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Hawaiian Coffee Cultivation History and Varieties - Hawaii Coffee Growing Regions and Grading Introduction

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information Please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account cafe_style) Hawaiian Coffee Cultivation History In Francisco de Paula Marin's 1813 journal, he recorded planting coffee on Oahu. That planting plan ultimately failed, but in 1825, the mayor of Oahu --- Boki through

Professional coffee knowledge exchange, for more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

Hawaiian Coffee Cultivation History

Don Francisco de Paula Marin noted in his 1813 journal that he had planted coffee on Oahu. That planting attempt ultimately failed, but in 1825, the Governor of Oahu, Boki, brought coffee to Hawaii through the British warship H.M.S. Blonde. This warship was returning the bodies of King Kamehameha and Queen Kamamalu to Hawaii—they had died in London from measles during an official visit. Governor Boki was responsible for the funeral arrangements and obtained coffee trees from Rio de Janeiro during the voyage, bringing them back to Hawaii.

Coffee was first planted in Manoa Valley on Oahu, then gradually expanded to other areas of Oahu and neighboring islands. In 1828, Reverend Samuel Ruggles planted coffee in the Naole area (now Captain Cook), above the Kealakekua Bay on the Kona Coast. These coffee trees thrived due to moderate altitude, fertile soil, and consistent cloud cover. The cultivated area gradually expanded, and the local coffee became more famous than that from other regions. At that time, Hawaii's coffee exports were primarily transported by whaling ships and merchant vessels. During the 1860s, the whaling industry declined, and Hawaiian coffee consequently lost its primary market. In the 1870s, sugar became Hawaii's main crop, West Coast markets gradually expanded, slowly becoming trading markets between Hawaii and the United States.

Forward!... to Honolulu. From the 1800s to the 1900s, Maui was always an important stop for coffee ships to load and unload cargo. Mala Wharf was one of the main stops for ships traveling from the old town port of Kailua to the busy Honolulu harbor. These ships often carried not only coffee but also pineapples produced by Baldwin cannery operators engaged in canning. This location is now the site of the Lahaina Cannery Shopping Center.

Hawaiian Coffee Characteristics

Hawaiian coffee is the only premium variety produced among the 50 states of the United States. Due to the very small coffee cultivation area on the islands, the annual coffee bean production in Hawaii is extremely limited, yet the quality is excellent. Therefore, coffee beans produced in this region are priced higher than those from other coffee-growing countries.

Most coffee is planted on the slopes of Mauna Loa, in fertile soil containing volcanic ash. Hawaii's pleasant climate conditions are very suitable for growing coffee trees, with abundant precipitation and sunshine, and no worries about frost damage. Additionally, this region has a natural phenomenon called "free shade" that provides necessary shade for coffee trees.

Such superior natural conditions make the Arabica coffee yield in the Kona region higher than other plantations, while maintaining consistently high quality.

Kona Region Grading Introduction

Kona

The Kona region is located on the Big Island and is the most famous and world-renowned producing area in Hawaii. The coffee beans have a perfect appearance, with exceptionally full fruits, bright and glossy color. The coffee flavor is rich and aromatic, with cinnamon spice notes, and the acidity is well-balanced and moderate, making it a world treasure.

Kona Grading

Kona coffee beans are graded according to bean size, divided into Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 consists of standard coffee beans, with two beans per coffee fruit.

Type 2 consists exclusively of Peaberry beans.

Type 1: Graded from large to small as Kona Extra Fancy, Kona Fancy, Kona Number 1, Kona Select, and Kona Prime.

Type 2: Includes two grades of Peaberry beans—Kona Number 1 Peaberry and the smaller Kona Peaberry Prime.

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