Hawai‘i Island’s Greenwell Farms Earns Best Agritourism Award

Greenwell Farms in Kealakekua on the Big Island was named “Best Agriculture Tourism Destination” in the agritourism category at the 2018 aio Media Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Awards ceremony held recently in Honolulu.

The 2018 aio Media Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Awards publicly recognize and reward excellence within the industry; reinforce the value of the tourism industry; reinforce consumer confidence in the tourism industry; and promote an annual platform of celebration for the industry and offer networking opportunities for operators, supporters and sponsors.

The Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association together with aio Media recognized the outstanding achievements of tourism operators across the state of Hawaii. Honorees from 14 categories including restaurants, events, music, culture and heritage and agritourism were recognized for their outstanding achievements behind the scenes of the state’s top industry.

“We are so honored to be recognized for our team’s efforts in creating a farm experience that educates and engages visitors with the many aspects of Greenwell Farms’ 150-year history,” said Greenwell Farms President Tom Greenwell. “Our great team here on the farm is committed to sharing Kona’s coffee heritage and to keep Greenwell Farms as a top-of-mind Kona coffee farm experience for visitors and kamaaina. This prestigious award celebrates all of our team’s hard work and dedication.”

Greenwell Farms began in 1850 when Henry Nicholas Greenwell left England and first set foot on the fertile soil of rural Kona. Henry spent the next 40 years farming, ranching and perfecting his Kona coffee, soon exporting it to Europe and the Americas. In 1873, the president of the Kaiser’s Exposition in Vienna, Austria awarded the Greenwell’s a “Recognition Diploma” for their Kona coffee at the World’s Fair.

The family tradition continues today, over 150 years later, with fourth-generation farmers Tom and Jennifer Greenwell and their team, who work to maintain the tradition of high quality Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms.

Free tours of its coffee farm and processing facilities highlighting the century old Arabica coffee trees and the various tasks involved in hand-picking and processing of the coffee cherry are available every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tours culminate at the Greenwell Farms Store where visitors can sample various roasts and Kona coffee products are available.

Accolades and Awards

• Selected as one of the 10Best Food Factory Tours in the nation according to readers of USA Today.
• Greenwell Farms featured on Wheel of Fortune Hawaii; PBS’ Coffee, The Drink that Changed America
• Hawaii Coffee Association
• 2016 Top State of Hawaii Award in the Creative Division for its
• Signature Series Elizabeth J, a Pacamara varietal.