MEDIA RELEASE

Much has been celebrated, discussed and enjoyed over a cup of Kona’s world-famous coffee. Praised for its fine, aromatic and memorable taste, Kona coffee will once again take center stage at the 41st annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival from November 4-13, 2011.

The annual Kona coffee harvest that has sustained Kona’s agricultural community for more than 185 years and is celebrated every November.

The award-winning 10-day Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, recognized as the oldest and one of the most successful food festivals in Hawaii, honors Kona’s cultural heritage and recognizes the accomplishments of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans.

Each year, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival hosts more than 40 special events during its 10-day schedule. Where else can visitors, residents and veteran Kona coffee pickers compete in the festival’s Kona Coffee Picking Contest, or gather in Kailua Village to watch colorful lanterns light the evening sky as Kona’s heritage is celebrated with community groups in colorful ethnic costumes?

Festival fun continues with a recipe contest, Kona coffee tastings, a scholarship pageant, two-days of Kona coffee cupping competition, farm tours, cultural workshops, art exhibits, an outdoor concert and much more.

A sampling of Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Events

Kona Coffee Cupping Competition

A signature event, the prestigious Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition is conducted by a panel of international judges who are experts in the coffee industry. The two-day competition percolates with more than 100 judged entries – each assigned a number to assure anonymity. Judges look for high marks in fragrance, aroma, taste, nose, aftertaste and body.

Coffee connoisseurs from around the world will gather to attend the 2011 Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition and find out which Kona coffee farm will be named as Kona’s best.

Kona Coffee Recipe Contest & Big Island Showcase

Foodies and culinary fans can catch professionals, culinary students, amateurs and keiki (youth) in action creating unique recipes showcasing Kona coffee as an ingredient in entrees, drinks and desserts. The best part of the day? Once judging is completed, everyone enjoys the samples.

Makaeo Cultural Event

The four-day Makaeo Cultural Event gives festival-goers exciting hands-on daily cultural offerings including a Hawaiian Quilt Workshop, Lei Contest, Coconut and Lauhala Weaving classes, Kona Coffee Industry Workshops, Floral Demonstrations and for keiki – the Kona Coffee Bicycle Rodeo, Balloon Artist Demonstrations and Ukulele lessons.

Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll

Meet Kona coffee farmers and ‘talk story’ while sampling estate brews and specialty food items while strolling through boutique art galleries at the Holualoa Village Kona Coffee Tasting & Art Stroll.

Kona Coffee – Pride of the Pacific

Each year the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival chooses a theme appropriate for promoting the Festival. This year’s theme, “Pride of the Pacific” will reflect that.

Big Island artist Karen Delimont captured that theme in her winning artwork. Delimont has been involved in artistic endeavors since she was a keiki. Her grandmother, Rosalinda Gouveia was born in the heart of Kona Coffee Country (Holualoa) in 1901 and raised her family there. Delimont’s artwork will be the festival’s cover art for its publications including posters, magazine and admission button.

— Find out more
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival: www.konacoffeefest.com