7 Events You Can't Miss At The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
It's back, it's back! The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaii's oldest and longest running food festival, returns to celebrate its 53rd year on November 1st through November 10th, 2024 in Kona, Hawaii. And we have your comprehensive guide right here.
If you're a coffee lover (and we are) and you haven't been to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, you're missing out! Since its inception in 1970, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival organization has sought to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona’s unique nearly 200-year coffee heritage. The Festival and the local community embrace visitors and residents by sharing the unique history and culture of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans throughout the 10-days that celebrate the Kona coffee lifestyle.
The festival is unique in that it doesn't have one single "home" (there are dozens of events at multiple locations across the Kona region!). We've selected a few of our favorite events (the full calendar of events can be found here) to clue you in on where to be and when.
Our Favorite Events
1. The Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll
Celebrate the 25th annual Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll. Take a casual stroll along Holualoa Village, talk story with farmers about their passions and visit the shops and galleries, each featuring coffee themed art and merchandise. There will be food vendors stationed throughout the Village as well.
The popular Chefʻs Choice awards and People’s Choice awards returns, so remember to vote for Kona Coffee & Tea for your favorite coffee!
2. Kona Coffee Barista Training
Have you ever wanted to perfect your cup at home? Come by! Hosted right here at our cafe, seasoned coffee educators, trainers and professionals both local and abroad guide a robust coffee education experience in manual brewing techniques, espresso techniques, milk steaming, and latte art. Competition heats up later in the week at the Kona Coffee Latte Art Throwdown! Festival button required.
3. Latte Art Throwdown!
This is the one! Bringing the barista community together, this friendly yet fierce competition gives participants a chance to apply their skills in a fun, high-energy environment while we all watch them and cheer them on. It's intense! People fly in from around the state for this one, as the winner receives a free trip from Alaska Airlines! Watch baristas work magic in their cup of 100% Kona coffee. Festival button required.
If you've never been to a Latte Art Throwdown, this is your official invitation.
4. 100% Pure Kona Half Marathon
Fresh off the heels from Ironman, we're hoping to take some energy into the ninth annual “shot” at the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon!
Run the scenic coast of Kailua-Kona down Ali’i Drive to the infamous “Pit” at the “End of the World”. Enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean as you complete the half marathon or 5k distances and celebrate with a cup of Kona coffee!
-Half Marathon starts at 6:00 am
-5K starts at 6:15 am
5. Festival Ho'olaule'a
Sponsored by Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union
Ok this is a big one! Celebrate Kona coffee and culture with a day filled with live multi-cultural entertainment, ethnic food court, amazing lei contest, educational/historical exhibits, demonstrations, and displays. The Ho’olaule’a signature artisans market features goods Made in Hawaii and Kona coffee farmers like us sampling and selling their coffee. A great way to experience the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival!
Festival button required and available for purchase on-site.
6. Donkey Mill Art Center Cultural Activities
Text a friend and tell them to meet you at the Donkey Mill Art Center and try some of the cultural practices renowned in our region, such as lei making, lauhala bracelet weaving, papermaking with local fibers and natural dyes with olena or turmeric as part of the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (KCCF). Participants will be able to take home their finished projects as well as view the exhibition Hānau ka Mo‘olelo, and enjoy a cup of Kona Coffee. Participants may register to participate in one or two activities by visiting their website: www.donkeymillartcenter.org . Festival button required and available for purchase on-site.
7. Cupping Competition Awards Ceremony
The Cupping Competition awards ceremony will take place at the UCC Hawai’i Farm from 4:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m. Competition winners will be announced and presented with awards. And yes, we did submit two different coffees to the competition! We're reigning champs from several past years' prior, so wish us luck! :)
The festival will provide light pupus and refreshments and you will be able to sample the top award-winning coffees! Festival button required for entry.
Share this blog with your friends, or keep it open on your phone all week and use it as a guide. If you attend these events...we'll be seeing ya!
From all of us at Kona Coffee & Tea, we hope you enjoy the 53rd Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.