MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii’s oldest food festival will once again host more than 40 events throughout the 2012 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival slated for Nov. 2-11.

For easy planning the Festival has separated its events into three signature blocks of Festival Fun, Opening Weekend, Festival Weekday Events and Festival Finale Weekend, brewing a full menu of events for attendees during this iconic coffee festival.

Throughout the 10-days of Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, festival goers are immersed in a Kona coffee extravaganza that includes such favorites as the prestigious Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition, Kona coffee cooking and recipe competitions, barista showcase, art exhibits, Kona coffee farm tours, and cultural events that honor nearly 200 years of coffee heritage in Hawaii.

The award-winning Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is recognized as the oldest and one of the most successful food festivals in Hawaii. The Festival honors Kona’s cultural heritage with every harvest and recognizes the accomplishments of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans.

The first coffee trees were planted in Kona by missionary Samuel Ruggles in 1828 from arabica cuttings planted on Oahu a few years earlier. Coffee and Kona were a perfect match – Kona with its rich volcanic soil, hard-working family farmers, and perfect climatic conditions.

Since those early plantings, Kona’s coffee industry has grown to more than 600 independent farms within the Kona region, ranging in size from three to seven acres.

Kona’s global reputation has been built on its hand-picked quality and its well-balanced taste. The first award, presented at the 1873 World’s Fair in Vienna to pioneering Kona coffee merchant Henry Nicholas Greenwell, set the standard high.

Almost 140 years later, Kona coffee is a premium brand known for its robust, classic Kona profile. Today’s farmers, many of whom are now fifth generation Kona coffee farmers, carry on the farming traditions of this world famous harvest.

Kona Coffee, 100% Gourmet is the 2012 Festival theme. Inspired by the coffee harvest that has sustained Kona’s agricultural community for nearly 200 years, Kona Coffee, 100% Gourmet is a theme worth its cup in gold.

Events and Programs

For 10 days starting Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates the cultural heritage of this world-famous brew. The Festival unites farmers, artisans, culinary and beverage connoisseurs with events and programs that extend the reach beyond the cup, offering arts and culture, entertainment, and a hefty infusion of community spirit.

The Festival’s Opening Weekend includes a diverse lineup of special events that include, Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll, UCC Hawaii Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant, KTA Kona Coffee Recipe Contest , Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night and the UCC Hawaii Kona Coffee Picking Contest.

Festival Weekday Events continue the coffee tradition with signature events including the prestigious Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition, Kona Coffee Market Day and Cultural Events, Kona Barista Jam & Ultimate Barista Challenge Hawaii, Keauhou Resort Kona Coffee Label & Website Display & Competition and the Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour.

Friday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 11 wraps up the Festival Finale Weekend Events with Festival favorites including the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Parade and Bon Dance, Kona Coffee Marketplace Festival of Artists and Ethnic Foods day, Kona coffee industry seminars, Big Island Running Company Miracle Mile Run, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Parade and the Aloha Makahiki Concert.

The award-winning Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is recognized as the oldest and most successful food festival in Hawaii. The 2012 Festival, Nov. 2-11, includes 10 days of events that showcase Hawaii’s unique culture and diversity that support the Festival’s mission to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona unique coffee heritage.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is recognized and supported as a ‘Major Festival’ by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and is made possible through the support UCC Hawaii, Alaska Airlines, KTA Super Stores, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union and numerous other corporate and community donors.

Festival Information

To plan a trip to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, visit: www.konacoffeefest.com

Admission to Festival events requires the purchase of a $3 button, which may be purchased at each event.