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If you enjoy your daily cup of java, Hawaii’s Kona Coffee Cultural Festival 2018 is the place to be and being held from November 9th through November 18th.
A multitude of events take place over these ten days with something of interest to everyone including coffee tastings, art exhibitions and tours of farms and mills. The best Kona coffees are presented and the winners of the Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant are chosen. Festival shuttles are useful for getting to and from the various functions.
Began in 1970, this is the 48th year for this festival that honors Kona’s famous coffee and the effort and achievement of the pioneers and farmers in this industry. Kona’s rich cultural legacy is showcased as well.
In 1828, thanks to a cutting from an Oahu orchard, an American missionary, Samuel Ruggles, transplanted the first Coffea arabica. The plants thrived, fed by the climate, higher elevation and soil. Though grown all over Hawaii, ultimately production took place in the Kona district. Now, five generations of coffee farmers later, there are over 600 commercial and estate coffee farms in Kona.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival 2018 activities are being held throughout Kona. Visit art galleries and coffee tastings in Holualoa Village. See both Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Aloha Hawaii queens crowned at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Visit a historic Kona coffee farm. Enjoy ethnic food, lei contest, arts and crafts and live entertainment in Hoolaulea. Watch the Lantern Parade in historic Kailua Village. The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Exhibit can be seen at the Donkey Mill Art Center. Take in an Intercultural Concert at Makaeo County Pavilion or the Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night at the Aloha Theater. You’ll want to experience as much as possible and with the wide range of events and activities offered at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival 2018, using local transportation like festival shuttles, cars for hire and driven cars will be quite convenient.
All in all, this celebration of Hawaii’s long history of coffee growing and those that have nurtured this industry since the 1800’s, is a great festival to experience.