HANAPEPE — Chocolate and coffee are reasons enough to celebrate. The Kauai Chocolate & Coffee Festival started Friday and continues in historic Hanapepe town from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. “We’re real excited ‘cause it’s a great opportunity to
HANAPEPE — Chocolate and coffee are reasons enough to celebrate.
The Kauai Chocolate & Coffee Festival started Friday and continues in historic Hanapepe town from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
“We’re real excited ‘cause it’s a great opportunity to focus on the two great agricultural crops of Kauai,” said organizer Amy Hammond. “Coffee has been around for a long time, and cacao, which is an emerging industry. So it’s a great opportunity to feature those two things and have a lot of fun with all the tastings, too.”
The festival celebrates all things chocolate and coffee, with tastings, entertainment, informative presentations and keiki activities.
About 45 vendors are participating, with about 20 of them offering chocolate and coffee. The rest are offering local products.
“I’m really excited to be in Hanapepe doing the Chocolate & Coffee Festival, the most delicious festival ever,” said Jess Drake, selling her Jeseye Designs. “Come eat, play, drink, shop.”
Tasting passports can be purchased for $18 to guarantee samples and to receive a festive reusable tote bag.
“We are excited about the made-in-Hawaii coffee and chocolate,” said Fumi Cabebe, owner of Puahina, which is displaying Japanese kimonos and Niihau shell jewelry. “There’s a special taste, and you can taste that.”
The event is hosted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Buy Local It Matters, Hanapepe Economic Alliance and Special Events Hawaii.
There will be hula performances from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
“Our kumu has a group that she has worked with in Japan and trained,” said Nancy Forbes, who will be performing hula. “So they have come over to dance with us and be part of the fundraiser for the silent auction.”
