2024 Kona Coffee Festival Highlights: Monarch Coffee’s Award-Winning Moment and Celebrating Kona’s Legacy
Each November, the Kona Coffee Festival brings together the vibrant history, culture, and artistry of Kona coffee—a tradition now nearly 200 years old. Monarch Coffee is honored to be a part of this remarkable event, which unites coffee enthusiasts, farmers, and visitors from across the globe to celebrate the legacy of Kona coffee pioneers and the innovative spirit of today’s growers. This year’s festival was packed with memorable moments, from cultural showcases to tasting events. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights, including a proud achievement for Monarch Coffee Farm!
Flashback to our first Kona Coffee Festival entry. Our #1 tour guide was just a little guy. The farm has offered such an incredible space for him to grow.
A Celebration of History and Tradition
The Kona Coffee Festival spans ten days, weaving together the history and culture of Kona’s coffee-growing community. From storytelling sessions honoring early coffee pioneers to cultural performances and farm tours, the festival offers a deep dive into the rich heritage of Kona coffee. This year, attendees experienced the unique spirit of Kona as local artisans and farmers opened their doors to showcase the Kona coffee lifestyle.
Monarch Coffee’s Award-Winning Hydro Honey Process
We’re thrilled to announce that Monarch Coffee took 2nd place in the Creative Division for our new Hydro Honey processed coffee. This special process, which combines elements of traditional washed, natural, and honey processing methods, yielded an intricate flavor profile that captivated the judges. With tasting notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, caramel, cherry, kiwi, and tropical fruit, our Hydro Honey coffee has a rich, heavy body that truly stands out. This achievement is particularly meaningful as it marks the return of our Pacamara crop following two years of recovery from coffee leaf rust—a testament to the resilience and dedication of our team.
How We Crafted Our Hydro Honey Pacamara
The journey to this recognition was an intense but rewarding one. Our Pacamara beans were harvested and processed in early October, sundried on raised beds for 21 days, and submitted just in time for the competition without even a full roast and cupping. Winning second place with such a freshly developed coffee is a huge honor and a tribute to the hard work and expertise of our team.
2018 Barista throwdown at Kona Coffee and Tea
Supporting Quality Improvements Across Kona
This year, Monarch Coffee Farm took another meaningful step by helping other coffee farms improve their post-harvest quality. Abby collaborated with Kona’s Island Sun Coffee, who entered the competition and proudly placed 5th in the Heritage Division, achieving a two-point boost in their cup score after implementing these quality-focused strategies. Seeing our partners thrive alongside us makes the journey even more fulfilling.
A Look Toward the Future
Sal, Abby, and Greg accepting an award at the 2023 festival.
As we celebrate our achievements and the unique culture of Kona coffee, we’re also embracing an exciting future. With our plans to expand roasting and order fulfillment on the mainland, we’re looking forward to bringing our fresh coffee to customers faster, while staying rooted in the Kona coffee community that inspires us every day.
The cupping team at Monarch after selecting the entry for the 2023 competition.
The Kona Coffee Festival reminds us of the importance of connection—whether to the past, to our community, or to our craft. We’re grateful for the opportunity to showcase our work alongside the incredible people of Kona, and we look forward to more innovative coffee creations in the future. Stay tuned as we continue to push boundaries, explore new methods, and share the distinct flavors of Kona coffee with the world.
