Read the update from Chris Manfredi, former HCA President, on his advocating efforts in DC.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2023

From: Hawaii Coffee Association

Contact: HCA President Fred Cowell, fcowell@kauaicoffee.com

Photos/captions of cupping judging and winners: ferng@hawaii.rr.com

HAWAII COFFEE ASSOCIATION NAMES STATEWIDE CUPPING, 

LATTE ART THROWDOWN WINNERS AT 28^TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

HAWAII— Winners of the Hawaii Coffee Association’s 14^th Annual Statewide Coffee Cupping Competition and the inaugural Latte Art Throwdown were announced during the 28^th Hawaii Coffee Association Conference June 15-17  at the Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. 

Also on tap was a record number of interactive workshops and lectures with seminars covering everything from water sensory to roast theory. Activities included a field grafting workshop with a how-to session guiding growers for implementing varietal replacement along with panel discussions on Coffee Leaf Rust and Farm Profitability.

“The conference was a success and the overall mood was positive and upbeat, despite the challenges facing our industry,” notes HCA President Fred Cowell of Kauai Coffee Company. “We were especially pleased to see so many new faces from across our industry that represented a broader spectrum than just growers and processors.”

Headlining the program was a keynote by Certified Q Grader Marc Marquez of Savor Brands and the election of HCA’s Board of Directors. New to the event was a beverage cart serving espresso favorites for attendees.

“Our workshops, seminars, presentations and vendor displays were specifically relevant to the challenges facing our industry,” adds Cowell. “The teamwork of the organizers was evident from start to finish; many mahalos to everyone involved.”

Statewide Cupping Competition Results

Sixty-eight entries, down from 94 in 2022, vied in the 14^th Statewide Hawaii Coffee Association Cupping Competition. Brittany Horn, HCA cupping committee chair and co-owner of Pacific Coffee Research (PCR), notes this year’s lower turnout  is likely due to increasing challenges during this past harvest season. 

“Growers are facing labor shortages, unpredictable weather and climate changes, plus increasing costs of inputs, lower yields and quality due to Coffee Leaf Rust and Berry Borer,” explains Horn. “Yet there were gems that shined bright in this competition.” 

The top-scoring coffee with 87 points was a Kona-grown parchment-dried (washed process without use of commercial yeast inoculants) Red Bourbon variety produced by Kopiko Farm. Miranda Farms, of the Ka’u District, entered a parchment-dried Gesha variety placing second with a score of 86.75.  Greenwell Farms of Kona earned a score of 86.35 with a fruit-dried (natural process) Gesha variety.

The top 10 highest scoring coffees were recognized and awards were also presented to the top coffees produced in Hawaii Department of Agriculture-recognized growing regions located throughout the islands. Top placing coffees by district included Kamaole Ranch of Maui, earning 84.60 with a Red Catuai variety. On Oahu, Maunawili Coffee’s Bourbon variety earned 83.50 while Hog Heaven Coffee’s Typica variety of Hamakua earned 81.70. 

“There is no doubt that challenges will be present in an ever-changing environment but growers who remain open, adaptable and curious, while sharing in each other’s successes, will provide the path forward for the Hawaii Coffee community,” emphasizes Horn. “I encourage all entrants to utilize the abundant resources that exist in Hawaii—our universities, our scientists, our professionals and each other— as we continue to navigate.”

Kona-based PCR organized the competition utilizing a judging panel composed of local licensed Q graders led by Madeleine Longoria Garcia, PCR co-owner. Other judges included Alaka'i Kapanui, head roaster at PCR; Marc Marquez, coffee director at Savor Brands; Eric Musil, equipment technician at PCR; and Alex Brooks, independent post-harvest processing consultant. Horn served as head competition facilitator and was assisted by Meg Duka and Elizabeth Pietras.

The panel employed the standard Specialty Coffee Association’s cupping methodology and scoring format. The precise and blind judging is a form of scientific sensory analysis where coffees are evaluated and scored based on a variety of subtle characteristics: flavor, aroma, acidity, aftertaste, body, balance, overall cup experience, presence of sweetness, lack of defect and uniformity.

Baristas Vie in Inaugural Throwdown Competition

The conference concluded with the Latte Art Throwdown and closing party at Collab Café where participants created beverages judged on creativity, taste and presentation by Tim Kilby of La Marzocco, Carl Wigren of Kona Bae Farm and Madeleine Longoria Garcia of PCR. Earning the top three awards in order were Daryl Fukunaga of Oahu, Kymmi Towey of Kauai and Kyla Villamor of Oahu.

“The Throwdown was off da hook with lots of knowledge bombs from the folks from LaMarzocco USA, Urnex and the Coffee Tech Guild,” says Ben Fitt of Collab Café.

New Board of Directors Named

The 2023-24 HCA Board of Directors features representation spanning a variety of businesses positioned throughout the coffee supply chain including growers, processors, wholesalers, roasters and retailers. They include Fred Cowell of Kauai Coffee Company, Tom Greenwell of Greenwell Farms, Abby Munoz of Monarch Coffee, Bill Dwyer of Kona Mountain Coffee, Chris Speere of the Maui Coffee Assoc., Juli Burden of the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center, Kelleigh Stewart of Big Island Coffee Roasters, Dave Bateman of Heavenly Hawaiian Farms, Ryson Nakamasu of Honolulu Coffee Company, Kimo Falconer of Hawaii Coffee Growers Assoc., Suzanne Shriner of Kona Coffee Farmers Assoc., Ferrell Daste of Kona Hills, Gerard Bastiaanse of Hawaii Coffee Company, Donna Woolley of Island Sun and Alla Kostenko of A Coffee Fam.

Conference exhibitors included American AgCredit, Bendig, CenterScale, University of Hawaii CTAHR, Delta Technology Corp., FedEx, Gearmore, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Lind Insurance, NorthShore Creative Group, Nutrien Ag, Satake, Simplot, USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office, Veritiv Corp. and Weco. 

Major sponsors of the HCA Conference were Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Gowan, County of Kauai, Simplot, BadAss Coffee, Chris Manfredi, Kauai Coffee, Mahi Pono, Roast Magazine, Wecotek, American AgCredit, Big Island Coffee Roasters, FedEx, Honolulu Coffee, Ka‘u Coffee Mill, KTA, LaMarzocco, Matson, RCIS, Satake, Savor Brands, Flavor Waves, Kona Hills and Outpost Coffee. 

Complete results for the cupping competition are posted at Cupping Competition Winners.

The Hawaii Coffee Association’s mission is to represent all sectors of the Hawaii coffee industry, including growers, millers, wholesalers, roasters and retailers. The HCA’s primary objective is to increase awareness and consumption of Hawaiian coffees.  A major component of HCA’s work is the continuing education of members and consumers. Its annual conference has continued to grow, gaining international attention.

Learn more about the HCA at www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org

 

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Info to be included with distributed photos:
Rick Merker of Maunawili Coffee is the Oahu District winner of the HCA Statewide Cupping Competition. Photo by Mariah L. Standal, courtesy of Hawaii Coffee Association

Rob Lind of Kamaole Ranch is the Maui District winner of the HCA Statewide Cupping Competition. Photo by Mariah L. Standal, courtesy of Hawaii Coffee Association

Top HCA Statewide Cupping Competition finishers in the Hawaii Island Kau District are from left: Delvin Navarro, Navarro Farms; Leo Norberte, JN Farms; and Berta and Jose Miranda, Miranda Farms. Photo by Mariah L. Standal, courtesy of Hawaii Coffee Association

Top HCA Statewide Cupping Competition finishers in the Hawaii Island Kona District are from left: Tom Greenwell, Kopiko Farm; Susy Spradlin-Stille and Greg Stille, Monarch Coffee; and Ben Greenwell, Greenwell Farms. Photo by Mariah L. Standal, courtesy of Hawaii Coffee Association

Winners of the HCA Latte Art Throwdown on Kauai are from front left: Daryl Fukunaga, Kymmi Towey and Kyla Villamor. Judging the new competition were from back left: Tim Kilby of LaMarzocco, Carl Wigren of Kona Bae Farm, and Madeleine Longoria Garcia of PCR. Photo by Mariah L. Standal, courtesy of Hawaii Coffee Association

A panel of five licensed Q graders judged the HCA 14^th Statewide Cupping Competition using the standard Specialty Coffee Association’s cupping methodology and scoring format. Photo by Mariah L. Standal, courtesy of Hawaii Coffee Association

February 10, 2023 – The National Coffee Association (NCA), World Coffee Research (WCR), the Synergistic Hawaii Agricultural Council (SHAC), and the Hawaii Coffee Association (HCA) applaud the Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act (CPHIAA, H.R. 965) introduced Thursday by Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) along with Reps. Jenniffer González-Colón (P.R.), Ed Case (HI-01), and Garret Graves (LA-06) and Sens. Mazie Hirono (HI) and Brian Schatz (HI). The amendment authorizes research to combat pests and diseases that threaten coffee supplies and farmers by expanding the scope of an existing initiative at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The $225 billion U.S. coffee sector and more than 1.6 million U.S. jobs rely on coffee supplies from around the world. Coffee growers in Hawaii and Puerto Rico that supply the lucrative specialty coffee market in the United States, as well as growers in low-income countries, are particularly vulnerable to pests and disease. The CPHIAA will accelerate agricultural research to help overcome these challenges while maintaining flavor and quality. 

“More Americans (66% of adults) drink coffee each day than any other beverage,” said William “Bill” Murray, President and CEO of the NCA. “As agricultural research and development plays a key role in the future of America’s favorite beverage, NCA urges Congress to advance legislation that prioritizes coffee as a key contributor to Americans’ daily lives, farmers’ livelihoods, and the U.S. economy.”    

“From Kona to Maui to Mayaguez, coffee is woven into our island cultures and drives over $500 million in benefits to our communities,” said Suzanne Shriner, Administrator of SHAC. “Hawaiian growers have been devastated by diseases such as leaf rust, which arrived in 2020 and cut crop yields in half after causing $1 billion in damages globally and forcing farm workers, particularly in Central America, to abandon farms and even migrate. This bill focuses needed research attention on our biggest problems, while helping our small farmers stay in business.”[MSM1] 

“We are proud to support the Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act,” said Chris Manfredi, Executive Director of the HCA. “This important legislation will help Hawaii target resources toward the most immediate threats to our coffee. By also anticipating future threats, it will enable researchers to quickly pivot as they emerge and ensure the survival of one of Hawaii’s most important crops.” 

“The mainland coffee industry in the U.S. will also benefit from this legislation and resulting research,” said Vern Long, CEO of World Coffee Research. “U.S. coffee businesses and drinkers rely on coffee grown around the world. CPHIAA will enable much-needed research at a time when coffee is under severe strain. Public research aligned with industry needs is critical to securing the future of coffee.” [MSM2] 

Legislators are seeking to include the CPHIAA in the 2023 Farm Bill to amend a program established in the 1990 Farm Bill that focused exclusively on the coffee berry borer pest.

 [MSM1]Suggest shortening each quote and distributing key messages across them, for length and to avoid redundancy.

“From Kona to Maui to Mayaguez, coffee is woven into our island cultures and provides more than $500 million in benefits to our communities. Coffee leaf rust arrived to Hawaii in 2020 and cut crop yields in half. It has caused $1 billion in damage globally and forced coffee farmers, particularly in Latin America, to abandon their farms and even to leave their countries.” 

 [MSM2]U.S. coffee business and coffee drinkers rely on coffee grown in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and on 25 million smallholder farms around the world. Passing CPHIAA is critical to enable public research aligned with private sector and grower expertise and priorities.” 

CPHIAA joint press release.pdf

 

What: The Best of Ka‘ū Coffee Auction: A private auction of specialty coffees grown in Ka‘ū District, Hawaii Island

Hosted by: The Alliance for Coffee Excellence and Isla Custom Coffees

Where: For samples and online auction details, visit https://allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org/best-of-kau-coffee/

When: June 15, 2023

On June 15, 2023, Isla Custom Coffees and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) will hold the first auction devoted to beans from one of Hawaii’s best-kept secrets: the Ka‘ū District on Hawaii Island.

“We are thrilled to introduce the first regional coffee auction from Hawaii, as well as the first cupping competition exclusively for Ka‘ū growers,” says R. Miguel Meza, Isla’s founder. “As we have grown our Private Auction Collection program since its inception in 2014m we are excited to work with diverse coffee origins and this partnership with Best of Ka‘ū is a great match says, Executive Director of Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Darrin Daniel. 

It has been more than 15 years since green beans from Ka‘ū made a splash in the international coffee scene. From 2007-2012, Ka‘ū growers regularly scored in the top 10 of the Coffees of the Year (COTY) events. Organized by the Roasters Guild of America, COTY was among the most prestigious worldwide cupping competitions.

Since COTY’s end, there hasn’t been a competition to demonstrate the quality of Ka‘ū green beans to an international audience. Isla is proud to partner with ACE in selecting and sharing the best coffees this region has to offer. After more than a decade of sourcing Hawaii grown specialty coffees for importers and roasters, Isla has a deep network of Ka‘ū farmers — including ones who have scored highly in COTY events and the Hawaii Coffee Association's statewide cupping competitions.

This marks the second coffee auction that Isla will hold with ACE, building on the successful 2021 Hawaii Specialty Coffee Auction. In March of 2021, Isla worked with its best producers to showcase 16 micro-lots from the Kona and Ka‘ū Districts of Hawaii Island. All were selected for auction by a panel of 18 Cup of Excellence judges from 6 different countries, which are known as a Global Coffee Centers (GCCs)

About The Alliance for Coffee Excellence

Alliance for Coffee Excellence is a global non-profit membership-based organization that brings together the global marketplace in order to create a more transparent and sustainable economic future for high-quality farmers. ACE manages a Global Coffee Center Education Lab, Cup of Excellence samples and Private Collection Auctions. Adhering to ACE’s mission of rewarding exemplary coffee farmers, ACE Private Collection Auctions is a curation of auctions with organizations and farmers who best exemplify ACE’s standards with Cup of Excellence programming. For more information about membership and to register for samples and auctions please visit allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org. 

Contact:
Kathia Lopez Rosa. 

Auction Manager 
Alliance for Coffee Excellence
kathia@cupofexcellence.org

Presented by the Ka‘u Coffee Festival and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, “The History of Ka‘u Coffee” shares the pioneering spirit and challenges of coffee growers in the state’s largest agricultural region that sprawls windward to leeward on the southern half of Hawai‘i Island.

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