The Hawaii Coffee Association (HCA) -- which represents growers, processors, retailers and service providers -- recently held its annual contest, during which it named a winner that perfectly embodies the group’s values.
Members of the group have the ability to vote on issues related to coffee, its production and sale, can be elected to the board and participate in a number of activities every year.
"We have a duty and an important role in responding to these multilayered crises,” Chris Manfredi, president of HCA, stated in an industry press release. “Our response is timely, well-planned, coordinated and efficient. Our members are positioned throughout the supply chain, including farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, coffee shops and the many businesses and organizations that supply and support the industry.”
The group prides itself on helping to further the culture of coffee, which Hawaii’s islands have become known for, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While our primary focus has recently been on COVID recovery and Coffee Leaf Rust, the underlying issues relating to regulation, marketing, quality assurance and traceability still remain. The virtual platform has allowed us to easily connect with attendees in El Salvador, Africa, the Ukraine, China, the U.S. mainland and Hawaii,” Manfredi said, according to the HCA press release.
The 2021 competition tested a range of varieties of coffee with various methods of processing, and the contestants had record-high scores.
The top 10 winners, from first to last, are: Olinda Organic Farm, Hula Daddy Kona Coffee LLC, Miranda Farms, Kopiko Farms, Hula Daddy Kona Coffee LLC, Monarch Coffee Farm, Rusty’s Hawaiian Farm, Aloha Star Coffee Farms, Kona Rainforest Farms LLC, Greenwell Farms, Kona Farm Direct, Konalicious Organic Coffee Farm and Hala Tree Coffee.
Kona coffee farms range in elevation from 500 to 3,000 feet. There are approximately 630 farms, and most farms are less than 5 acres and operated by individual families. Ka'u coffee farms are typically 500 smallholder acres of different varieties.
Puna coffee is harvested from approximately 125 acres. Farms are found in the 300 to 2,600-foot elevation. The typical varieties include catuai, caturra, typica, mokka and bourbon. Total Puna coffee production is estimated around 50,000 pounds annually.
Hamakua coffee farms average between five to seven acres at an elevation of 350 to 2,500 feet. Typica, caturra and catuai are the most common varieties that are planted.