HAWAIʻI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hale o nā Luna Maka‘āinana FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2024 House Communications: Cathy S. Lee | 808-587-7242 KONA LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE STRICTER KONA COFFEE LABELING LAWS Measures boost economic support and advocate for local coffee farmers Kona, Hawaiʻi – During the 2024 legislative session, Kona lawmakers have introduced bills dedicated to imposing…
Hawaiʻi Agricultural Mediation Program Expands Services to Include Labor, Contracts, and More The Hawaiʻi Agricultural Mediation Program (HIAMP) today announced that farmers in the state of Hawaiʻi can now access free mediation services for a broader range of agricultural issues. Since 2012, HIAMP has helped farmers resolve disputes confidentially and for free. Now, with support…
Aloha, coffee farmers! In this article, we want to share some information about the life cycle of the Coffee Twig Borer (CTB) and how to manage this pest that can damage your coffee plants. The CTB is a small beetle that belongs to the ambrosia beetle family. It is native to Southeast Asia, but it…
When I first started farming Kona Coffee more than 30 years ago the Black Twig Borer (BTB) was already here. Back then damage was barely noticeable and I considered it a minor threat. In fact, I used to tell other farmers that they didn’t have to worry about the BTB at all. This lack of…
BEST PRACTICES: PRUNING PRACTICES-Notes updated 12/28/2022 (Bob Smith) Pruning is the start of the farming year. Coffee beans form on last year’s growth. Three years growth on the vertical gives the maximum crop. Remove suckers on bent over verticals if using the “Multi-vertical” method. The “Beaumont-Fukunaga” method prunes every third row to the stump, permitting…
Pruning Coffee by Bob Smith WHY: Coffee trees require yearly pruning to remove unproductive branches and to make space for new vigorous growth. Coffee verticals have a growth cycle of 3 years. Maximum production is achieved the 3rd year. Growth thereafter is on a biennial schedule with high yield/low yield in alternating years. Approximately 1/3…
Learn how each candidate running for office this fall responds to issues important to Kona Coffee Farmers.