KAILUA-KONA, US – The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary as Hawaii’s oldest festival returns this year – Thursday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. This year’s festival will be four days instead of the traditional 10 days. The planners have also centralized the events somewhat, with the King Kamehameha Hotel serving as the primary venue. For the first time, some of the events will be presented online at KonaCoffeeFest.com.
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival ‘s signature events include the Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll, a lei contest, a coffee art exhibit, a latte foam art competition, a half marathon, a coffee-picking and farm experience hosted by UCC Hawaii, Kona coffee farm tours and tastings, and a Hoolaulea (block party) event showcasing artisans, cultural practitioners, Hawaiian musicians and crafters. Additionally, the 50th Miss Kona Coffee will be crowned.
At the heart of the festival is the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition, which includes categories for the original Kona typica as well as varietals, coffees grown in the designated region but of a different type of beans.
The festival will also offer a cookbook to commemorate the 50th anniversary taken from (mostly) coffee-related recipes collected and tested over the years.
“Kona Coffee Cookbook: Recipes From our Coffee Country Kitchens” is a collection of more than 300 recipes, including breads, main dishes, sides, salads and desserts.
