Discovering Coffee: A Guide to Experiencing Coffee Country on the Big Island

This piece has been adapted for digital from Hawai'i, The Big Island, scheduled for publication in August 2024. Authored by Ashley Harrell, Jade Bremner, and Megan Minor Murray.

With its robust, smooth taste, Kona coffee is among the finest globally. No visit to the Big Island is complete without trying this exquisite brew (stick to the 100% pure Kona coffee—avoid the blends). Exploring a coffee farm offers insights into the island's agricultural legacy. Just remember to book your tours and activities in advance; those winding, steep roads deserve a rewarding experience.

Discovering Hawaiʻi's Coffee Region

Nestled in the hills around Hōlualoa, the Big Island boasts stunning landscapes where high altitude, abundant cloud cover, and rich volcanic soil combine to yield some of the finest coffee beans. For decades, Kona coffee has been celebrated for its quality, and today many farms have opened visitor centers and gift shops where you can enjoy free samples and guided tours. The prime time to visit is during the harvest season, from August to February, when the coffee trees are adorned with 'Kona snow' (white blossoms) and 'cherries' (ripe berries).

Top coffee experiences on the Big Island

Kona Coffee Living History Farm

While many coffee farm tours last just 15 minutes, the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, operated by the Kona Historical Society (a Smithsonian affiliate), offers a more in-depth experience. This self-guided tour spans a 5.5-acre working coffee farm and includes interactions with costumed interpreters showcasing traditional crafts, farming techniques, and daily life of rural Japanese immigrants in South Kona. Many docents have personal ties to local coffee farms, sharing their firsthand knowledge of the orchards, processing mill, drying roofs, and main house. Admission is $20 per person, with no need for reservations. The farm is open from 10 AM to 2 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays and is located 10 miles south of Hōlualoa in Captain Cook.

Hōlualoa Kona Coffee Company

If you're looking to support one of the island's most eco-friendly producers, check out Hōlualoa Kona Coffee Company. Located less than 2 miles south of Hōlualoa, their small, organic-certified Kona Leʻa Plantation avoids the use of pesticides and herbicides. As you drive up, keep an eye out for the free-ranging geese that serve as natural lawnmowers and fertilizer. Visiting offers a glimpse into sustainable jungle-grown practices, surrounded by composted coffee-cherry skins, mulched green waste, and bags of organic fertilizer. Tours are free and available from 8 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Greenwell Farms

Another must-visit is Greenwell Farms, a 150-acre family-run farm established in 1850 and currently managed by the fourth generation of Greenwells. One of Kona's oldest and most renowned coffee plantations, it roasts cherries from over 200 local growers. During the free guided tour, you'll discover how coffee transitions from seed to cup, with samples available before and after. Tours last about an hour and are offered daily from 9 AM to 3 PM. For a deeper experience, opt for the deluxe tour and tasting, which visits the cupping room, roasting room, farm, wet mill, nursery, and dry mill. This tour occurs at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM on weekdays and costs $40 per person.

Hula Daddy Kona Coffee

For breathtaking ocean views alongside exceptional coffee, look no further than Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, located just under 5 miles north of Hōlualoa. This eco-friendly, 33-acre farm features an epicurean tasting room and offers insights into cupping and unique coffee-production methods used to craft the renowned Kona Oli and Kona Sweet beans. Tours are priced at $35 and are scheduled for 10:15 AM and noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday—advance reservations are recommended.

UCC Hawaii

Spanning 26 acres, UCC Hawaii operates as a branch of one of Japan's largest coffee companies. The farm boasts stunning ocean views and offers free tours daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Additionally, there’s a seasonal harvest tour available for $30 per person and a roastmaster tour for $50 per person, during which guests can roast their own half-pound of Kona coffee.

Unique accommodations with a coffee flair

Nestled in a serene tropical neighborhood, A Beautiful Edge of the World B&B offers an eclectic retreat. Managed by a retired professor, writer, pilot, and coffee farmer, this charming spot is filled with knowledge, and his wife's breakfasts are simply delightful. Budget-friendly rooms come with private lanais that overlook the ocean. Meanwhile, Belle Vue Kona is a beloved choice among travelers, known for its attentive owners. While a bit pricier, it's set on a 5-acre coffee plantation, and the rooms feature expansive ocean views from their covered lanais. At the Aloha Guest House, you’ll be captivated by stunning ocean vistas from the shared lanai, living, and dining areas, along with two guest bedrooms on this 5-acre farm. The dedicated hosts take pride in their from-scratch breakfasts, using fruits from their own trees and estate-grown coffee.

Experience a touch of culture while journeying through coffee country

As you approach the intersection of Hwy 11 and Hwy 180, you'll find Honalo, a small town that signals your departure from the touristy Kona coast. The influence of Japanese culture is strongly felt here, evident in the temples and restaurants scattered throughout the coffee belt. The first notable site upon entering from the north is the Buddhist Daifukuji Soto Mission. Take off your shoes to appreciate the two beautifully maintained altars. Visitors are welcome to participate in Zen meditation, tai chi sessions, and taiko (Japanese drumming) practices; be sure to check the schedule. For a taste of local life, dine at Teshima’s Restaurant, a family-owned gem serving Japanese comfort food since the 1950s.

Continue planning your Big Island adventure:

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