Kona Coffee Hoistory

There are several theories regarding migration to Hawaii. The earliest known settlements to Hawaii were made by Polynesians, probably from the Marquesas Islands. They traveled to Hawaii using large double-hulled canoes. They brought with them taro, ti, sugarcane, ginger, gourd, yams, bamboo, turmeric, arrowroot, and the breadfruit tree. They also brought small pigs, dogs, and jungle fowl. They established a rigid and controlled society, rich in oral and music traditions. Religion consisted of the worship of many gods and goddesses, representing things such as war, life, death and harvests. Many of these old traditions are still practiced today by the native Hawaiian people.

For many generations hereditary chiefs controlled the islands. Their people paid taxes and served for them as soldiers. Many wars were fought between the chiefs until the islands were united under a single ruler, Kamehameha I, in 1810. The first Europeans arrived on January 18, 1778. Captain James Cook and his crew discovered Hawaii by accident while attempting to discover the fabled Northwest Passage. Following its European discovery, Hawai'i became an important stopping place on one of the world's major trading routes.

Around 1820 missionaries began arriving. Their religious beliefs quickly overcame the old system of kapu. Many of the churches they established still exist today. It was the American Missionary, Samuel Reverend Ruggle, who brought the first coffee plants to Hawaii. However, it was not until much later in that century that it became a consistent and worthwhile crop.

Although coffee grows all over the Hawaiian Islands, the Kona region on the Big Island has the perfect environment for growing coffee. A combination of elevation, rich volcanic soil, moderate temperature and gentle afternoon rain showers creates some of the best growing conditions anywhere in the world.

Small family run farms became the norm for Kona. Many ethnic groups have contributed to the history of the Kona coffee industry: Hawaiians, Japanese, Filipinos, Portuguese, Chinese, Americans, Europeans, Koreans, and Puerto Ricans. Of these groups the Japanese have been the vast majority of coffee growers.

Though much has changed over the years, the tradition of family run farms still persists. This family orientation has produced a close sense of community, with care and compassion to spare, and a friendly welcome for all who come to visit.