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| Up to 190 Starbucks in Canada, the U.S. mainland and Japan are serving Ka`u Coffee by the cup and selling by through November, the coffee coming from 40 farmers through Chris Manfredi's Ka`u Local Products, Inc.. |
UP TO 190 STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOPS with Clover brewing machines on the mainland, Canada and Japan will feature Ka`u Coffee through mid-November. Under the Starbucks Reserve program, Ka`u Coffee is selling at some Starbucks for $3.95 for a tall cup, $4.15 for a grande cup and $25 for an eight-ounce bag of whole beans. The coffee comes from Ka`u Local Products, Inc. Its president, Chris Manfredi, purchased the coffee from farmers on 280 acres owned by a company represented in Ka`u by Manfredi.
According to a Stephen’s Media report this morning, Manfredi said he bought the beans from 40 different farmers.A Starbucks blog, according to Stephens Media, describes the Ka`u Coffee: “We were smitten instantly with this lovely little coffee and lucky enough to buy five tiny micro lots. With all of this attention it won’t be long until everyone will have Ka`u on their lips! The discovery of this little gem is replete with flavors that scream tropical paradise,” states the Starbucks blogger. Said Manfredi, "We are pleased to see that customers are discovering the fresh coconut flavors with sweet caramel and citrus notes that are distinct characteristics of the Ka`u cup. This is another important step on Ka`u's journey to establish itself as a premium coffee growing origin."
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| Chris Manfredi |
Manfredi said recently that he expects to see expansion of coffee growing on the 2,000 acres owned by the investors he represents. The company recently received county permission to subdivide the land as a Project Unit Development. Manfredi said they plan to develop an agricultural community. Many of the Ka`u Coffee growers have their farms on this land, and Manfredi said they will receive first option on buying the land where they farm.
Manfredi has been involved in marketing Ka`u Coffee at the Specialty Coffee Association of America, where local farmers have won international tasting awards, and representing Ka`u Coffee as president of the Ka`u Farm Bureau, legislative liaison for the statewide Farm Bureau, and working on the coffee berry borer committee and the statewide Hawai`i Coffee Association.
THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE holds a meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Project manager Ron Whitmore will provide an update on the status of the project. Additional information about the CDP and the Steering Committee is available at www.kaucdp.info, including draft minutes from the Sept. 13 Steering Committee meeting. The public can also contact Steering Committee chair Leina`ala Enos at 929-8641 or lenos@qlcc.org, other Steering Committee members, Community Planning assistant Nalani Parlin at 217-6893 or kaucdp@gmail.com, or Whitmore at 961-8742 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.
PETER MOON JOINS CYRIL PAHINUI and Bolo tonight at Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 at the door.
ACOUSTIC HAWAIIAN JAM is the theme of this year’s Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo celebration at the oceanfront park tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Slack key and `ukulele master Keoki Kahumoku encourages everyone to bring along instruments. The event is free and underscores stewardship of the wetlands and public gathering place at Honu`apo.
Manfredi has been involved in marketing Ka`u Coffee at the Specialty Coffee Association of America, where local farmers have won international tasting awards, and representing Ka`u Coffee as president of the Ka`u Farm Bureau, legislative liaison for the statewide Farm Bureau, and working on the coffee berry borer committee and the statewide Hawai`i Coffee Association.
THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE holds a meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Project manager Ron Whitmore will provide an update on the status of the project. Additional information about the CDP and the Steering Committee is available at www.kaucdp.info, including draft minutes from the Sept. 13 Steering Committee meeting. The public can also contact Steering Committee chair Leina`ala Enos at 929-8641 or lenos@qlcc.org, other Steering Committee members, Community Planning assistant Nalani Parlin at 217-6893 or kaucdp@gmail.com, or Whitmore at 961-8742 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.
SEN. GIL KAHELE invites the public to two community forums this month. Sen. Kahele is using these forums to hear the concerns of his constituents as well as help him prepare for the upcoming 27th Legislative session in January.
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| Sen. Gil Kahele |
He said he will provide a re-cap of the 26th Hawai`i Legislature as well as address specific issues pertaining to individual communities where the forums will be held. On Friday, Oct. 14, Sen. Kahele will be at the Ocean View Community Center, and on Wednesday, Oct. 26, he will be at Pahala Community Center. Both foare from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Members of the community can email or call the senator with issues and questions for the forum. Email senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov or call 808-586-6760.
THE KA`U COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE begins tomorrow. Those needing food can stop by the Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu with a photo I.D. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive emergency food for their family once a month. Normally the center gives a two-day supply, but lately, due to low rations, only a one-day supply is available.
Food drive collection sites are Pahala Community Center, Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Na`alehu Island Market, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Ka`u Family Center, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Discovery Harbour Community Association, Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Kahuku Country Market, daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call Teresa Alderdyce at 929-9611, ext. 10.
KA`U HIGH VARSITY FOOTBALL faced the Honoka`a Dragons last night at the Pahala ball field. Junior Billy Lorance got the Trojans off to a promising start, scoring a touchdown for the Trojans in the first quarter. However, the speedy Dragons outran the Trojans on the field, winning the game 48-6. In the second half senior Oliver Asistin and freshman Cy Tamura both intercepted the Dragons' ball.
Food drive collection sites are Pahala Community Center, Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Na`alehu Island Market, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Ka`u Family Center, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Discovery Harbour Community Association, Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Kahuku Country Market, daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call Teresa Alderdyce at 929-9611, ext. 10.
KA`U HIGH VARSITY FOOTBALL faced the Honoka`a Dragons last night at the Pahala ball field. Junior Billy Lorance got the Trojans off to a promising start, scoring a touchdown for the Trojans in the first quarter. However, the speedy Dragons outran the Trojans on the field, winning the game 48-6. In the second half senior Oliver Asistin and freshman Cy Tamura both intercepted the Dragons' ball.
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| Ka`u scored in the first quarter during a game against Honoka`a last night in Pahala. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
PETER MOON JOINS CYRIL PAHINUI and Bolo tonight at Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 at the door.
ACOUSTIC HAWAIIAN JAM is the theme of this year’s Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo celebration at the oceanfront park tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Slack key and `ukulele master Keoki Kahumoku encourages everyone to bring along instruments. The event is free and underscores stewardship of the wetlands and public gathering place at Honu`apo.