Important information on Kona Coffee:

  • Because of the rarity and price of Kona coffee, some retailers sell "Kona Blends". These are NOT a combination of different Kona coffees, but a blend of Kona and Colombian, Brazilian, or other foreign coffees. Usually they contain the MINIMUM required 10% Kona coffee and 90% cheaper imported beans.

  • Current Hawaiian law requires blends to state only the percentage of Kona coffee on the label but not any other coffee origins. Some retailers use terms such as 'Kona Roast' or 'Kona Style'.

  • To be considered authentic Kona coffee, the state of Hawaii's labeling laws require the prominent display of the words "100% Kona Coffee".

KONA COFFEE TOURS (Near Kona):

  • Kona Coffee Living History Farm: is the only living history coffee farm in the nation. More information on their website. Admission fee is charged.

  • Rooster Farms: has been a certified organic Kona Coffee farm for 30+ years. Awarded the 2016 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Contest. Farm tours are free, lasting anywhere between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours and includes a free tasting.

    • Tours available by appointment. See their website for contact details.

  • Kuaiwi Farm: Grows coffee and cacao and offers a wonderful farm tour. Plan on a two-hour visit, tours cost $15/adult. Tours need to be scheduled, more information on the website.

  • Sunshower Coffee Farm: offers private coffee tours with a in-depth cupping (specialty tasting) included, as well as roasting lesson where guests can roast their own coffee to take home. Tours are available 7 days a week but need to be scheduled in advance. $20/tasting. More information on their website.

  • Heavenly Hawaiian coffee farms: Organizes free tours from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm. The tours are “farm to cup” and are concluded with a tasting on the lanai. More information on their website.

  • Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee: Organizes both free and VIP tours. No reservation needed, tours start every hour, 7 days/week. More details at their website.

  • Wailele Estates Plantation: Organizes free 1 to 2-hour tours during their harvest season (July through December). Please call or email ahead for personal tour appointments. See their website for details.

  • Ueshima coffee (UCC): Organizes tours on their estate, reservations are needed and can be made on their website.

  • Holualoa Kona Coffee Company: Self guided tours Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. at their Kona Le’a plantation. More information on their website.

  • Greenwell Farms: organizes free tours throughout the day. More information on their website.