Kaʻū News Briefs April 30, 2024

Bolo, who helped compose the song Kaiholena, will be featured with The Jazz Gardeners, dancers from Halau Hula O Leonalani

and Aloha Latinos and other entertainment at the opening of Kaʻū Coffee Fest 2024 on June 1 at Pāhala Plantation House where the public is invited to meet the sponsors and farmers. Photo from Ka'u Coffee Fest

THE FIRST KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL since the pandemic kicks off in one month for eight days at the beginning of June. Presented by the Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Cooperative and its President Gloria Camba, it is “designed to celebrate Ka‘ū as a premium coffee growing origin and a unique visitor destination.” It also celebrates the success of the multicultural community of Ka‘ū Coffee growers, who were able to create a new economy to own their own farms on this Hawaiian land.

    Organizers note that many of the events are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations:
    Saturday, June 1: Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest offers a free competition for adults and keiki

Kaʻū Coffee recipe contest is June 1. Call 808-928-0550 to sign
 up. Above, the late Ann Fontes, a Coffee Fest food judge,
 farmer and agricultural educator. Photo by Julia Neal

at 11 a.m. with cash prizes at the Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Entries are accepted in pupu, entree and dessert categories for adult and student divisions. All recipes are made with Kaʻū coffee and attendees enjoy free coffee, tastings and entertainment. Entry deadline is May 27. Contact 808-928-0550 for registration info.
    Saturday, June 1: Welcome Party at historic  Plantation House to meet sponsors and farmers. Learn history of Ka‘ū Coffee. Hear the music of The Jazz Gardeners and the voice of Cheryl Cuevas with some old-time lively Hapa Haole music on drums, sax, flute, clarinet, bass, and piano. Hear Bolo’s rendition of Kaiholena composed during a past Ka‘ū Coffee Festival to honor the place, included on a Grammy-winning album by Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere. Enjoy performers from Hālau Hula O Leionalani and Mexican dance from the new Aloha Latinos Hawai‘i Association.Berta, Jose and Maria Miranda and learn about the family’s escape from a civil war and their success in becoming Ka‘ū Coffee farmers. Enjoy food and house tours. The event is 6 p.m. -9:30 p.m. Co-hosted by Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative, Pāhala Plantation Cottages and The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper. Free, donations accepted.

Kaʻū Coffee Farms will be open Wednesday, June 5 to visit the farmers. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

    Wednesday, June 5: Tour Kaʻū Coffee Farms and see how this world-class coffee is grown, harvested and processed. Meet the farmers and talk story to learn their challenges and successes. Take a free, self-guided tour; participating farms will be listed on the festival website. 

Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch is Thursday, June 6. Photo by Jesse Tunison

    Thursday, June 6: Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch explores the historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and development of hydroelectric power in the lush Wood Valley rainforest. Limited to 30 participants, time is 9 a.m.-2 p.m., $60 per person, includes lunch. Reserve a spot at 808-928-0550.

    Friday, June 7: Coffee & Cattle Day 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at scenic Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Find out how descendants of Kaʻū’s first coffee farmer sustainably integrate coffee with pasture-raised beef. $35 fee includes a hearty, all-you-can-eat outdoor buffet featuring local specialties. Reserve spot at 808-927-2252. 

Merle Becker, adorned with maile lei, takes hayriders on a tour of Aikane Plantation's coffee and cattle fields. Photo by Jesse Tunison

    Friday, June 7: Kaʻū Stargazing enables sky seekers to view the heavens via telescopes guided by professional astronomers from the hills surrounding Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Find out how stars are instrumental in the age-old Hawaiian art of wayfinding and navigation. Time is 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m., $60 fee includes a barbecue dinner and shuttle transport from Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Reservations: 808-928-0550.
    Saturday, June 8: Fun is perking 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the free Kaʻū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a—the festival’s grand finale of live music, hula, local food and crafts, keiki activities, educational displays, guided coffee tastings and farm and mill tours headquartered inside and out of Pāhala Community Center. Entertainment includes famed vocalist Darlene Ahuna, Ku‘uipo Kumukai, Victor Chock & Friends, Halau Hula O Leionalani and Demetrius Oliveira and Gene Beck. Visit kaucoffeefestival.com and follow Kaʻū Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter and Instagram.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

VENDORS ARE SOUGHT FOR KAʻŪ HOSPITAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION'S KAʻŪ COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR on Saturday, Aug 31 at Pahala Community Center from 10 a.m. – 2 pm. This second annual event is hosted by Kaʻū Hospital and East Hawai'i Health Clinic Kaʻū and Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association. Prospective vendors can contact Kaʻū Hospital Secretary Marciel Graig at 808-932-4376 or mgraig@hhsc.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.