History of Kona and Its Growers

As I prepare for my trip to Kona in November, I am paying close attention to the weather in Hawaii, especially hurricanes, which may affect the crop. I have been assured by the growers in Kona that Hurricane Flossie caused no damage, and my team continues to monitor the weather closely.

My relationships with coffee growers across the world’s production regions are essential to ensuring the unsurpassed quality of Gevalia coffees. Each region’s growers contribute to that location’s coffee history, and every farm and grower plays a unique role. As we prepare for the 2007 Kona Coffee Cupping Competition, I am compelled to share the special story of the Kona growers and their crop.

In Kona, the growers have been the driving force behind the coffee crop since the first coffee tree was planted in Hawaii in 1813. Although the first tree was short-lived, the local farmers realized the potential of growing coffee in the local soil, which is richly enhanced by volcanic nutrients and minerals. By 1828, coffee seeds had been transported to the Kona coast, and the coffee trees were flourishing. The taste of the beans was unprecedented, and Kona coffee quickly gained a superior reputation that went far beyond the island. With the burgeoning crop and the powerful combination of Kona’s rich volcanic soil, determined families of farmers and ideal climate conditions, coffee acreage increased at a rapid rate and the Kona coffee industry was born.

What I enjoy even more than the story of the farmers and their commitment to producing the first Kona beans is the source of support behind Kona’s farmers. Just as the Gevalia coffee story is tied to Sweden’s royal family, the success of the Kona bean is due largely to the foresight and philanthropic efforts of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop of Hawaii, the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha the Great. The majority of Kona coffee is cultivated on land owned by the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE), a trust implemented in 1884 to fulfill Princess Bernice’s request to utilize her land to generate income solely for the Kamehameha Schools, which today is the largest independent school system in the United States. Princess Bernice’s estate trustees implemented a long-term agricultural leasehold system, whereby the Kamehameha Schools continue to flourish today and the Kona growers continue to have access to the world’s richest volcanic soil.

I love the story of Kona’s beginnings and the special role it plays in the Hawaiian community, and I am reminded of this great history every time my plane touches down in Hawaii for the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition. This year’s event is scheduled to be held November 7-8. I look forward to seeing you there.

I would also like to thank you for all of your comments and inquiries. I was recently asked how long David must train to become a Master Taster, and the answer is that most Master Tasters usually require between five and seven years of training to attain the Master Taster title. Please keep your comments coming - I look forward to your questions.