, culminating with a traditional Bon Dance. At 4pm Festival goers are invited to decorate Lanterns in memory of loved ones and march in the parade. Bon Dance to follow at Hale Halawai.

Come and join us for our fourth annual “shot” at the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Marathon and Half Marathon! This will be the first year that we will be adding the Marathon distance so come out and enjoy this beautiful course with us.

Run the scenic coast of Kailua-Kona down Ali’i Drive to the infamous “Pit” at the “End of the World”. Enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean as you complete your chosen distance!

Marathon starts at 5:30 a.m., Half Marathon starts at 6:00 a.m.

A Stroll through historic Holualoa Village whilst tasting 37 carefully prepared brews of 100% Kona coffee served by the farmers themselves. Local gourmet food truck vendors will all be there as well. All of the fabulous Art studios will be open to wander through and enjoy. Cast your vote for your favorite brew at the “People’s Choice Award” voting booth.

Purchasing quality coffee is the first step to brewing and enjoying the perfect cup of coffee. However, there are choices along the way that a consumer can unknowingly make thereby ruining a perfectly good cup and creating an unpleasant experience. The goal of this tasting workshop is to bring awareness to consumers of the basic methods of storing, roasting, and brewing 100% Kona Coffee.

Morning and afternoon sessions on both days; 4 sessions available total – 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Lauhala Weaving guided by Nanette Bell & Carol Zakahi

Lauhala (from the Hawaiian word “lau,” which means leaf) is traditional plaited weaving using leaves from the hala tree to create useful and decorative items such as baskets, mats, hats and jewelry.  Learn the basics of this wonderful tradition while creating coasters perfect for your coffee cup or giving as hostess gifts for the holidays out of natural, locally-harvested lauhala.

Ti Leaf Lei Making guided by Joy Kalea Omundson

Leis are traditionally given to express love, reverence, respect, congratulations and welcome.  Learn the basic method of transforming green ti leaves into beautiful, twisted lei with demonstrations and instruction from respected lei-maker and hula practitioner Joy Kalea Omundson.  Joy will also share samples of other lei, and discuss their distinct meanings. We will have materials on hand for you to try this ancient craft for yourself, and take home a lei of your own making.

‘Ohe Kāpala: Traditional Bamboo Stamping guided by George Place

Experiment with authentic ‘ohe kāpala, Hawaiian stamps traditionally used to create intricate repetitive designs on kapa.  One stamp can produce hundreds of different designs on paper or cloth (paper will be provided for the purposes of this workshop), playing on both positive and negative space. The stamps also can be combined to create more complex narrative designs.  All tools and supplies will be provided, and students may keep their finished stampings.

Papermaking with Wauke Fiber guided by Gerald Lucena

Join us during the Kona Coffee Festival to experience papermaking with Gerald Lucena and friends. Participants will learn about wauke (Hawaiian mulberry) and the Japanese method of fine art paper making. Each participant will create one 4”x6” sheet and bookmark to take home. Made possible by KCCF.

Purchasing quality coffee is the first step to brewing and enjoying the perfect cup of coffee. However, there are choices along the way that a consumer can unknowingly make thereby ruining a perfectly good cup and creating an unpleasant experience. The goal of this tasting workshop is to bring awareness to consumers of the basic methods of storing, roasting, and brewing 100% Kona Coffee.

Morning and afternoon sessions on both days; 4 sessions available total – 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

An official preliminary pageant for the Miss Hawaii and Miss America Scholarship Competition. Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 25. Candidates will compete in interview, onstage question, evening gown, talent, and social impact statement. The winner goes on to represent Kona at Miss Hawaii.

Purchasing quality coffee is the first step to brewing and enjoying the perfect cup of coffee. However, there are choices along the way that a consumer can unknowingly make thereby ruining a perfectly good cup and creating an unpleasant experience. The goal of this tasting workshop is to bring awareness to consumers of the basic methods of storing, roasting, and brewing 100% Kona Coffee.

Morning and afternoon sessions on both days; 4 sessions available total – 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

A unique recipe contest spotlighting the use of Kona coffee. This competition is open to Professionals, Culinary Students, Amateurs and Keiki, who aspire to compete with their prized original Kona Coffee recipes for the coveted top prizes in two categories, sweet and savory.

2 Farm tours available, meet at the farm kiosk:

Tour this majestic coffee farm, try your hand at picking ripe coffee cherry and witness how the harvest transforms to coffee in your cup. As a special bonus, take home a 2 oz. bag of fresh roasted 100% Kona Coffee.

Purchasing quality coffee is the first step to brewing and enjoying the perfect cup of coffee. However, there are choices along the way that a consumer can unknowingly make thereby ruining a perfectly good cup and creating an unpleasant experience. The goal of this tasting workshop is to bring awareness to consumers of the basic methods of storing, roasting, and brewing 100% Kona Coffee.

Morning and afternoon sessions on both days; 4 sessions available total – 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Kona’s premier youth pageant featuring the youngest of our Hawai’i Island young ladies ages 4-16 who will vie for the crowns learning from a “stage” of opportunities to help groom confidence, poise and self-development.

Mini Miss – 4-6

Little Miss – 7-9

Young Miss – 10-12

Teen Miss – 13-16

Sponsored by UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. and Kamehameha Schools 
Produced by Pacific Coffee Research
Judges cup their way through over 75 Kona coffee farm entries.

Coffee-themed works of art from local quilters on display express exceptional interpretations of Kona’s coffee heritage. Cast your vote for Viewer’s Choice awards.

Training will be conducted by seasoned coffee educators, trainers and professionals both local and abroad. They will guide a robust coffee education experience in manual brewing techniques, espresso techniques, milk steaming, and latte art. The Competition will be a chance to take those skills and apply them in a fun, high energy environment.

Pacific Coffee Research, in collaboration with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, present the 3rd annual barista competition. Designed to bring our barista community together in a friendly, competitive and education experience.

These two women are coffee culture lovers!  Seed to cup is constant, tedious, hard work. Come learn about collaborating on ideas for quality improvement, cupping classes, experimental processing methods, and more.

Network with Hawaii’s coffee industry as they celebrate the harvest and announce the cupping results. Live and silent auctions. Dinner $65.00 with a Festival button.

Purchase tickets here: https://hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/event-3593017

Performance by Kaze No Ne (Electric Organists and Singers). Okonomiyaki and other Japanese snack and garnishment items.

Coffee expert discussion with a focus on Kona’s coffee industry.

This concert is twofold – One is to celebrate Makahiki with the authentic original Hula and the second is to entertain the audience by traditional Hawaiian Musicians from Honolulu and Ni’ihau. Delicious food and soft drinks will be available for purchase during the concert.

Kona’s talented folks take the stage with spirited multi-cultural musical and dance performances throughout the evening.

A day-long celebration of Kona Coffee and its cultural heritage:

Cultural Demonstrations – Hands-on crafts including flower and ti leaf lei making, lauhala weaving, pan roasting coffee, poi pounding, ohe kapala (bamboo stamping), and more. The Kona Hongwanji Saga Soryu group will display a number of ikebana arrangements.

Entertainment – Entertainment throughout the day with multi-cultural performances honoring Kona’s multi-heritage coffee history. Hawaiian, Samoan, Japanese, Filipino, and Korean groups will be on stage.

Food Booths and Trucks – Variety of ethnic foods

Kona Coffee – Kona farmers will be on hand with freshly brewed coffee available for taste and purchase.

Arts and Crafts – Shop for unique made-in Hawaii products and gifts that showcase local Hawaii artists.

Historical and Educational Displays – A replica of a coffee hoshidana, a traditional method of drying Kona coffee, along with a history of Kona coffee will be showcased. Educational displays and information on the Kona coffee industry will be presented by the University of Hawaii.

This year, Kona Historical Society celebrates two decades of museum programs that bring Kona’s history to life. Event features entertainment, food, cultural presentations, special exhibits and hands-on activities. Park and catch the free shuttle at Kealakekua Ranch Center.

Bowl and celebrate with your favorite “Little Miss” contestant while raising much-needed scholarships. Bowling prize giveaways and pageant award recognitions. $10 per bowler, 6 per team limit, shoes not included.

Two reserved time slots
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For lane reservations or team, registration, visit KBXtreme Front Desk or email [email protected].

An evening of culinary delights featuring local Island Chefs and a fabulous silent auction. Music and dancing under the stars with award-winning Kahulanui- a nine piece Hawaiian Swing Band from the Big Island of Hawaii. Certified cupping judges have spent three days scoring Kona’s top farms in the prestigious Kona Coffee Cupping Competition and will be on-hand to discuss results.

Tickets are $50 general and $80 VIP (includes table seating) and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com and search The Grand Finale…A Taste of Kona!

And, come meet the winners from the Kona Coffee cupping contest and the Kona Coffee recipe contest.

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