8 Thursday, May 18, 2017 Island Beat Hawaii Tribune-Herald COFFEE From page 6 Sign up at www.kaucoffeemill. com or call 928- 0550. During the week, guests can visit various Ka‘u coffee farms. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 24-25, you can explore historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and development of hydroelectric power during a Ka‘u Mountain Water System Hike in the Wood Valley rain forest. “The flume hike shows the old (system) next to the new in terms of water delivery,” Manfredi says. “The views and foliage are spectacular. It’s one of our most popular events that sells out quickly.” These tours are limited to 30 people. The fee is $40 and includes lunch. Visit www.kaucoffeemill. com or call 928-0550. The final two days of festivities start from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 27 with the free Ka‘u Coffee Festival Hoolaulea — a full day of live music, hula, food booths, local crafts, keiki activities, educational displays, guided coffee tastings, and farm/mill tours headquartered inside and out of the Pahala Community Center. Farm tours with shuttle transport are available at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. The fee is $20. Call 929-9550. “It’s a great time,” Manfredi says. “We have terrific entertainment and some of the best coffee grown anywhere on the globe. We have awesome local food, a variety of entertainers, local halau, more emphasis on the blues this year, unique events and experiences, and more coffee farmers than you can count.” It’s a great place to talk story with local coffee growers, he says. And you won’t want to miss the Ka‘u Coffee Experience, which offers Ka‘u coffees prepared using a variety of methods by professionals who take guests on a guided tasting from 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1-3:30 p.m. Joan Obra, co-owner of Rusty’s Hawaiian, has participated in the Ka‘u Coffee Festival from the start and was part of the group who helped create the Ka‘u Coffee Experience. “If you’re a coffee lover, this is the one experience that is really popular with those who love brewing coffee,” she says. “Every halfhour, a different coffee is brewed five or six different ways by various professional baristas. You can talk to the baristas and ask them questions. It’s a way to delve deeply into the art and craft of brewing coffee for yourself.” Obra says people are surprised about the variations you can get from the same coffee bean just through the brewing process. “There’s the espresso machine, pour-over, clever drippers, iced coffee … there are a lot of things you can do with a single coffee that make it taste different,” she says, noting that most people find they have one or two preferred methods of brewing their coffee. “This experience is also an opportunity for the farmers to taste their own coffee brewed in different ways. It’s a real eye-opening experience for the farmers, too.” Then, on Sunday, May 28, the final event of the festival highlights the specialty coffee industry with presentations given by notable coffee experts at the Ka‘u Coffee College at Pahala Community Center. The Ka‘u Coffee College, a free event, has become known for hosting some of the most renowned industry professionals from around the globe. Call 929- 9550. “These are top people in their field,” Manfredi says. “Industry leaders. It’s most geared to farmers and the curriculum is geared toward the needs of Ka‘u growers in particular, but all growers can benefit. “We’ve covered topics from farm and pest management to cupping, coffee quality and marketing and promotion. This year, we’re featuring a hands-on workshop on wet processing, one on breeding the flat bark beetle as a biological control to fight the By Appointment or Walk-Ins Welcome! Palm & Psychic Readings LOVE, ROMANCE & CAREER Kamehameha Market 144 Kamehameha Ave. Hilo M-S • 9am - 5pm 808-854-9169 Call Christine for more information Got Chores & Errands? One-Stop-Shopping Right Here Ace Hardware • Keaau Natural Foods Suds n Duds • L&L Drive-Inn Lemongrass • Foodland Keaau Pizza Hut • Subway • Longs Drugs Sadorra Floral Designs • Supercuts Co ee Bean & Tea Leaf KEAAU SHOPPING CENTER Courtesy photo A woman plays in water during the Ka‘u Mountain Water Systems Hike in the Wood Valley rain forest. See COFFEE Page 9
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