Our Coffee Starts with Kindness

November 13 is World Kindness Day. As the trade winds begin to cool and our harvest season winds down, now is a good time to reflect on what it means to cultivate coffee with kindness. At Kauai Coffee, farming is not just about yielding the richest beans but also nurturing the land and sustaining the community that provides this bounty. 

Kindness is deeply rooted in every step of our process from seed to cup. This ensures that you experience not only the finest Hawaiian coffee in every sip but also the love and respect for the land and community we pour into everything we do. Find out what growing coffee with kindness means to us, and shop online for our 100% Hawaiian coffee grown with aloha. 

Sustainable Coffee Farming 

At Kauai Coffee, our commitment to sustainability means that we grow our coffee in a way that conserves natural resources and provides a safe, healthy, and positive work environment for everyone involved in its production. 

Kuleana

Coffee is a plant that grows in tropical regions around the world, and many of the places it grows are susceptible to the effects of climate change and deforestation. In the Hawaiian language, the word kuleana means responsibility. At Kauai Coffee, we believe it is our kuleana to take care of the land, respect it, and treat it well. From nurturing our soil to installing efficient drip irrigation systems that conserve water resources, caring for the land is at the core of everything we do. 

Cover Crops and Composting

Employing cover crops and composting enriches the soil and promotes a healthy growing environment for our coffee plants. This not only improves the yield and quality of our coffee but also ensures the land's fertility for future generations. 

Every year, we produce nearly 4 million pounds of cherry pulp and mulch from pruning the coffee trees. This compost is put back into the land as a soil nutrient. These methods are pivotal in pursuing sustainable coffee cultivation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, and enhancing biodiversity. 

Fair Trade Certified Coffee

As the largest coffee farm in the USA, Kauai Coffee is proud our 100% Hawaiian Coffee has earned the unique distinction of being triple certified by leading sustainability advocates, including Fair Trade USA®, the Rainforest Alliance, and Non-GMO Project. 

This means that when you drink 100% Kauai Coffee, you choose coffee that is better for people, plants, and our planet. We're proud to display our commitment to sustainability and these certification seals on our packaging to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.

This recognition goes beyond seals on our packaging; it's a narrative of our values and dedication. Our commitment translated into tangible benefits with the first distribution of Fair Trade Community Development funds disbursing $180,000 to our employees and charitable causes throughout Kauai in 2023, making a substantial impact on the local community.

Rainforest Alliance Certification

The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization and global leader in sustainability certification, working with more than two million farmers in 70 countries worldwide. When you see the Rainforest Alliance Certification™ seal on Kauai Coffee and other products, it means that the farmers or producers of that product follow more sustainable practices that: 

• Protect forests and biodiversity
• Improve livelihoods
• Promote human rights
• Help mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis

 In other words, Rainforest Alliance Certified products are produced using methods that promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Non-GMO Project Verification

The Non-GMO Project verification is not just a label but a promise to our consumers. Our commitment to natural growing methods is the latest step in recognizing and highlighting our commitment to growing and harvesting great-tasting coffee without unnecessary genetic plant modifications or alterations.

Contributing to Our Community

The Kauai Coffee Company commitment to kindness extends beyond the farm. Our coffee serves as a catalyst for community and compassion. Our National Coffee Day sale transformed our love for coffee into community support, raising $31,000 for Maui wildfire relief efforts.  

Additionally, the Kauai 50 event, while bolstering physical health initiatives, further contributed to wildfire relief, embodying our dedication to the people and the spirit of Hawaii. Every initiative, every event, and every sale of our 100% Hawaiian coffee goes beyond business; it is an opportunity to contribute positively and uphold the responsibilities we hold dear.

Be Kind With Coffee

On World Kindness Day, we reflect on the multitude of ways kindness manifests within Kauai Coffee Company. From the conscientious tending of our coffee plants to our efforts in community aid, every action is imbued with the spirit of kindness. Our sustainable practices are more than just methods—they are our expression of aloha for the land, the community, and everyone who loves our coffee. As we celebrate kindness in all forms, we hope our actions inspire others to spread kindness, one cup of coffee at a time.