The Coffees of Hawai Estate and Farm on Molokai grows about 500 acres of coffee in Kualapuu in central Molokai at an elevation of about 850 feet above sea level.
Most of the plants are of the coffee plant varietal red catuai which grows well in the Molokai plantation’s red earth irrigated by the same 1.5 billion gallon reservoir that serves Kualapuu and the Hoolehu agricultural plains. Kualapuu means “Sweet potato hill” and is a fitting name for this area with fertile farming soil.
This large plantation on Molokai features long, regular lines of irrigated coffee plants that are picked with harvesting machines, similar to the Kauai Coffee operation, but unlike Kona coffee which is hand-picked.
The Coffees of Hawaii coffee plantation and mill in Kualapuu produces two main coffees, Malulani Estate (which is wet processed) and Molokai Muleskinner (which is dry processed).
Malulani Estate coffee is distinguished for its rich body and hints of chocolate. The coffee is given a medium roast and exhibits a mild to low acidity with a complexity in the bouquet that includes herbal tones. Molokai Muleskinner coffee is given a medium dark roast.
The Espresso Bar & Deli at the plantation has a nice gift shop and also a self-guided tour display that provides historical information as well as information about the workings of the coffee plantation today.
Also enjoyable at the Espresso Bar & Deli is the live jazz playing every Saturday evening. Sunday afternoon is also nice with Hawaiian and Contemporary music playing on the lanai. This makes for a nice afternoon sipping some coffee, gazing at the views and listening to music.