The history of coffee in Hawai‘i is one of resilience, innovation, and aloha. It’s a story that begins with humble beginnings in the 1800s and continues today through the thriving farms of Ka‘ū on the Big Island. While many know Kona’s reputation, fewer realize that Ka‘ū coffee has deep roots in this same history — and has blossomed into one of the most respected origins in the world.
At Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, every cup we roast carries this legacy forward. Here are seven fascinating facts that celebrate the heritage, culture, and flavor behind Hawai‘i’s most authentic brew.
1. Coffee First Came to Hawai‘i in the 1820s
The history of coffee in Hawai‘i began when Don Francisco de Paula Marin, a Spanish advisor to King Kamehameha I, planted the islands’ first coffee trees in O‘ahu in 1817. A few years later, missionary Samuel Ruggles introduced Arabica coffee to Kona in 1828.
These early plantings thrived in volcanic soil, setting the stage for a coffee culture that would become world-renowned. Today, Ka‘ū continues this tradition with passion and purpose.
2. Ka‘ū Was Once Sugar Country
Before coffee, Ka‘ū’s economy was built on sugar cane. For more than a century, plantations dominated the region until the final mill closed in 1996.
Out of this transition, Ka‘ū farmers began planting coffee on land once covered in cane. This rebirth transformed the local economy — and redefined the history of coffee in Hawai‘i by introducing a new origin with its own distinct flavor.
At Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, we honor that agricultural heritage by continuing the tradition of mālama ‘āina (caring for the land).
Report on the agricultural resources and capabilities of Hawaii (1901)” by William C. Stubbs / Public Domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
3. Volcanic Soil Gives Ka‘ū Coffee Its Signature Taste
Ka‘ū’s position on the southern slopes of Mauna Loa gives it rich volcanic soil, high elevation, and cool mountain air — a perfect combination for growing coffee.
These conditions produce beans with natural sweetness, smooth body, and hints of caramel and citrus. According to Perfect Daily Grind, volcanic soil regions consistently yield the most balanced and complex coffees worldwide. Ka‘ū’s terroir proves why.
4. Ka‘ū Coffee Is Grown by Small Family Farmers
Unlike large industrial operations, Ka‘ū’s coffee farms are small, often family-owned plots passed down through generations. Many growers once worked in the sugar fields and bring that same dedication to coffee.
This close relationship with the ‘āina creates not only high-quality beans but also a deep sense of community — one that’s rooted in sustainability, respect, and aloha.
Visitors can experience this firsthand through our Ka‘ū coffee farm tours, where you can walk the orchards and see how we transform cherries into world-class coffee.
5. Ka‘ū Coffee Has Earned International Recognition
Ka‘ū coffee’s excellence has been celebrated at global competitions, including top honors at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Cupping Competitions.
In fact, publications like Forbes have named Ka‘ū among the best coffees in the United States.
This recognition not only secures Ka‘ū’s place in the history of coffee in Hawai‘i but also in the world of fine specialty coffee.
6. The Peaberry: Ka‘ū’s Rarest Bean
Among Ka‘ū’s most prized offerings is the Ka‘ū Peaberry — a rare bean formed when only one seed grows inside the coffee cherry instead of two. This natural occurrence results in a rounder bean with more concentrated flavor.
Our Ka‘ū Peaberry Coffee is known for its smooth sweetness, tropical notes, and full-bodied richness — a reflection of both nature’s rarity and Ka‘ū craftsmanship.
7. Coffee in Hawai‘i Is a Celebration of Culture
The coffee industry has always been a melting pot of cultures — Japanese, Portuguese, Filipino, Hawaiian, and more — all contributing to the farming, processing, and roasting traditions that make Hawai‘i’s coffee unique.
At Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, this spirit lives on. Every bag, every roast, and every visitor reflects a piece of Hawai‘i’s cultural mosaic — where hard work and aloha come together in every cup.
Final Sip: Preserving the Legacy of Ka‘ū Coffee
The history of coffee in Hawai‘i is still being written, and Ka‘ū continues to lead the way with innovation and heart. From its sugar-era roots to its rise as an award-winning coffee region, Ka‘ū embodies what makes Hawaiian coffee so special: connection to the land, respect for tradition, and a deep sense of community.
At Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, we’re proud to share this story — and invite you to be part of it. Whether you join us for a farm tour, sample our roasts, or shop gourmet Ka‘ū coffee online, you’re helping preserve a legacy nearly two centuries in the making.
Because in Ka‘ū, every cup is more than coffee — it’s aloha in its purest form