Kona Question

[cottagemama]

Does anyone know if there is a Kona coffe Plantation tour available near Kona? Thanks Cottagemama

[spleen93]

There's a number of them but you would need a rental car or a taxi (or a tour) to get to them - they're certainly not walking distance from the pier.

 

You can start by checking out here: http://www.kona-coffee.com/konastore/ - Langenstein has some of the highest rated Kona coffee in the state.

 

Spleen

[cottagemama]

Thanks very much Spleen. I plan on renting a car. This board has been so helpful in planning my trip. I have learned more about Hawaii than I ever could have by just reading books.

Cottagemama

[John L.]

We stopped at a "plantation" which I'm guessing to be around 10 miles to the east. They have a store with many samples of brewed coffee, old equipment used in the past to process coffee and photos and descriptions of the entire coffee process. Their building overlooks coffee beans aging on a large tarmak area. You will not see a coffee grove like the coconut palms. It is an enjoyable drive and we stopped at a state park and saw many sea turtles hanging around the shallow beach water. It is a ceremonial park with buildings and explanations of Hawaiian early culture. There is a famous church in a small town along the way with water color type etchings on the walls. It is a bit hard to find. I believe it was near the park. We also stopped at a post office and remember beautiful flowering shrubbery around the parking area that we posed in front of. The drive is very scenic and almost rain forest in character. You will see small groves of coffee trees on the hills as you travel. The trees need a perfect climate of rain, sun and temperature to do well and that area along the coast provides what they need. You will enjoy the drive. We were about out of time at the store and do not know what was beyond that.

 

John L.

[cottagemama]

Thanks John

 

Between You & Spleen I'm sure now I will be able to find a tour of coffee Plantations. thanks so much for your help

[spleen93]

The park is Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) - another National Park Service park. Well worth seeing.

 

The church is the Painted Church. Also worth seeing. :)

 

Spleen

[John L.]

To CottaageMama: I think you are looking for a Disneyland type tour where a tram will take you through the entire coffee process. I don't think it exists. The "store" I mentioned is the main processing facility for that area. I believe many of the residents along the Kona highway grow the coffee trees in their back yard. They bag the beans and then take them to the store I mentioned. There is a grading process of the beans brought in and they are paid depending on quality. The store then processes the beans for consumer purchases. I didn't see any tour of their facility other than seeing the beans laid out on the ground aging and plaques explaining the process. You will not be disappointed.

 

Thanks Spleen for the names. I lost my detailed Hawaiian maps or what was left of their tattered remains. I believe the church was in the town of Captain Cook.

 

John L.

[Host Karen]

After having a cup of Mountain Thunder coffee at a restaurant on the Hilo side of the island, my husband and I were on a mission to find the plantation and buy some coffee when we were on the Kona side the next day. We didn't take a tour, but as we were leaving, a group in a van were coming in for a tour. You might want to contact Mountain Thunder (www.mountainthunder.com) and they could give you the name of the tour company or perhaps you could arrange a tour directly with them. I believe their coffee is grown higher on the island than anyone else's. I purchased 10 lbs. of their Organic Private Reserve and it's the best coffee I've ever tasted.

 

Good luck and have a great time!

[Host Anne]

Karen ~ 10 pounds of coffee???? When are you coming to our house with some of that stuff? :)

[Host Karen]

Make me an offer we can't refuse, Anne, and we'll be there. :) Mountain Thunder truly is the best coffee I've ever drank, and I bought 10 pounds because it's cheaper than placing several smaller orders (they ship by FedEx). I keep it in the freezer and I'm on my second pound -- that's only drinking it on weekends or when working from home and you may recall Ed doesn't even drink coffee.

 

The plantation was way up in the hills above Kailua-Kona and it's a small operation run by a couple previously from California. If I had known they had tours, I would have made arrangements to take one, as I have never toured a coffee plantation. Perhaps we'll see what we can schedule for our March 2006 visit.

 

 

Karen

[Host Anne]

Karen ~ How's the end of March in Sarasota??? I'll have the coffee pot ready and we can talk Hawaii!!!! :) All while sitting at the pool, of course!

[cottagemama]

Hey Olloikl

 

thanks for the website to Mountainthunder. I went to their site but it didn't give an address. Can you tell me exactly where it is located. thanks Cottagemama

[vacamama]

Go to the Upcountry area just above Kona. I don't remember the name of the highway, but there are several small coffee plantations up there. We toured Holualoa and I still order all my coffee from there. It's organic, very good and they sell several grades including Peaberry. The tour is self guided but the people working there are very friendly. You could probably tour several of these small facilities in an afternoon or morning in this area.

[Host Karen]

cottagemama, we drove up Route 180 until it met Route 190 and took that heading north about a quarter of a mile. Can't remember the road, but we turned right and followed that road way up the mountain. Try sending them an e-mail at aloha@mountainthunder.com. If you're patient, you should eventually get a reply. Their website indicates that they will take you on a tour if you give them a call. The tollfree number is 888-414-KONA.

 

Karen

[cottagemama]

Thanks Olliekl I will try e-mailing them.

[Host Karen]

My pleasure. Have a great time!