The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates its 47th year with 10 days of events getting underway Friday.
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. 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. 12. For a full listing of events, including farm tours, visit www.konacoffeefest.com. A festival button is required for most events, some of which have additional fees.
Daily
• Adult and youth artwork celebrating Kona coffee culture will be on display for the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Exhibit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Nov. 9-11 at Donkey Mill Art Center.
• “The Kona Coffee Story: Along the Hawaii Belt Road,” an exhibit exploring Kona coffee’s early days, is on display 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at H.N. Greenwell Store Museum Friday through Nov. 10 and through Jan. 18.
• “Elevation: Arts from the Coffeeland,” an exhibit exploring the fine craftmanship and artistic beauty emerging from Kona’s coffeeland, is on display 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at H.N. Greenwell Store Museum during the festival through Nov. 10. An opening reception is 6 p.m. Monday at Kona Historical Society’s headquarters in Kealakekua. A final reception and awards presentation is slated 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
• 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 Kailua-Kona from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Monday through Nov. 11.
• Kona Historical Society presents Kona coffee history exhibits from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Makaeo Events Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park. Elements from the exhibit, “The Kona Coffee Story: Along the Hawaii Belt Road” will be on display. A hoshidana (drying platform) and kuriba (mill) will be on display.
This weekend
• The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday in Kailua Village, ending at Hale Halawai with an evening of song and music.
• The 19th annual Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Holualoa.
• 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.
• Hands-on Hawaiian crafts and activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Donkey Mill Art Center. Cost is $5.
• Ueshima Coffee Co. hosts the Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
• 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.
• Akinori Imai tells the story behind his still life photos that capture first generation Japanese coffee farmers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Donkey Mill Art Center.
Wednesday
• The preliminary round of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Daylight Mind Coffee Co. on Alii Drive. Finals will be held 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
• Donkey Mill Art Center hosts a lauhala weaving workshop teaching the basics of this Kona tradition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Donkey Mill Art Center.
• Later is the Kona Coffee, Beer, Wine and Coffee Pairing event from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kona Coffee and Tea Company on Palani Road. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling (808) 365-5340.
Thursday, Nov. 9
• An intercultural concert featuring enka-style folk songs by Japanese singer Uwasa no Kyotaro will be held from 5-8 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake, will be prepared and served during the concert.
• Daylight Mind Bakery in Lanihau Center hosts the Kona Coffee Latte Art Throwdown showcasing local baristas from 6-8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10
• The Kona Coffee Farmers Market Place takes over Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion from 9 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 Saturday.
• Also starting Friday and continuing Saturday is the 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.
• Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night featuring multi-cultural musical and dance performances runs 6:30-9 p.m. at Aloha Theatre.
Saturday, Nov. 11
• 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 Kona coffee will feature hands-on cultural demonstrations, food, live music, a lei contest and more.
• Kona Coffee 101 seminar takes place from 4-5 p.m. at the pavilion featuring a coffee expert discussion on the Kona coffee industry.
• Later, the Aloha Makahiki Concert runs 5:30-8 p.m. in the pavilion. There will be a makahiki blessing by Kumu Hula Mika Kaele-Goto with Halau Keale from Kona and Japan. There will also be Hawaiian traditional slack key music and hula.
Sunday, Nov. 12
• The festival closes with the Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Fundraising Bowling Party from 5-8 p.m. at KBXtreme in Kailua-Kona. The event features three hours of unlimited cosmic bowling. For lane reservations and team registration, visit KBXtreme or download an entry form at www.konacoffeefest.com.
Info: Visit www.konacoffeefest.com
