Experience java jumpin’ fun this June during annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival

Mark your calendar now to sip, savor and enjoy the unique coffee and regional flavor of the island’s southernmost district during the 17th annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival.

The festival that celebrates Ka‘u’s award-winning brew with a lineup of festive and tasty activities is slated for June 14-20.

Kaʻū coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards, and those accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that make the Big Island brew a favorite around the globe.

This year’s festivities highlight the deep connection between malama ʻaina and the resilience of Kaʻū’s farming families, who reinvented themselves to build a new agricultural industry from the ground up.

They protected their lands, strengthened their farms and created a world-recognized coffee during the past more than 25 years, all rooted in community and stewardship.

Festival fun features the exceptional flavor and aroma of Kaʻū coffee along with the remarkable people who grow it and amazing place where it is produced.

Some activities are free, while others have a fee. Kindly note the 2026 festival schedule is subject to change.

Sunday, June 14

• 6 to 9:30 p.m.: Paʻina and Open House at Pāhala Plantation House. Step back into Kaʻū’s history while enjoying live music, hula, house tours and a warm community atmosphere. Meet the growers and hear their stories. Complimentary dinner and coffee for attendees. Free.
• 6 to 8 p.m.: Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest at Pāhala Plantation House. Kitchen wizards of all ages are invited to enter their favorite pupu, entrée and dessert featuring Kaʻū in this competition for a chance to win cash prizes. There is no entry fee and all submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Email to events@kaucoffeemill.com or call 808-928-0550 with your name and phone number to register. Contest entry deadline is June 8. Spectators are free; post-judging of entry tastings is at the discretion of participants.
• During the week: Enjoy the scenic and historic beauty of Kaʻū. Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, Honu‘apo fishponds, the cliffs of Ka Lae — the southernmost place in the United States — and nearby Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Stay in one of the many accommodations in Kaʻū, including hotels, cottages, cabins, campgrounds and more.

Thursday, June 18

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Kaʻū Mountain Hike and Lunch. Explore the historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and lush Wood Valley rain forest. Learn how Kaʻū coffee farmers adapted this landscape to support modern hydroelectric power and sustainable agriculture. Cost is $60 per person, which includes lunch. Reservations are limited to 30 participants. Email to events@kaucoffeemill.com or call 808-928-0550 with your name and phone number reserve your spot today.

Friday, June 19

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Coffee and Cattle Day at scenic ʻAikāne Plantation Coffee Farm. Find out how descendants of Kaʻū’s first coffee farmer sustainably integrate coffee with pasture-raised beef. Walk among coffee trees and explore the varieties and processing methods employed in the Kaʻū coffee district. Cost is $35, which includes a hearty, all-you can eat outdoor buffet featuring local specialties and Kaʻū coffee-inspired dishes, entertainment and hayrides. Reserve your spot by calling 808-927-2252.

Saturday, June 20

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kaʻū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaue‘a at Pāhala Center. It’s grounds for an island-style celebration during the festival’s grand finale filled with local music, hula, broke ‘da mouth food booths, artisan crafts and keiki activities. A highlight is the free Kaʻū Coffee Experience, where a variety of Kaʻū coffees are prepared using different brewing methods by baristas. Free.

Visit the Kaʻū Coffee Festival website and follow the festival on Facebook, X and Instagram for additional information and festival updates.

It the Kaʻū Coffee Festival mission to raise awareness about Kaʻū as a world-class, coffee-growing origin.