Find Java Jumpin’ Fun at the Annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival Five Activities Over Four Days June 14-20
Find Java Jumpin’ Fun at the Annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival
Five Activities Over Four Days June 14-20
Ka‘u, Hawai‘i Island—Sip, savor and enjoy the unique coffee and regional flavor of the island’s southern district at the 17th Ka‘u Coffee Festival. The annual event celebrates Ka‘u’s award-winning brew with a lineup of festive and tasty activities June 14-20.
The 2026 festival honors the people, places and traditions that have shaped Ka‘u’s remarkable coffee story. This year’s festivities highlight the deep connection between malama ʻaina and the resilience of Ka‘u’s farming families who reinvented themselves to build a new agricultural industry from the ground up. Over the past 25-plus years, they have protected their lands, strengthened their farms and created a world-recognized coffee rooted in community and stewardship.
Festival fun features the exceptional flavor and aroma of Ka‘u coffee and the remarkable people and place that produce it. Some activities are free, while others have a fee. Kindly note the 2026 festival schedule is subject to change; visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com for the latest information.
Sunday June 14
Pa’ina and Open House: 6-9:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Step back into Ka‘u’s history on the grounds of this plantation manager’s home for live music, hula, house tours and a warm community atmosphere. Meet the growers and hear their stories. Complimentary dinner and coffee for attendees. Free.
Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest: 6-8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Kitchen wizards of all ages enter their favorite pupu, entrée and dessert competition with cash prizes. Bring your best dish showcasing Ka‘u coffee as an ingredient. There is no entry fee and all submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Contest entry deadline is June 8. To register, email events@kaucoffeemill.com or phone 808-928-0550 with your name and phone number. Spectators are free; post-judging of entry tastings is at the discretion of participants.
During the week enjoy the scenic and historic beauty of Ka‘u: Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, Honu‘apo fishponds, the cliffs of Ka Lae—the southernmost place in the U.S.—and the nearby Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Stay in one of the many accommodations in Ka‘u, including hotels, cottages, cabins, campgrounds and more.
Thursday, June 18
Ka’u Mountain Hike & Lunch: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Explore the historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and the lush Wood Valley rainforest. Learn how Ka’u Coffee farmers adapted this landscape to support modern hydroelectric power and sustainable agriculture. The journey includes sweeping views of the valley, native plants, waterways and forest life, followed by a locally prepared lunch. $60 per person includes lunch. Reservations are limited to 30 participants: email events@kaucoffeemill.com or phone 808-928-0550 with your name and phone number.
Friday, June 19
Coffee & Cattle Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at scenic Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Find out how descendants of Ka‘u’s first coffee farmer sustainably integrate coffee with pasture-raised beef. Walk among coffee trees and explore the varieties and processing methods employed in the Ka‘u coffee district. $35 fee includes a hearty, all-you can eat outdoor buffet featuring local specialties and Ka‘u coffee-inspired dishes, entertainment and hayrides. Reserve your spot at 808-927-2252.
Saturday, June 20
Ka‘u Coffee Festival Ho‘olaue‘a: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Pahala Center. It’s grounds for an island-style celebration 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Ka‘u Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a—the festival’s grand finale of local music, hula, broke ‘da mouth food booths, artisan crafts and keiki activities headquartered inside and out of the Pahala Community Center. A ho‘olaule‘a highlight is the free Ka‘u Coffee Experience where a variety of Ka‘u coffees are prepared using different brewing methods by baristas 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. inside the center. Free.
Mahalo to sponsors the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, County of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i County Councillor Michelle Galimba. Ka‘u Coffee Festival vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information and festival updates, visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com and follow Ka‘u Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter and Instagram.
KA‘U COFFEE—Founded in coffee traditions dating to the 1800s—Ka‘u coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards. These accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that makes Ka‘u coffee a favorite across the globe. The festival’s mission is to raise awareness of Ka‘u as a world-class, coffee-growing origin.
