Hawai‘i Coffee Association conference coming to Kaua‘i

The statewide Hawaiʻi Coffee Association is perking with its upcoming annual conference June 15-17 at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa in Līhu‘e.

The event will include a new Latte Art Throwdown, plus interactive workshops on cupping, roasting, green grading, brewing, grinding and field grafting. Also on tap are seminars on coffee fermentation and roast theory.

The gathering is open to the public.

Marc Marquez will be the keynote speaker. He is director of Savor Brands and a Certified Q Grader who leads Savor’s coffee-focused initiatives throughout the world.

In 2022, he launched the Pono Collective, a series of educational experiences to introduce Hawaiʻi coffees from a holistic approach.

In addition, the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association will host its 14th annual Statewide Coffee Cupping Competition with winners announced June 16. Attendees are invited to sample the top scoring coffee from each growing region.

Competition coffees will be blindly cupped using the Specialty Coffee Association’s scoring system. Qualifying entries will be accepted through May 3 and Pacific Coffee Research in Kona is overseeing the competition. Complete rules and entry forms may be found on the Hawaii Coffee Association’s website.

Local baristas will vie in the first Latte Art Throwdown competition June 17 at Collab Café in Kapa‘a. A panel of judges will choose the best latte art pours as baristas compete toe-to-toe in a bracket competition. This event is open to the public; admission is free.

“This year’s conference offers both informative and fun activities,” said Hawaiʻi Coffee Association Executive Director Chris Manfredi. “In addition to the dozen breakout educational opportunities, we’ll provide updates on the latest industry research, legislative issues and coffee traceability, plus panel discussions on Coffee Leaf Rust and farm profitability. Attendees will also enjoy a trade show, silent auction and plenty of networking opportunities.”

Register for the conference here. Sponsorship and trade show exhibitor opportunities are available and silent auction donations are welcome.

Find the official rules and required entry form for the Cupping Competition here.