Kona Coffee Blog

The Future of Kona Coffee: Why Craftsmanship Matters More Than Labels There is a lot of talk moving through the Hawaii coffee industry right now regarding new legislative updates to labeling and grading regulations. As an estate that handles everything from the soil to the final roast, we want to share where we stand—and why we believe the future of true Kona coffee relies on craftsmanship, not just compliance. 1. Protecting the Kona Name: A Step Toward Transparency First, let’s look

Waikīkī location expands immersive farm-to-cup 100% Kona coffee experience to Honolulu’spremier visitor district HONOLULU – May 13, 2026 – Hala Tree Coffee today announced the opening date of July 1,2026 for its café located within The Lilia Waikīkī at 2380 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815. A two-week soft opening period is planned to begin June 17, offering guests an early preview aheadof the official grand opening. The Waikīkī opening marks an exciting new chapter in Hal

A Lesson from Kona Years ago, when I was running a roastery in Kona, we invited a locally renowned coffee farmer to join us for a cupping. He was highly respected in the Japanese market and sold out his entire production every season to very high-end buyers. His coffee had a reputation for being serious, traditional, and refined—the kind of producer people point to when they talk about “world-class” coffee. That morning, we were already cupping when he arrived. The table was se

Roaster’s Choice: A Collection Crafted by the People Who Know Our Coffee Best At Hala Tree Coffee, every roast tells a story of the land, the process, and the people behind the beans. Our new Roaster’s Choice Collection brings those stories to life through the palates of our own roasting team. Each roaster chose their personal favorite three distinct expressions of 100% Kona Coffee, each grown, processed, and roasted right here on our family estate overlooking the Kona coast. This cu

Over the past decade, the coffee landscape has shifted dramatically. The early days of small-batch, community-driven roasters paved the way for what we now know as the specialty coffee movement. But as the industry grew, so did corporate interest. Large coffee conglomerates that once dominated the mass market began buying up beloved small roasters to gain credibility among quality-minded drinkers. And when that strategy lost its shine, a new approach emerged: instead of buying authenticity, they