Our Story: A Coffee Farm on Mauna Loa
Grown in Kaʻū.
Handled with care.
The Kaʻū region is located on the most southern tip of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Our coffee is grown on the slopes of Mauna Loa.
The altitude along with the cooling breeze of the trade winds and afternoon clouds create a long, steady growing season. Passing showers nourish the trees, while the cloud cover protects the developing fruit from the intensity of the Hawaiian sun. These conditions allow the coffee cherries to mature more gradually, developing natural sweetness and complexity.
From our coffee trees to your cup
From selectively picking ripe cherries to roasting each order fresh, we care for our coffee through every stage of its journey. The result is an authentic expression of Kaʻū coffee grown with much care and handcrafted to arrive full of flavor and aroma.
We roast in response to your order and ship your coffee fresh so it reaches you with flavor and aroma at its best.
A dream rooted in purpose
More than 30 years ago, I was working in a house attic where the temperature climbed to nearly 115 degrees. As I brushed shredded insulation from my face, I found myself wondering if there had to be more to life.
That day, a dream began: to create a farm where young people could develop practical leadership skills, strong character, and a dependable work ethic.
In 2012, I was invited to visit some land in the wilderness on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. It was far from a cultivated coffee farm. I cleared a path across rocky ground and through thick, overgrown Christmas berry with my machete.
I felt something special on the land, beyond the cool island breeze. There was a tangible peace that seemed to permeate the atmosphere. Could this be the place I had imagined all those years before?
Coffee brought that dream to life.
Rod HallFounder, Kaʻū Roastery
Harvest with impact
Kaʻū Roastery became a place where caring for the land, producing exceptional coffee, and investing in people came together.
When you purchase from Kaʻū Roastery, you receive coffee grown and roasted with care, and you help us continue investing in the next generation.
Remember the island,
every morning
“I purchased a bag of your Dark Roast at a small outdoor market in Kona recently when my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. Hands down this is the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. And now I am ruined to all other coffees. I have been drinking it every morning since we got home and will be making another order so I don’t run out! Thank you for making great coffee and promoting so much positivity and peace in the process.”
“Aloha! We just visited the island and found your coffee. You were so friendly and the tastings we had sold us on your coffee! It is truly the best coffee beans we have had. We brought some home with us to Oregon and I tell you, the deep love of the land is apparent in these beans, especially drinking it from here. We tried our local go-to coffee beans the other morning and realized, we only want your beans from now on. They are that good. I just wanted to express our gratitude for your business, and give credit to your practices. Mahalo!”
“Hi! Me and my wife been ordering your coffee from Virginia since we drank your coffee on our honeymoon at Big Island. Now, I’m in South Korea, and my wife’s been craving your coffee a lot.”
“Just wanted to share. Found your coffee at the Waimea Farmer’s Market. Bought one 12 oz bag and once home, enjoyed it like few other coffees I have tried. Beautiful rich and full flavor. Wish you and your company continued success, which will come when a product is as good as yours and when it is cradled with love and passion. Thank you.”
“Hello! I visited a friend that lived in Hawai’i who said you had the best coffee on the island. I have to agree. I get coffee beans from all over the country for espresso and the Kaʻū Roastery coffee is the best beans I have had.”