6-7 Thursday, May 18, 2017 TKA‘U Grown, roasted, ground with pride: Something’s always brewing during 10-day event COFFEE By KATIE YOUNG YAMANAKA Special to the Tribune-Herald he flavor and aroma of coffee will captivate during the ninth annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival with award-winning area coffee, coffee-centric events and a host of other FESTIVAL fun family activities all wrapped up in a week of education and exploration starting Friday through May 28. Supported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, numerous sponsors and volunteers, the Ka‘u Coffee Festival is designed to celebrate Ka‘u as a premium coffee-growing area and a unique visitor destination. Many events are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations. Festival organizer Chris Manfredi says they have worked this year to strengthen and refine the festival’s most popular events. “The Ka‘u Coffee Experience gets better every year, and it’s hard to imagine, but our coffee quality has improved even over last season,” he says. “We’ve got better quality coffee and more of it. The mountain hike and stargazing events are hugely popular, to the point of adding a second hike. “Rare is the opportunity to view Starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, the popular Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest features a cooking competition with cash prizes at Ka‘u Coffee Mill. the night sky on a guided tour from one of the most spiritual places in Hawaii. That’s the kind of thing that will stay with you always. And we hope Ka‘u stays with visitors and they see the value in supporting our community by enjoying our crop.” The week of events begins Friday with the pa‘ina and open house at the historic Pahala Plantation House featuring music, hula, food and house tours from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the corner of Maile and Pikake streets in Pahala. “This is the kick-off to the festival,” Manfredi says. “Good food, good friends, good music. And it’s held in the historic plantation’s manager’s house. It’s a cool place with lots of history.” Hosted by Pahala Plantation Cottages, the Ka‘u Chamber of Commerce and Ka‘u Calendar newspaper, the event is free, but donations will be accepted for the Miss Ka‘u Coffee Scholarship Fund. Call 928-9811. Starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, the popular Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest features a cooking competition with cash prizes at Ka‘u Coffee Mill. Entries are accepted in pupu, entree and dessert categories and all recipes are made with Ka‘u coffee. Guests also can come by for a free coffee tasting and meet Miss Ka‘u Coffee. Contest entry information is available at www.kaucoffeemill.com or call Lisa at 928-0550. From 5:30-10 p.m. Monday, observe the heavens from the summit of Makanau during the Ka‘u Stargazing event. The fee is $35 with refreshments and shuttle transportation departing from Ka‘u Coffee Mill. See COFFEE Page 8
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