Cacao and caffeine brought home awards from the Hawaii Lodging &Tourism Association earlier this month, with the award for Best Heritage and Cultural Event going to the Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival.
Judith Paige, president of the Hanapepe Economic Alliance, which hosts the event, said it’s the simple combination of the two mega-favorites — chocolate and coffee — that makes the festival something special. An emphasis on artisan bars and brews also helps set it apart.
“People love chocolate and coffee,” she said. “But they also love to hear about the process, they love small batches and the specialty roasts.”
The two-day festival is typically held on a Friday and Saturday in October in Hanapepe, which prides itself on being “Kauai’s littlest big town” and boasts art galleries, the historic swinging bridge and the island’s bookstore.
It’s two days of tastings, live music, and kids’ activities that puts on display chocolate and coffee from Kauai, but also from throughout Hawaii.
The Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival sprang into existence in 2016 out of another festival hosted by Hanapepe Economic Alliance, an art and orchid festival.
The switch happened after coordinator Amy Hammond, of Oahu’s Special Events Hawaii, landed a grant to start a few chocolate and coffee festivals throughout Hawaii. She reached out and asked if the economic alliance would like to host one.
The first Chocolate and Coffee fest blew the art and orchids out of the water.
“We did the art and orchid festival for years, but the coffee and chocolate is popular,” Paige said. “Last year, we had the VIP dinner for the first time, and that was big.”
The response to the festival has been big. The dinner itself was a small affair that showcased top-quality eats with chocolate or coffee sprinkled throughout the dishes. Part dinner party, part chef’s contest, it’s something the festival will most likely showcase in years to come, Paige said.
Gearing up for the Oct. 18 and 19 festival, Paige said the HLTA accolades are a welcome honor, but festival attendance is bursting at the seams already — especially on Friday night.
Visitors and residents head to Hanapepe on Friday nights to listen to live music, check out artisan vendors, eat from the food trucks and enjoy Hanapepe’s charming street vibe.
“We have the art festival going on Friday nights in Hanapepe and we hold the (chocolate and coffee) festival at Hanapepe Park. Parking is already difficult,” Paige said.
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
