Celebrate the unique, regional coffee grown in the island’s southern district

The 16th annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival is a celebration that invites residents and visitors to explore, savor, and enjoy the distinct coffee grown on the slopes of Kaʻū.

Founded in coffee traditions dating to the 1800s, Kaʻū coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards. These accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that makes Kaʻū coffee a favorite worldwide.

From May 25 to May 31, the 16th annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival will offer a week of activities meant to highlight Kaʻū as a premium coffee-growing origin and to acknowledge the remarkable people who produce it.

Many events are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations.

• May 25
  • Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest at 10 a.m.
    • A cooking competition for adults and children where all recipes include Kaʻū coffee with pūpū, entrée, and dessert categories for adult and student divisions
    • Attendees enjoy free coffee tastings and entertainment
    • Cash prizes are awarded at the Kaʻū Coffee Mill
  • Pāʻina & Open House from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
    • Historic Pāhala Plantation House featuring music, hula, and a free potluck
    • Free event hosted by Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative, donations accepted
• May 28
  • Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Explore the historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and the development of hydroelectric power in the lush Wood Valley rainforest
    • $85 per person, includes lunch and snacks, email events@kaucoffeemill.com
    • Reservations are limited to 30 participants; a waitlist will be available once spots are filled
• May 30
  • “Cowboy Up” for Coffee & Cattle Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Call the scenic Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm at 808-927-2252 for a spot
    • Find out how descendants of Kaʻū’s first coffee farmer sustainably integrate coffee with pasture-raised beef
    • The presentation shares Aikane’s different coffee varieties and processing methods
    • Fee includes a hearty, all-you-can-eat outdoor buffet featuring local specialties.
  • Kaʻū Star Gazing from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Enables sky seekers to view stars and planets through telescopes guided by professional astronomers from the hills surrounding Kaʻū Coffee Mill
    • Find out how stars are instrumental in the age-old Hawaiian art of wayfinding and navigation
    • $85 fee includes a barbecue supper and shuttle transport to the viewing site. Reservations are limited to 30 participants
    • Email events@kaucoffeemill.com; a waitlist will be available once spots are filled
• May 31
  • Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Festival’s grand finale featuring local musicians, hula, and children’s activities at the Pāhala Community Center
    • Vendors selling coffee, crafts, and local food will be available through the day.
  • Free Kaʻū Coffee Sensory Experience from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Variety of Kaʻū coffees are prepared using different brewing methods by professional baristas.
    • Hosted by the Big Island Coffee Roasters at the Pāhala Community Center.

Supported by a host of community sponsors and volunteers, the Kaʻū Coffee Festival is designed to celebrate Kaʻū as a premium coffee-growing origin and a unique visitor destination. While in town for the festival, visitors are encouraged to visit Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Honuʻapo fishponds, and the cliffs of Ka Lae—the southernmost place in the U.S.

For more information and festival updates, visit the event page on the Kaʻū Coffee Festival website and follow Kaʻū Coffee Festival on Facebook and Instagram.