NUKOLII — More than 100 representatives of the Hawaii Coffee Association gathered to listen and experience the latest developments in the coffee industry. Presented by the Hawaii Coffee Association and hosted by the Kauai Coffe Company, delegates converged at the
NUKOLII — More than 100 representatives of the Hawaii Coffee Association gathered to listen and experience the latest developments in the coffee industry.
Presented by the Hawaii Coffee Association and hosted by the Kauai Coffe Company, delegates converged at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort for a series of seminars, workshops and the 5th annual Statewide Coffee Cupping Competition.
Workshops reflected all facets of the coffee industry from growing, processing and packaging, roasting, and vending, reflecting the diverse field of the Hawaii Coffee Association membership, which Jim Wayman described as an umbrella of the coffee industry in Hawaii.
“We have more than a hundred delegates from around the state,” said Wayman, president of the Hawaii Coffee Association, and representative to Lion (Coffee) and Royal Kona Coffee.
Formed in 1995, the Hawaii Coffee Association was formed to educate, increase awareness, promote research, and promote consumption of Hawaiian coffees.
The year 2013 through 2014 is the 200th anniversary of coffee cultivation in Hawaii, states the HCA website.
Don Francisco de Paula y Marin noted in his journal of Jan. 21, 1813, the planting of coffee seedlings on Oahu.
Although not much is known about the fate of those plants, this date is the first evidence of coffee being introduced to the Hawaiian Islands.
Since then, there are hundreds of farmers growing coffee on all the islands resulting in extremely high quality coffee being found throughout the state.
“I can’t be sure, but I think there are about 700 growers in Kona alone,” said John McClure of Moloaa Bay Coffee who was discussing equipment with Emmerich Grosch of the Capt. Cook Trading Co. “We buy some equipment from Emmerich, but his claim to fame is how much macadamia nuts, from the finest powder to whole nuts, he distributes.”
Although the workshops are limited to Conference delegates, the public is welcome to browse the trade exhibits, which are limited to primarily services, equipment of the trade, and packaging.
The conference closes today with delegates being treated to a tour of the Kauai Coffee Company fields and processing facility.
Info: www.hawaiicoffeeassociation.com
