Hawaii is the only producing region that offers the opportunity to experience coffee at the origin without ever leaving the United States. Hawaii, home to world famous Kona coffee, now has significant production on four islands: Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Moloka'i. The variety of surroundings and the beauty of these islands provide an exotic backdrop for obtaining a real understanding of coffee production. From the history and culture of Kona coffee, to large scale production on Kauai, to varietal experimentation on Maui and process mechanization on Molokai, to sophisticated research and development in coffee agriculture, a Hawaii tour gives a comprehensive understanding of the diversity of production methods and cultivation.

KAUA'I - Island Coffee Company
Educational highlights include large scale mechanization of harvesting and milling; automated drying; drip irrigation. Kaua'i benefits from the deepest and oldest soils in Hawai'i, a must for nurturing young coffee trees. Island Coffee Company's 4,000 acre site is the largest coffee plantation and mill in the United States. Experience the rush of large-scale mechanized coffee production, in a mill with state-of-the-art technology and equipment.

MOLOKAI - Coffees of Hawaii
Educational highlights focus on the technological advances and the mechanization of coffee processing including harvesting and drying techniques. Moloka'i is famous for mules and now Moloka'i coffee. Coffees of Hawai'i invites you on a mule-driven tour of their expansive plantations and a detailed explanation of their fully mechanized harvesting and milling process.

MAUI - Ka'anapali Coffee Company Educational Highlights: coffee plant varietals and experimentation. Before the introduction of coffee on a large scale in Maui, an in-depth study of coffee plant varietals was conducted to determine which were most suited for the rich West Maui soils and climate. A unique chance to witness the painstaking efforts made to cultivate and process several coffee varietals on one plantation.

KONA - Educational Highlights: The Kona Pioneers Past and Present: The History and Culture of Kona Coffee. In Kona we will visit several coffee farms and mills, ranging from the small size family grower, to larger, more modern farms, as well as the Kona Farmers' Cooperative. The tour also includes a stop at the Historic Uchida Farm, and the Kona Historical Society Museum for a taste of Kona's coffee tradition and history. Enjoy lunch at scenic cafe overlooking lush coffee plantations before experiencing small scale organic style farming at higher altitudes.

OAHU - Future tours will visit the island of O'ahu, home of HARC (Hawai'i Agricultural Research Center) and the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture. These two research institutions are home to ongoing research which has been successful for numerous technological developments in treating coffee plant disease, hybrids, genetic engineering of plants, investigation of soils as well as nutrients and growing methods.