For nearly 200 years much has been celebrated, discussed and enjoyed over a cup of Kona’s world famous coffee.
Kona’s annual coffee harvest has sustained this agricultural community, and the community gathers to celebrate every November. Praised for its fine, light and memorable taste, Kona coffee once again takes center stage during the 49th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival slated for Nov. 1-10.
The award-winning festival is the oldest and one of the most successful food festivals in Hawaii. The 10-day event honors Kona’s cultural heritage and recognizes the accomplishments of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans.
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival experience is unique, enriching and ensures the story of Kona coffee’s cultural heritage continues to be shared with residents and visitors. The cultural heritage of Kona’s coffee industry is built on the multi-generational farmers, mainly of Japanese descent, along with the Native Hawaiian host culture, which had earlier ties to growing coffee in Kona. In 1828, the Rev. Samuel Ruggles brought coffee cuttings from Oahu to South Kona to see if the plants would thrive in the district’s volcanic soil.
By 1841, coffee farms were established, and the landscape and economy of Kona were forever changed.
Throughout the 10-day festival, celebrate the harvest as Kona coffee farms offer a firsthand look at growing this world-famous crop, the coffee art scene fills with inspiration and music and dance enrich cultural exchanges.
Kona coffee and food events offer tastings, and hands-on cultural events help tell the story of Kona’s rich coffee history.
A complete schedule for the festival is available at KonaCoffeeFest.com. You also can follow the festival on social media @konacoffeefest
Purchase a $5 festival admission button and enjoy more than 40 events throughout the 10 days and get special rates for ticketed events. Festival admission buttons are available for purchase at many retail and farm locations throughout the Kona area. Plus, every button purchased helps support the festival and its mission to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona’s nearly 200-year coffee heritage.
