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The Rising Sun Farm of Ka’u again reached the pinnacle of the specialty coffee world by earning the 2010 Coffee of the Year award in the Hawaii-USA category at the prestigious Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Roasters Guild international cupping competition at the SCAA’s 22^nd annual expo.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Ka’u coffees have earned international acclaim in the prestigious competition and the second time Rising Sun has earned a top spot. Competing against 134 exceptional coffees assembled from such legendary coffee origins as Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru, the Rising Sun earned an impressive 87.563 score. After an initial vetting round, the 134 entries were winnowed down to 74 coffees scoring 84 or better. Ten of the 74 finalists were chosen from Hawaii and were among 18 entries collected from across the state. Six of the ten Hawaiian finalists are from Ka’u farms.

The seven-acre farm, operated by Will & Grace Tabios of Naalehu is located at 1900’ elevation on lands mauka of the town of Pahala where the family cultivates Guatemalan Typica, and Bourbon varietals. Will & Grace's winning coffee was produced by the labor-intensive ‘pulped natural’ method which produces pleasantly sweet, bright, citrus and floral flavors. The steady evolution of Ka’u’s coffee quality has been influenced in part by consultant Miguel Meza.

Among other fine Ka’u coffees whose final scores were 84 or better are Castaneda Coffee Farm (85.35), R & G Farms (84.9), and Rusty’s Hawaiian (84.75). Other Ka’u farmers who entered the competition and are on hand to promote Ka’u coffees are Efren Abellera of Kehua’s Coffee Farm, and “Bull” Kailiawa. Kailiawa Coffee Farm scored an impressive 7^th in the 2009 Coffee of the Year competition. These entries into the SCAA competition are sponsored by Ka’u Farm and Ranch Company, LLC, the management entity of the lands on which the award-winning Ka’u coffee farms are located.

Award-winning Ka’u estate coffees will be available for tasting and purchase at the second annual Ka’u Coffee Festival happening on May 1-2 in the plantation heritage town of Pahala. Events will include Ka’u Coffee ho'olaulea (admission is free) with coffee tasting, entertainment, food, education, arts and crafts, Ka’u Coffee Recipe Contest, farm tours, and Ka'u Coffee College, a series of educational workshops focused on coffee farming, roasting, cupping and processing. For event information & schedule, visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com, call (808) 929-9550 or email info@kaucoffeefestival.com.

Rising Sun coffee is available at Alan Wong’s famous King Street restaurant in Honolulu, Will and Grace’s own variety store in Naalehu or by calling 808-557-4441.

Coffee cupping is a combination of art and science where coffees are evaluated and scored based on subtle characteristics including, flavor, aroma, ‘mouth-feel’, acidity, sweetness and aftertaste. Participating coffees are cupped blind by a panel of highly qualified experts.

The SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association dedicated to supporting a vibrant specialty coffee community. They recognize, develop and promote specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. Celebrating 28 years of success, the strength of the organization is reflective of members who represent more than forty countries and every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. Visit www.scaa.org

For more information, contact: Chris Manfredi (808) 929-9550 cmanfredi@kaufarmandranch.com

The gang from Ka'u celebrates: Coffee of the Year winner Willie Tabios of The Rising Sun, Lorie Obra of Rusty's Hawaiian; Chris Manfredi of Ka'u Farm & Ranch; Miguel Meza, coffee consultant, and Efren Abellera of Kehau's Coffee Farm. Lorie is the president of the Ka'u Coffee Growers Coopeartive. Efren is the Vice President. Please join us the the 2010 Festival!!

Wille Tabios and "Bull" Kailiawa of Kailiawa's Coffee Farm share a hug at the SCAA Coffee of the year lounge

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Ulu Makuakane Wins Miss Ka‘ū Coffee 2010

Alesha 'Ulu' Makuakane played water polo in the morning and won Miss Ka‘ū Coffee in the evening. On Saturday, March 27, the Ka‘ū High School senior woke up, traveled to Hilo to captain her team as water polo goalie against Kamehameha Schools, and zoomed back to Pāhala to the pageant. She touched everyone by expressing her goal of helping native Hawaiians to improve health through good nutrition and fitness. Pageant Judge Nona Wilson, Director of Nursing at Ka‘ū Hospital, said that Ulu and her infectious smile are "from the heart." Veteran Hawaiian entertainer and Judge Sammi Fo said, "Ulu's hula brought tears to my eyes."

Ulu also won both the Talent and the Interview trophies. During the interview, she talked about the future of Ka‘ū Coffee. She praised the hard work of the displaced sugar workers who have created a world-class coffee and industry for themselves since the Pāhala sugar mill closed in 1996. She is a member of the Boys & Girls Club.

Ulu is 17 and the daughter of Pāhala Community Center manager Winona Makuakane, and Paul Makuakane. The family lives in Wai‘ohinu. Ulu plans to attend college and major in health and human nutrition. "Obesity has become a major issue for Hawaiians, and I want to help these people lower these statistics so they can live healthy and active lifestyles," she said.

Ulu said she loves Ka‘ū "because it is an undeveloped district with agriculture and pristine beaches. As a native Hawaiian, it is my duty to perpetuate the area for future generations to enjoy."

Makuakane's first public appearance since winning Miss Ka‘ū Coffee will be dancing at the islandwide Youth Awards Banquet for the Boys & Girls Club on Monday, March 28 at Hilo Yacht Club. She and her court will represent Ka‘ū Coffee in the Merrie Monarch Parade on Saturday, April 8 and reign over the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho`olaulea on Saturday, May 1 on the grounds of the Pāhala Community Center.

Miss Ka‘ū Coffee First Princess is Brandy Kayumi Haunani Shibuya, 21, of Na`alehu, daughter of Police Officer Dane Shibuya and Pāhala Boys & Girls Club director Terry-Lee Shibuya. Brandy won the gown and swimsuit competition. Second Princess is Eunice Nika Longakit, 15, of Pāhala, daughter of veteran sugar union leader Franco and Alejandrea Longakit.

Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Peaberry Queen is Karlee Kaliyah Kealaikamaile Fukunaga-Camba, 8, of Pāhala, daughter of Keala and Justine Camba. First Princess is Melia Kate Tabilin Okimoto, 8, of Pāhala, daughter of Sheilah and Malcom Okimoto. Second Princess is Kailee Kuhaulua-Stacy, 8, of Pāhala, daughter of Cheyenne Kaluahine and Sheldon L. Salmo.

The pageant was organized by the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Committee and the Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Cooperative. Miss Ka‘ū Coffee earned a $1000 scholarship from the Edmund C. Olson Trust. Pageant Chair Gloria Camba, herself a coffee farmer and teacher at Pāhala Elementary School, said “it is wonderful that the entire community is coming out to support our coffee industry as it is important to the future of Ka‘ū.”

Click here for 2010 Miss Ka'u Coffee pageant program

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KA'U COFFEE FESTIVAL HEATS UP MAY 1 & 2

Ka'u, Hawai'i's Big Island (March 11, 2010) - The second annual Ka'u Coffee Festival invites everyone to head south to taste and celebrate Ka'u's coveted crop over May Day Weekend, May 1 & 2. Most events are free, and will be held at the Pahala Community Center. Pahala Village is ideally located between Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.

The fertile soil and temperate climate of the Ka'u District produce exceptional coffee beans, and Ka'u coffees - relatively new on the specialty coffee scene - have consistently placed among the top dozen of the finest coffees in the world at the Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA) Roaster's Guild International Coffee of the Year Competition. Ka'u has entered several farms in the 2010 competition, held Apr. 15-18 in Anaheim, CA. Ka'u coffees have been drawing the attention of some of the top names in the specialty coffee world since placing 6th and 9th in this esteemed competition in 2007.

Ka'u coffee is making a buzz not just at the SCAA competitions, but among coffee connoisseurs and with top chefs, including renowned Chef Alan Wong, who currently offers coffee from five different Ka'u farms at his restaurant, Alan Wong's Honolulu. In January 2009, Ka'u Coffee was served at President Barack Obama's Inaugural Gala, held at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"Last year was such a blast, we're doing it again!" said Chris Manfredi, an event organizer and manager of Ka'u Farm & Ranch Company. "We are eager to share our distinctly sweet, aromatic and complex coffee in its birthplace - the beautiful Ka'u District on Hawai'i's Big Island."

"Ka'u has earned its place among the top coffee growing origins in the world. It's a testament to the passion, dedication and tenacity of Ka'u farmers," he said.

On Sat., May 1, events start at 9 a.m. and last until 5 p.m., including a ho'olaule'a (celebration) with food, Hawaiian music, hula, vendors, Ka'u Coffee tastings, a Ka'u Coffee recipe contest, farm tours, and appearances by Miss Ka'u Coffee and Miss Peaberry, who will be crowned after a competition on Mar. 27.

On Sun., May 2, sign up for the Ka'u Coffee College, free for Ka'u coffee farmers and $25 for the public. Meet the farmers (currently, Ka'u has nearly 50 coffee farms growing on approximately 400 acres), tour the farms and learn more about the art and science of coffee growing and processing. The new Ka'u Coffee Mill will also be open for tours. Visit the festival website for tour schedules and more details.

Attendees can plan a fun weekend getaway in Ka'u, one of the most historically significant areas in all of Hawai'i. A selection of accommodations ranging from luxury inns to affordable B&Bs and cottages, restaurants featuring local products, and lots of outdoor adventure await travelers.

For more information, visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com or contact info@kaucoffeefestival.com. Sponsor and vendor opportunities are available.

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Ka’u Coffee Ranks Seventh in SCAA's Prestigious International Cupping Competition

Atlanta, Georgia (April 19, 2009) - Kailiawa Coffee Farm in Ka’u on the Hawai’i Island continued the winning streak for Ka’u coffee by placing seventh in the prestigious international finals of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) 2009 Roaster’s Guild Coffee of the Year Cupping Competition held April 17-19, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Vying against the finest coffees from such legendary coffee origins as Ethiopia, Columbia, and Panama, the seventh place finish is another victory for the small farmers of Ka’u and the third consecutive year that a Ka’u estate coffee has made the SCAA finals. In 2007 Will & Grace Farm/Rising Sun placed sixth and Aroma Farm placed ninth; in 2008, Ka’u Forest took 11th place.

Kailiawa Coffee Farm is operated by Thomas “Bull” & Jaime Kailiawa with the help of nephew Lyndon “Baba” Kailiawa-George, a ninth grader at Kaʻu High School. Two other Ka’u estate coffees made the semi-finals of the SCAA cupping competition: R&G Farms (Ka’u Royal) run by Rogelio Aquino and Gloria Camba, and Will & Grace/Rising Sun Farm, run by William & Grace Tabios. The Ka’u coffee farmer’s entries into the SCAA competition was sponsored by Ka’u Farm and Ranch Company, LLC, the management firm for the lands on which the Ka’u coffee farms are located.

Renowned chef Alan Wong, an early and strong supporter of Ka’u coffees, features all of the internationally recognized Ka’u coffees at his flagship Alan Wong’s Restaurant on King Street in Honolulu. Ka'u coffee is also served at Josiah Citrin's Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica (a Michelin two star awardee) and Merriman's Maui.

Ka’u Coffee Festival

All of Ka’u coffee’s award-winning estate coffees will also be available for tasting and purchase at the first annual Ka’u Coffee Festival happening this weekend, April 24-26, 2009, in the plantation heritage town of Pahala. Events will include Miss Ka'u Coffee Pageant, Ka'u Coffee Ho'olaulea (admission is free) with coffee tasting, entertainment, food, educational exhibits, games for the keiki, Ka'u Coffee Recipe Contest, Ka'u Coffee Song Contest, farm tours, and Ka'u Coffee College, a day-long series of workshops on coffee farming and processing. For event information & schedule, visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com call (808) 929-9550 or email info@kaucoffeefestival.com

About the SCAA

The SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association dedicated to creating a vibrant specialty coffee community. Its mission is to recognize, develop and promote specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. Celebrating 27 years of success, the strength of the organization is reflective of the members who represent more than forty countries and every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. Visit www.scaa.org

4/14/09 Three Ka'u coffees make it to the SCAA Coffee of the Year 2009 semi-final round. The semi-finals and finals will be held at the SCAA annual conference in Atlanta April 15-18. The three coffees that made the cut were: R&G Farms/Ka'u Royal, Kailiawa Coffee Farm & Will & Grace Farm/Rising Sun.

Imbibe Magazine
March/April 2009

Ka‘u, Hawaii

Kona may get all the

attention , but farmers on the other

side of the mountain are starting to make a name for

Ka‘u coffee. “It is the ideal Hawaiian terroir,” says Kenneth Davids

of coffeereview.com. “The soil’s deeper, the exposure’s better.

Ka‘u is a region to watch, that’s for sure.” To celebrate their

growing fame, the Ka‘u farmers and surrounding community

are staging the first Ka‘u Coffee Festival April 24–26, complete

with traditional food and dance, coffee cuppings and tours of

coffee farms. kaucoffeefest.com

Ka`u Coffee of Hawai`i

Featured at Inaugural Gala in Washington D.C.

1/12/09

Ka’u, Hawai’i-

Although Ka`u on Hawai`i Island is a long way from Washington, D.C., it is well represented in festivities celebrating the historic Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. Ka`u Coffee farmers have hand-picked and roasted their award-winning coffee for the Hawai`i for Obama Inaugural Gala, to be held Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Hay-Adams Hotel, where Barack Obama and his family have been staying leading up to their move into The White House.

Leo Norberte, president of the Ka`u Coffee Grower’s Cooperative, said the farmers are happy to gift the coffee as a thank you to the honorary chairs of the ball. The chairs include Hawai`i Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka, as well as Representatives Neil Abercrombie and Mazie K. Hirono, whose funding in education and infrastructure has helped the Ka`u Coffee farmers in their transition from displaced sugar workers to independent coffee farmers.

Most of the farmers lost their jobs when the sugar industry shut down in Ka’u in 1996 and have worked hard since then to sustain small, family coffee farms.

Ka`u farmers have learned to carefully cultivate coffee in the rich volcanic soils of their small family farms located on former sugar lands. They hand-pick, process in small batches and sun-dry the coffee on the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano in the southernmost district of the United States. The Ka`u Coffee growing region is located near the villages of Pahala and Na`alehu and is surrounded by Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Ka’u’s legendary pristine coastline.

From this majestic place in Ka`u, coffee has emerged to catch the attention of leading specialty coffee professionals, holding its own in international coffee competition.

Hawai`i is the only state in the union that produces coffee, and “our coffee from Ka`u is a truly American fine coffee that measures up to the best in the world,” Norberte said. The Ka`u Coffee destined to serve the 200 attendees at the Inaugural Gala is being air-shipped to Washington, D.C. courtesy of Eric Tanouye of Greenpoint Nurseries of Hilo, who is providing tropical flowers for the gala.

Norberte said the farmers hope that the Ka`u Coffee will warm the hearts and energize those attending the ball at the Hay-Adams as they dance to the music of John Cruz, a popular Hawaiian recording artist and Grammy and Hoku Hanohano Award winner who is also making the trip from Hawai`i to the Inauguration festivities.

The gifting of the Ka`u Coffee is supported by the Ka`u Coffee Grower’s Cooperative, The Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee, Ka`u Farm & Ranch Co., LLC, Ka`u Farm Bureau, Pahala Plantation Cottages and the Edmund C. Olson Trust II. Coffee roasting was donated by Miguel Meza and Lorie Obra of Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee.

See more on Ka`u Coffee and the upcoming Ka`u Coffee Festival at www.kaucoffeefestival.com. Contact Michelle Galimba at 808-430-4927or mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com.