Coffee Farming in Hawaii
On Kauai, coffee farming is a part of the island’s heartbeat. Our orchard consists of more than four million trees planted in coffee fields that stretch across 3,100 acres of rolling hills kissed by Pacific sunshine. Even though the 2025 harvest has just ended our work continues and reminds us that coffee farming is a cycle that is always in motion.
Every season on the estate brings something to look forward to. Spring begins with a burst of blossoms that perfume the air with a subtle scent, hinting at the cherries to come. Throughout the summer, the estate hums with energy as the trees bear fruit and visitors flock to the farm. When fall arrives we prepare for another harvest and our winter work of repairing machinery, preparing compost, and pruning trees for another season of growth.
As the largest coffee estate in the USA, we represent one of the most unique coffee-growing regions in the world. We also know that coffee farming is not just about producing beans. It is about caring for the land, people and resources that make it possible for us to share aloha with coffee lovers around the world. Read on to learn more about coffee farming and how our 100% Hawaiian coffee is cared for from seed to cup.
Coffee Trees and Flowers
Coffee comes from a spectacular plant. Not just because it produces the wonderful little seed that makes our favorite beverage, but also because it is a beautiful flowering tree. The coffee we grow on the Kauai Coffee farm is a species known as Coffea arabica. Arabica is one of two coffee species grown for consumption, but there are at least 100 different species of coffee that grow in the wild.
After winter pruning our coffee trees burst into bloom in springtime with delicate white flowers that blanket the branches. Arabica coffee flowers have a unique superpower – they are self-pollinating! However, this doesn't mean that bees aren't helpful to have around the coffee farm. Even though arabica coffee flowers self-pollinate, plants visited by pollinating insects bear more fruit and ensure the six different types of coffee varietals we grow thrive.
How Do Coffee Beans Grow?
Coffee grows on a leafy, woody shrub that produces brightly colored fruit we call cherries. The coffee beans we grind, and brew daily are the roasted seeds of those cherries. When well-cared for, coffee trees can produce fruit for 30-40 years making them one of the most enduring crops on Kauai. Kauai Coffee trees are germinated and raised in our nursery for a year before we carefully plant them in the orchard. The seedlings are planted in nutrient-rich soil with shade trees to protect them.
Harvesting Coffee
The Kauai Coffee harvest season is relatively short and lasts just a few months between September and December. Because of the short harvest window, our operations run 24 hours per day with several shifts to cover the around-the-clock work. One interesting thing about coffee cherries is that they can ripen at different times, even on a single branch. During the early days of the harvest, the team may make a preliminary pass and collect coffee cherries from the top of the trees, and then a second pass later in the season to give the remaining cherries lower on the tree a little more time to ripen perfectly.
When people picture what harvesting coffee looks like, the image of handpicking ripe red cherries often comes to mind. While that is one method, the tools and technology we have at Kauai Coffee allow us to harvest more quickly and accurately. We use mechanical harvesters to collect the ripe coffee cherries from the branches of our trees. These machines may look like beasts but are more like gentle giants. Rotating arms on the harvesters gently knock mature cherries from the trees and into the collection bins.
Processing and Sustainability
Once the coffee cherries are harvested, they are carefully processed to prepare for roasting. The fruit is pulped to remove the skin, washed to clear away sticky mucilage, and dried until they reach the perfect moisture level. Milling removes the parchment layer, leaving green coffee beans ready for roasting.
At Kauai Coffee, cherry pulp and pruned branches are composted and returned to the soil as a nutrient. We also use cover crops to help retain moisture and reduce herbicide use. We recycle the water we use to process the coffee fruit and return it to the fields. These practices protect the land and ensure that the trees will continue to thrive.
Flavor and Roasting
Farming coffee is just the beginning of the journey from seed to cup. Our 100% Hawaiian Coffee remains on the estate from planting to roasting, ensuring the highest quality and traceability. In addition to our location the flavor of our coffee also reflects the care our expert roasters infuse into every bean. We are very fortunate to have Certified Q Graders on our roasting team who taste and evaluate the beans at multiple stages, guaranteeing that every cup meets the highest standards. The result is 100% Hawaiian Coffee that tastes like paradise.
Continuing the Coffee Farming Story
Coffee farming on Kauai is a cycle that never stops. Blossoms give way to cherries, harvest leads to processing, and winter brings preparation for another year. Our work is guided by a team of farmers, harvesters, roasters, mechanics, and so many more who know the rhythm of the land and coffee farming cycle. Every cup of Kauai Coffee tells this story and tastes like paradise because of our dedicated ‘ohana.
Discover the seed to cup difference today. Shop for our complete collection of 100% Hawaiian Coffee online now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow coffee in the United States?
Yes. Hawaii is the primary state for commercial coffee farming, with Kauai Coffee as the largest estate. Small farms also exist in California, but Hawaii remains the heart of American coffee production.
What is the process of coffee farming?
Coffee farming begins with planting seedlings, nurturing them until they flower, harvesting ripe cherries, processing them into green coffee beans, and finally roasting them.
How long does it take for a coffee plant to bear fruit?
Coffee plants typically take three to four years before producing cherries.
What makes Arabica beans different from other types of coffee?
Arabica beans are smoother and more aromatic than Robusta, making them the preferred choice for specialty coffee.
How does climate affect coffee growing regions?
Kauai’s volcanic soil, rainfall, and consistent temperatures create ideal coffee farming conditions that influence flavor and yield.
What is the difference between green coffee beans and roasted beans?
Green beans are the unroasted seeds of the cherry. Roasting unlocks their aroma and flavor.
