The Ka‘u Coffee Festival will celebrate its award-winning brew with a host of events that kick off May 2 and culminate the weekend of May 10-11 with a ho‘olaule‘a Saturday and coffee “college” Sunday.
The Ka‘u Coffee Festival will celebrate its award-winning brew with a host of events that kick off May 2 and culminate the weekend of May 10-11 with a ho‘olaule‘a Saturday and coffee “college” Sunday.
Serving as an economic stimulus for the rural Ka‘u region, the festival is supported by the county Department of Research &Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority and state Department of Agriculture.
Here’s the schedule:
• Friday, May 2: 5:30-9 p.m., Pa‘ina Open House at historic Pahala Plantation House with Ka‘u Chamber of Commerce to kick off 10 days of activities for the festival with music, hula with Halau Hula O Leionalani, food and house tours. Donations accepted for Miss Ka‘u Coffee Scholarship Fund. At the corner of Maile and Pikake in Pahala. Hosted by Pahala Plantation Cottages, Ka‘u Chamber of Commerce and The Ka‘u Calendar newspaper.
• Saturday, May 3: Fourth-annual Ka‘u Farmers’ Table at Kalaekilohana Inn and Retreat features locally sourced fine dining, premium live entertainment, and was sold out three years running. Advance-only tickets are $75 at www.kau-hawaii.com.
• Sunday, May 4: The Triple C Recipe offers competition in cookies, candies and crackers at noon, all made with provided Ka‘u coffee. Attendance and coffee tasting are free; find contest entry info at kaucoffeemill.com.
Also May 4, doors open 6 p.m. for the annual Miss Ka‘u Coffee Pageant at Ka‘u Coffee Mill.
• During the week, visit Ka‘u coffee farms. Enjoy the scenic and historic beauty of Ka‘u, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, Honu‘apo fishponds, the cliffs of Ka Lae — the southernmost place in the U.S., and the nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Stay in one of the many accommodations in Ka‘u.
• Wednesday, May 7: Explore flume systems of the sugar cane era and development of hydroelectric power on a Ka‘u Mountain Water System hike in the Wood Valley rainforest, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $40 includes lunch. Limited to 30. To reserve your spot, visit www.kaucoffeemill.com or call 928-0550.
For more information about these events and the festival, visit www.kaucoffeefest.com.