Coffee

Hawai'i Island is world-famous for its coffee, particularly Kona coffee, which has developed a strong global reputation for its high quality and distinct flavor. The island hosts a large number of small coffee farms, many of which are family-operated and focused on specialty production. The 2022 USDA NASS Agricultural Census reports that coffee remains one of the most valuable crops grown in Hawai'i, with thousands of acres dedicated to its cultivation.

The coffee value chain includes cultivation, harvesting, processing, and roasting. Many coffee farmers harvest and process their own beans, while others sell their cherries to larger processors. Coffee is typically sold as whole beans or ground products through direct-to-consumer sales, specialty coffee shops, and international exports. Challenges within the sector include labor shortages, the impact of coffee leaf rust and the coffee berry borer, and the high costs of production.