Coffee & Art Stroll © Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Celebrate Hawai‘i’s coffee culture at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, running Nov. 9–18. Recognized as one of the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Signature Events, this long-running festival marks 48 years as the state’s oldest food festival. The story of coffee in Hawai‘i is rich: Reverend Samuel Ruggles introduced coffee cuttings from Oahu to South Kona on Hawai‘i Island in 1828. The plants thrived in volcanic soil, and within a decade coffee farms were well established across Kona.
Cupping Queens © Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Over 10 days, the festival presents nearly 50 events that highlight the region’s coffee heritage, cultural traditions, and community talents. Signature competitions and demonstrations focus on coffee quality and craft, including the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition where experts evaluate aroma, flavor, and body. For those who enjoy hands-on experiences, the festival offers farm tours and interactive programs that show the full production cycle—from pruning and picking to processing at the mill.
Food and drink enthusiasts can enter a coffee recipe contest or attend a Kona Coffee 101 seminar to deepen their understanding of what makes Kona coffee distinct. Active visitors may prefer the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon, a scenic run that celebrates the area’s landscapes and farm country. Historic Holualoa Village hosts the Coffee & Art Stroll, where visitors meet local artists and makers while sampling coffee along tree-lined streets.
Educational opportunities include the UCC Kona Coffee Picking & Farm Experience and curated farm-and-mill tours led by the Kona Coffee Council. The Kona Historical Society also offers Living History Farm Tours that pair agricultural interpretation with local history, giving context to how coffee shaped the island’s communities.
Evenings bring music and community celebration. Concerts such as the Aloha Makahiki Concert and the Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night at the Aloha Theater showcase Hawaiian music and local performers. A lantern parade and other cultural events create a festive atmosphere where families and visitors gather to enjoy performances, demonstrations, and the distinctive flavors of Kona coffee.
Whether you’re a coffee aficionado, a culture seeker, or a visitor looking for an authentic Hawai‘i experience, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival offers a mix of education, entertainment, and hands-on activities. The event highlights the craftsmanship behind 100% Kona coffee and the island traditions that continue to shape Kona’s coffee-growing communities.