You won’t get your morning caffeine from your computer, but the Ka’u Coffee Festival will bring coffee-themed events online this April.
Because of the uncertainties of how COVID-19 restrictions will play out and to protect Ka’u’s farming efforts, the 13th annual Ka’u Coffee Festival will be a virtual event this year, from April 1-30 at kaucoffeefestival.com.
Ka’u coffee is rooted in coffee traditions dating to the 1800s. It became known in the specialty coffee scene after winning numerous coffee quality awards. The Ka‘u Coffee Festival is held annually to raise awareness of Ka‘u as a world-class, coffee-growing origin.
“We’re very proud of the virtual content we’ve created featuring our most popular events,” festival organizer Chris Manfredi said in a release. “During our 2020 virtual festival, we engaged with audiences worldwide that we never thought possible. We hope the connections we’ve made in the virtual realm will continue in 2022 and encourage new and repeat visitors to Ka‘u. We invite the many fans of our award-winning crop to join us. All of our virtual events are free and sponsors are welcome”
Those who want to visit are encouraged to sip a cup of Ka’u coffee at home while they take in all the online activities, the release said.
The event allows participants to learn about the history of Ka’u coffee, get to know some of the coffee growers by reading farmer profiles, listen to music by Keaiwa, a Ka’u band and take in some hula dancing by Halau Hula O Leionalani. It will also offer an interactive Ka‘u Coffee College webinar with educational forums that highlight the needs of this heritage coffee-producing community.
Coffee lovers are asked to check back with the website periodically to check the latest events. Social media updates will also be available.