Coffee growing traditions date back to the 1800s and Ka‘u coffee made its way to become an award-winning coffee, now recognized around the globe as a world-class coffee growing district.
The 14th annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival kicks off with the Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 for adults, students and keiki with cash prizes. Categories include pupu, entree and dessert. All recipes should include Ka‘u coffee as an ingredient. Entry deadline is May 27; phone (808) 928-0550 to register and for more information. The event will be held at the Ka‘u Coffee Mill.
Also on June 1 is a pa‘ina and open house at the historic Pahala Plantation House featuring music, hula and food. This event happens from 6 to 9:30 p.m. It is co-hosted by Ka‘u Coffee Growers Cooperative, Pahala Plantation Cottages and the Ka‘u Calendar newspaper. Potluck donations are accepted.
On June 5, you may tour Ka‘u Coffee Farms and see how world-class coffee is grown, harvested and processed. Meet the farmers and talk story to learn of their challenges and successes. This self-guided tour is free, taking you to various participating farms.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6, the Ka‘u mountain hike and lunch is a chance to explore the historic flume systems of the sugar cane era and the development of the hydroelectric power in the lush Wood Valley rainforest. This event, limited to 30 participants, is $60 per person and includes lunch. The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reserve your spot by calling (808) 928-0550.
“Cowboy up” for coffee and cattle day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 7 at the scenic Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Find out how descendants of Ka‘u’s first coffee farmer sustainability integrate coffee with pasture-raised cattle. Cost is $35 includes a hearty, all-you-can-eat outdoor buffet featuring local specialties. Call (808) 2252 to make reservations.
That Friday night, Ka‘u Star Gazing enables sky seekers to view the heavens through telescopes guided by professional astronomers from the fills surrounding Ka‘u Coffee Mill. Find out how stars are instrumental in the age-old Hawaiian art of wayfinding and navigation. This event starts at 5:30 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. It costs $60 to attend, which includes a tasty barbecue dinner and shuttle transportation from Ka‘u Coffee Mill. Call (808) 928-0550 if you are interested in viewing the stars.
The ho‘olaulea for the Ka‘u Coffee Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 8 at the Pahala Community Center. The event includes live music, hula, local food, crafts, keiki activities, educational displays, guided coffee tours and coffee tastings.
Foodie Bites
Avocados are delicate and need to be eaten when ripe but if you mash them up and use an ice cream scoop and place them in the freezer, they will not turn brown. After they are frozen, put them in a sealable bag. Take a frozen scoop out whenever you feel like eating avocado toast or guacamole.
Piilani Kitchen
My friend Dick Robbins called me after he had lunch at Piilani Kitchen in Pepeekeo as he was excited about a new spot, having the pastrami with kim chee panini sandwich.
My friend Joshua Ketner, who many may remember as the chef at Hilo Bay Cafe, is running Piilani Kitchen with a just three employees, and Joshua doing all the cooking. He has a space in the Onomea Country Market and Cafe located in the former Low’s Store, at the end of Kulaimano Road going down toward the ocean and on Old Mamalohoa Road. The special of the day was local tuna melt, which was fresh local ahi slow cooked in olive oil with capers, tomatoes, red onions, and mozzarella cheese on sourdough bread with a side choice of ulu mac salad or potato chips. The kim chee Reuben, Cubano, birria queso, caprese, and just cheese sandwiches were the selections on the menu for hot sandwiches. They came with house-made pickles and a choice of ulu mac salad or potato chips.
Cold sandwiches included ham and Swiss, and chicken salad. Nachos with a choice of kalua pork or birria beef is also on the menu. These are served with tortilla chips with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, lomi tomato, sour cream, onion, cilantro, lime and jalapeno. The kalua pork taco are three corn tortilla street tacos served with lomi tomato, onion and cilantro.
Driving out there for a sandwich and checking out the Onomea Country Market and Cafe is worth the drive to Pepeekeo.
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.