The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates its 46th year with 10 days of events getting underway today.
Recognized as the oldest food festival in Hawaii, the festival works to promote Hawaii’s unique culture and diversity and to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona’s unique coffee heritage.
Coffee first arrived in Hawaii in 1813 when Don Paulo Marin, a Spanish physician, first planted trees in Honolulu, though he had no success. In 1825-26, a small field of coffee was planted successfully in Manoa Valley on Oahu and in 1828 Rev. Samuel Ruggles brought cuttings from Oahu to Napoopoo Kona. By 1841, coffee plantations were established in Kona.
Today, there are about 650 farms cultivating coffee in Kona, with typical farms averaging 3 acres, according to the festival.
The following list highlights some events of the festival, which continues through Nov. 13. For a full listing of events, visit www.konacoffeefest.com. A festival button is required for most events, some of which have additional fees.
Adult and youth artwork celebrating Kona coffee culture comes together with an exhibit featuring 100 hand-woven lauhala hats for the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Exhibit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Saturday, Tuesday-Thursday and Nov. 11-12 at Donkey Mill Art Center.
Donkey Mill Art Center hosts a lauhala weaving workshop teaching the basics of this Kona tradition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Donkey Mill Art Center.
Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night featuring multi-cultural musical and dance performances runs 6:30-9 p.m. Friday at Aloha Theatre.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Show opening reception and awards. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Saturday at Donkey Mill Art Center.
The 18th annual Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Holualoa. More info on page 4.
Donkey Mill Art Center hosts a parent and child weaving workshop with Ann Weber from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Donkey Mill Art Center on Saturday. A parent and child paper-making workshop using Kona coffee dyed wauke will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ueshima Coffee Co. hosts its Kona Coffee Picking Experience and Coffee Games from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Kona farm. The coffee company also hosts the Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
On Sunday, amateurs, culinary students and chefs present their favorite sweet and savory recipes in KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest and Big Island Showcase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay.
Engineer, coffee farmer, master weaver and beloved kumu Ed Kaneko — the backbone of Donkey Mill Art Center’s “100 Lauhala Hats” — and Carol Zakahi will discuss the art of lauhala weaving and how it became a part of Kona coffee culture from 9-11 a.m. Sunday during the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Makiko Yamaguchi will also offer a weaving demonstration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The events will be held at the art center in Holualoa in collaboration with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Show and Sale, which is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Saturday, Tuesday-Thursday and Nov. 11-12. Both events are free. Attendees are asked to bring a potluck item to share.
Coffee-themed works of art from local quilters will be on display for the Kona Coffee Quilt Show at Quilt Passions Quilt and Needlework Shop in Kona from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Monday through Nov. 12.
An intercultural concert with Japan’s pop singer Hiromitsu Kagawa will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion. Kagawa rose to fame as champion of “Uta-O,” a competition similar to American Idol. Since winning the competition, his singing career includes more than 150 performances throughout Japan.
Wednesday marks the preliminary round of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition form 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Keauhou Shopping Center. Finals will be held 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.
On Thursday, the Kona Coffee Farmers Market Place takes over Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring farmers offering their best coffee for tasting and purchase. The market continues from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.
Also starting Thursday and continuing Friday is Kona Coffee Cultural Demonstrations and Workshops, also at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion. Local artisans will share their know-how with interactive hands-on crafts including quilting, lei making, lauhala weaving and more from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
The evening of Nov. 11, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade will take place from 6-9 p.m. ending at Hale Halawai with an evening of song and music.
From 7-7:30 p.m. that day, the West Hawaii County Band presents its “November Harvest” concert at Hale Halawai.
On Nov. 12, is the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival’s Hoolaulea at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This multi-generational, multi-cultural celebration of all things Koan coffee will feature hands-on cultural demonstrations, food, live music by Robi Kahakalau, a lei contest, poi making and more.
