SCAE’s Hawai’i origin visit brings coffee growing on the Big Island to life

13th November 2009

A group of SCAE members had an in-depth and on-site course in Hawaiian coffees at the end of October, tour leader and SCAE Past President Colin Smith reports.

Our well prepared guide, coffee consultant Andrew Hetzel of Cafemakers, arranged for us to visit a whole range of coffee farms around the Big Island of Hawai’i, and our trip took us to three main regions: Kona, Ka’u and Hilo.

We were grateful as well to have the expert assistance of Dr Shawn Steiman (agronomist & author of The Hawai’i Coffee Book), who accompanied us for the week-long visit.

Throughout our time in Hawai’i, we were always met by members of the coffee community keen to know about the European coffee scene and also to give us helpful information on their farming and processing operations. Many of the farms also had their own coffee shops and retail brands that were available in the tourist areas, and we tasted a large range of exceptional coffees.

Our first day was spent in an interesting visit to the mill operated by Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative, which was also a major sponsor of the trip.

The next day we were entertained in Ka’u, in the south of the island, with a tasting session, a tour of a number of farms, and an excellent lunch, and we thank the Ka’u Coffee Growers Cooperative for its sponsorship as well.

The third day was spent in the famous Kona region itself, visiting growers including sponsor Hula Daddy, UCC Hawai’i, and Mountain Thunder Coffee (another sponsor we would like to thank).

We then went on to Sun Island Coffee and Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee, and the day ended with a reception hosted by the Hawaiian Coffee Association and the Kona Coffee Council.

Our longest trip took us to the other side of the island, for an interesting visit to the Hilo Coffee Mill and its adjacent farm, with a side trip to the island’s spectacular active volcano, Kilauea.

Our last day in the Kona region included a visit to the Kona Coffee and Tea Company and their beautiful and extensive farm, before we discovered some of the island’s culture at the historical Honaunau Place of Refuge National Park.

The SCAE is very grateful to all of our sponsors, and to the many people who helped to make our week in Hawai’i a truly memorable and educational experience. — Colin Smith

A fully illustrated and comprehensive report of the Hawaii origin visit will appear in the next issue of Café Europa, and on this website, where a gallery of images from the trip will also be available shortly.