2009 Kona Coffee Festival Fun For All

Check Out All Of These Great Events at the Coffee Celebration!

Sunday, November 1

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival begins on Sunday, November 1, when the Little Miss Kona Coffee Berry Pageant is held at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

The Pageant at the Festival includes various divisions including ages 4 to 6 (Little Miss Pea Berry), ages 7 to 9 (Little Miss Coffee Berry), ages 10 to 12 (Young Miss Kona Coffee), and ages 13 to 17 (Miss Outstanding Teen) - the winner of this last age group becomes eligible to compete at the state level.

For more information about the Little Miss Kona Coffee Berry Pageant call 808-960-3094 or 808-936-6111.

Kona Coffee Aloha Makahiki Concert

Also on November 1 is the Kona Coffee Aloha Makahiki Concert from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Makaeo County Pavilion.  Featured at the Concert will be the hula legend Poni Kamauu who will join with Mika Keale Goto and her Japan hula halau.

After the hula there will be a musical performance by Aaron Mahi, Martin Pahinui, Stephen Akana, and Kekoa Kaluhiwa.

Another Cultural Festival event, which takes place on Friday, November 6, is the Brewalalai - Best of Taste from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in historic Honuaino Square in Kealakekua. The event will offer free coffee tastings of the top Cupping Competition winners from the last eight years.  Call 808-322-9977 for more information.

At 10 a.m. on Friday will be events at the New Waves at Hawaii Gateway Energy Center including Aquaculture Tours and then a wonderful feast prepared by culinary students.  Entertainment will be provided during the Gourmet Lunch. Tickets to this premier event are $100 - call 808-329-8073 for more information.

At 6:30 p.m. is the International Lantern Parade which will go from the Pier along Alii Drive to Hale Halawai. Participants wear ethnic costumes as they celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Kona amidst the lighted lanterns. This is truly one of the highlights of the Kona Coffee Festival.

At 7:30 p.m. you can enjoy multi-ethnic entertainment at a Cultural Program at Hale Halawai.  There will be Coffee Tastings as well as food to enjoy as you reminisce about the Parade you just watched.  The highlight of the evening is the colorful Bon Dance that will get everyone up out of their seats.

Saturday, November 7

From 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will again be the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival  Brewalalai - Best of Taste (see above) in Kealakekua.
From 9:30 to 3:00 p.m. you can enjoy the Holualoa Village Coffee Tasting & Art Stroll that allows you to tour various boutique art galleries while also tasting dozens of premium Kona coffees.  In conjunction with the Kona Coffee Festival, local farmers will be on hand to discuss their pride and joy.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. there is a Children’s Kona Coffee Quilting Class being offered at Quilt Passions.  A free class will be provided for children from 8 to 12 years old, and will include free instruction as well as materials.  To reserve a space in the class call 808-329-7475.

At 6:30 p.m. the no-host cocktails portion of the Ueshima Coffee Corporation 39th Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant begins.  This Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Pageant itself will begin at 7:30 p.m.  This event takes place at the Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel, and Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Aloha Hawaii 2010 will be crowned.  For more information call 808-557-0677.

The Brewalalai - Best of Taste event will be happening from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Kealakekua at historic Honuaino Square. Call 808-322-9977 for more information on this popular event.

Sunday, November 8

The Kona Coffee Picking Contest will take place from 8:30 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Ueshima Coffee Farm.  This is a timed competition and includes cash prizes as well as refreshments and entertainment. This is a distinctive event of the annual coffee celebration.

The Brewalalai - Best of Taste Coffee Tastings will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Kealakekua at the historic Honuaino Square.  Registration begins at 7:30. The tastings will continue until 3:30 p.m. Call 808-322-9977 for more information.

From 12:30 to 3 p.m. the KTA Super Stores will be holding their Kona Coffee Recipe Contest and Big Island Showcase at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa Convention Center.  A popular Kona Coffee Festival event, food samples and displays will be provided along with cooking demonstrations, door prizes, and more.

Monday, November 9

A Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour will be provided by the Kona Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour explores the lives of the pioneering coffee farmers in the early 1900s. For reservations call 808-323-2006.

Brewalalai - Best of Taste will be going on at historic Honuaino Square in Kealakekua from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. Call 808-322-9977 for more information.

Tuesday, November 10

The Kona Coffee Label & Website Display event will be held at the Keauhou Beach Resort, and will continue on Wednesday and  Thursday.

A Kona Coffee Council Farm & Mill Tour is offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning at Hale Halawai. The tour will visit three different Kona Coffee Farms in north and south Kona.  This event is also offered on Wednesday. The cost is $50 and includes transportation as well as lunch. For reservations call 808-322-6575.

Kona Coffee Workshops will be held on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the University of Hawaii CTAHR Extension Offices in conjunction with the Kona Coffee Festival.  The Kona Historical Society Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour will also be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kealakekua, and through the week. For reservations call 808-323-2006.

Wednesday, November 11

Check out local artwork the Kona Coffee Art Exhibit from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort. You can also vote for your favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. As part of the Coffee Festival, the art reflects the Kona lifestyle.

Also on Wednesday is the Kona Coffee Quilt Contest & Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort, and Kona Coffee Workshops from 10 a.m. to noon at Makaeo County Pavilion.

From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Makaeo County Pavilion are various events including Hawaiiana Culture Workshops, a Kona Coffee Showcase, Hawaiian Quilt Workshop, Hawaiian Master Drum Maker and Wood Carver, Kona Coffee Farmers Showcase, and Kona Coffee Story along Hawaii Belt Road.
Thursday, November 12

From 9 a.m. to noon is the finals of the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition at Keauhou Beach Resort.  The state’s very best Kona coffee will be decided by a panel of international judges who know the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival features the world’s best coffees.
Also from 9 a.m. to noon at Kauhou Beach Resort is the Kona Coffee Quilt Contest and Show as well as a Kona Coffee Art Exhibit.  Prizes and awards, including a People’s Choice Award, will be presented to local artists for their works representing the Kona coffee lifestyle. The Kona Coffee Label & Website Competition will also announce a winner.

From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Makaeo County Pavilion are various Kona Coffee Festival events including Hawaiiana Culture Workshops, a Kona Coffee Showcase, Hawaiian Quilt Workshop, Hawaiian Master Drum Maker and Wood Carver, Kona Coffee Farmers Showcase, and Kona Coffee Story. This will also be happening on Friday.

On Thursday night at the Keauhou Beach Resort there will be no-host cocktails beginning at 6 p.m., and then at 7 p.m. a Kona Coffee Festival  Buffet Dinner will commence. This event will include many important members of the Kona coffee industry, with a silent auction and live entertainment.

Friday, November 13

Kona Coffee Workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Makaeo County Pavilion along with roasting, coffee tastings, craft demonstrations, and many other activities.

Friday night is Kona Coffee Talent Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Kona Hongwanji. Visitors will join in the fun with the locals to participate in this Kona-style karaoke.

Saturday, November 14

The Kona Coffee Grand Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Royal Kona Resort and travels to Makaeo County Pavilion. In addition to colorful floral floats and marching  bands in this premier Kona Coffee Festival event, there willl be various communnity groups, the newly crowned Miss Aloha Hawaii and Miss Kona Coffee, and of course the wonderfully-costumed horse riders on their mounts.

From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. there will be live entertainment and many activities at Makaeo County Pavilion, as on previous days of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.  Saturday’s events will also include floral displays, a lauhala weaving workshop, a festival of artists, a Kona Lei contest, and much more.

A Pioneer Farmer’s Luncheon will honor the area’s long-time Kona coffee farmers.  This is one of the many wonderful events that show respect to these hard working farmers who have built the Kona coffee brand into one of the world’s top coffees.

In conjunction with these events there will be a Kona Bowl Scholarship Bowling Tournament beginning at 9 a.m. to benefit the Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant.

And that concludes the 2009 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Enjoy!

For more information see our complete story about the 39th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.