A Day in the Life: How Our GM Starts Her Morning with Kona Coffee & Aloha

Ever wonder what it’s like to run a coffee farm, visitor center, and retail shop all in one? Meet Kat—our incredible General Manager here at Hala Tree Coffee. From sunrise sips of 100% Kona to sunset paddling sessions, Kat’s days are full of energy, intention, and a deep love for our farm and community. In this behind-the-scenes look, she shares how her mornings begin (spoiler: with her favorite Honey Dark Roast), what her daily routine looks like, and why she wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

6:30 AM – Morning Fuel

My day starts early in Ocean View, where the sunrise over South Point makes for a beautiful start—especially with a fresh cup of Hala Tree Coffee in hand. My boyfriend is the designated coffee maker at home (he’s much better at morning barista duties than I am!). Soon after, the rest of the house stirs—my three dogs, always eager for breakfast and morning snuggles.

We all eat together, and then it’s time to hit the road.

7:15 AM – The Scenic Commute

The drive to our shop takes about 40 minutes, winding through some of the most peaceful and picturesque rural landscapes on the Big Island. One of the highlights of my commute is passing by our largest coffee farm. I often stop in to check on the trees, chat with our hardworking field team, and, during harvest season, ensure everything is running smoothly at the mill. Making sure the mill operator has what they need for a productive day of processing and drying is a top priority.

8:00 AM – Shop Life Begins

When I arrive at our shop location—where we host farm tours and serve up fresh 100% Kona coffee—I meet with our shop manager, Marissa. We run through the day’s schedule and what’s ahead. This is usually when I pour myself cup number two (or three!).

Then it’s off to the office, where I spend time printing and organizing orders, answering customer emails, and keeping our accounting on track. Once all the key updates are passed along, I review what the rest of the day has in store.

9:00 AM Onward – Every Day is Different

One of the things I love most about working at Hala Tree is that no two days are ever quite the same. Some days I help lead tours, serve coffee, and connect with guests eager to learn more about how we grow, process, and roast our specialty Kona coffee. Other days, I’m out in the field—checking on other farm locations, solving equipment issues, or diving into operations planning.

There's always a puzzle to solve, whether it’s a logistical challenge or a new idea for improving our workflow. I find a lot of joy in figuring out how all the pieces fit together and helping our team grow stronger and more efficient.

5:00 PM – Pau Hana

After a full day, I head to the ocean for canoe practice with my paddling club. This is my first year on the Women’s Novice B team, and I’m loving every second of it. It’s been so rewarding learning a new sport, spending time out on the water, and racing with other clubs on the weekends.

After practice, it’s time to head home to my little crew of dogs, unwind, and gear up to do it all again tomorrow.

Running a coffee farm and visitor center takes a lot of energy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every day brings something new, and being part of a team that’s so passionate about quality, community, and coffee is what keeps me going.

Kat’s Favorite Hala Tree Coffee – 20% Off Honey Dark Roast (Only in May!)

If you’ve ever met our General Manager, Kat, you know she wears many hats—running operations, checking on the farm, helping guests, and making sure everything at Hala Tree runs smoothly. But no matter what the day holds, she always starts it with her absolute favorite: our 100% Honey Dark Roast.

Smooth, balanced, and full of rich island flavor, this roast is the one Kat swears by—and we’re celebrating her with a special treat just for you.

Get 20% off Kat’s favorite coffee—only for the month of May 2025!

Whether you're already a fan or trying it for the first time, this is your chance to enjoy the roast that powers Kat through her busy (and awesome) days at Hala Tree.