Newsletter of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association
December 2014
PO Box 5436 Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745 USA
www.konacoffeefarmers.org info@konacoffeefarmers.org
Contents
Message from the President
Chef’s Choice Awards
Coffee or Tea?
Kona Style Christmas Gifts
Legislative Update
Support KCFA and Your Coffee
KCFA Members Xmas Party
Coffee Cupping Winners
Upcoming Events
Recipe – Kona Coffee Biscotti
Recipe – Christmas Fruit Cake 
Editor- Clare Wilson
Message From the President
“Hello” said the voice on the line. “Is this smithfarms?” Yes. “We’d like to buy 5000 pounds of green Kona.” “Haha”, I replied. The point of sharing the phone call is to remind you that 100% Kona has an extremely high demand. We grow the best coffee, live in a beautiful spot and have the enviable farming lifestyle. What more could we ask for? Good to count your blessings.
One of the KCFA’s blessings is Board Member Chris Coleman her husband Manny Ochoa. They are having a festive Christmas party benefit just for KCFA Members and their coffee ohana. Chris and Manny are supplying the heavy pupus and drink and the beautiful venue with all proceeds from the ticket sales going to the KCFA. Please get your tickets now and come and support Chris and Manny’s efforts to help the KCFA continue its work.
We are also very grateful to the KCFA’s Grant Committee for working so hard and unselfishly these past 6 months to give all Kona coffee farmers 50% off the cost of Beauvaria bassiana-in order to keep our own crops healthier. Lots of time and effort go into administering this Grant, for the good of all of us.
Finally, kudos to our newsletter editor Clare Wilson who rallies us all to contribute and then makes a monthly masterpiece of our various submissions. We are very lucky indeed!
Wishing peace and joy in the New Year to all!
–Submitted by President Cecelia Smith
2014 Chef’s Choice Five Star Kona Coffee Awards
This year the Kona Coffee Farmers Association co-sponsored the Holualoa Coffee and Art Stroll once again. KCFA also sponsored the Chef’s Choice Five Star Kona Coffee Awards with three distinguished Chefs from local restaurants that serve only 100% Kona Coffee! The chefs were Amelia Antonucci Fisher from the Strawberry Patch in Kealakekua, Morgan Star from Mi’s Bistro in Kealakekua, and Joe Forster from Holuakoa Gardens Cafe in Holualoa. With 38 farms participating in the Stroll, the judges had a difficult job and took their time while tasting and assigning points to each coffee they tasted. Most farmers gave a brief explanation of what might make their coffee different and special.
After all was added up there were six high scoring coffees that received the 2014 Chef’s Choice Five Star Kona Coffee Award.
In alphabetical order, the winners were:
Aikane Kona Coffee Farms, Allan Wang
Holualoa Organics, Rob Alexander
Jasminum Farms, Jeff and Carol Seel
Kanalani Ohana Farm, Colehour & Melanie Bondera
Konaroma Coffee, Dennis and Cindy Steats
Phat Cat Coffee, Jean Trueman and Scott Mandel
Congratulations from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association!!!
Coffee or Tea?
An interesting article comparing coffee and tea cites various studies (including one from the 18th century) and concludes that both are good for the consumer and better than water, in moderation. While 1.6 billion cups a day of coffee are consumed on planet Earth, twice as many cups of tea are consumed. In the U.S., however, coffee reigns supreme, with Americans consuming $10 billion worth of coffee, against about $2 billion worth of tea.
Did you know that coffee offers a level of protection from some cancers (including breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer and skin cancer)? To read more of this article, click on this address:
http://www.salon.com/2014/11/10/the_truth_about_coffee_and_tea_which_is_really_better_for_your_health_partner/
Kona Style Christmas Gifts
Remember the KCFA store when you are thinking about Xmas gifts for your family and friends. A nice long sleeved coffee brown “Get Real” t-shirt is the perfect gift for the coming cooler nights in Kona – also, always perfect for family members on the mainland – just $22. Don’t forget about our amazing “Sling Bags”- a great gift for $14 – buy 5 and get the 6th one free! Great for the farmers markets – washable and very sturdy – will hold up to 40 pounds! As always, KCFA is identifying with “country of origin” so our map shirts that show the Kona coffee growing region are an excellent way to spread the message that “if it’s not grown in Kona – it’s not Kona Coffee”. We have them available in a beautiful ocean blue and forest green.
We have the versatile, one of a kind artisan tote bags in 6 different colors: red, purple, dark green, black, turquoise and brown. All have colorful coffee fabric inside and are all reversible. A bargain at just $35 each.
And, if you are looking for a great gift for under $20, our KCFA caps are great.
–Submitted by Mary Lou Moss
Legislative Update
Hawaii County Council Resolution
Following up on the suggestion of Board member Anita Kelleher, the KCFA is putting together an online petition. Through the petition, KCFA members and supporters will be able to ask Hawaii’s legislators to enact the truth-in-coffee-labeling measures unanimously requested by the County Council in Resolution No. 501-14: (1) a minimum of 51% genuine content in any Hawaii-grown coffee blend, and (2) identification on the front label of the origin of the non-Hawaii-grown coffee in a blend. When the petition is circulated, please add your name and ask your coffee customers to sign as well. Kona Coffee buyers—worldwide—have been incredibly supportive of putting an end to the use of the “Kona” name on packages containing 90% foreign coffee of undisclosed origin.
Election Results:
Richard Creagan won re-election as State House Representative for South Kona/Ka’u. Rep. Creagan, who has a coffee farm in Ka’u, gave in-person testimony to the County Council in support of the County Council’s truth-in-coffee-labeling resolution. His opponent, David Bateman, was the only person to testify in opposition to the resolution at the County Council meeting on October 15. Rep. Creagan has been a steadfast supporter of Kona and Ka’u coffee farmers—and his campaign made “Coffee Farmers for Creagan” signs that were enthusiastically waived along the highway by farmers prior to the election.
Nicole Lowen also won re-election as State House Representative from North Kona. Rep. Lowen publicly supported Brenda Ford’s County Council Resolution and truth-in-coffee-labeling legislation. She has pledged to support the interests of North Kona’s many coffee farmers.
Russell Ruderman is the Hawaii State Senator from Puna and has been a consistent supporter of the interests of Hawaii County farmers. In November he was named Chair of the Hawaii State Senate Agriculture Committee—a favorable development for coffee farmers.
–Submitted by the Legislative Committee
Support KCFA and Your Coffee
A great way to support your KCFA & it keeps us working for YOU – requesting farmers to donate green coffee (or parchment) to KCFA to roast, package & sell to the cruise ship tourists – please call or e-mail Mary Lou Moss, 896-4175 and Marylou@cuppakona.com . This is a great way for tourists to get educated about Kona Coffee. We set up a table next to Big Island Jewelry on Alii Drive and give samples to tourists – they ask great questions and they are able to buy farmer direct. It’s really fun, and if you would like to volunteer to give out samples, let me know.
–Submitted by Mary Lou Moss
Let’s Party – KCFA Members Only
We’ve all pretty much made it through our 2014 harvest, (some higher elevations are still harvesting) so now it is time to come together and celebrate at the KCFA Final Social Event of the year. You are all invited to Buddha’s Cup – Chris Coleman and Manny Ochoa hosting a Christmas Holiday party in their home on Thursday, Dec. 11th from 5-8 p.m. Christmas attire appreciated, but definitely not required……………
Reservations required – get your tickets online at the KCFA Store.
–Submitted by Mary Lou Moss
2014 Kona Coffee Cupping Competition
Congratulations to KCFA Member farms Hula Daddy and Moki’s Farm for placing first and second respectively, in the annual Kona Coffee Cupping contest for 2014.
Upcoming Events – SAVE THE DATES!
Annual Membership Meeting – January 11, 2015 – this is the meeting that we vote on any by-law changes we want to present to the membership and also it is when we vote in the 2015 KCFA Board Members. Especially a good meeting for new members to attend. Find out what all KCFA has to offer you as new farmers – special table with this information for you.
EXPO 2015 – you can’t afford to miss this one! January 30, 2015 Old Airport Pavilion – 10-3 p.m. The Kona Coffee Farmers “One Stop Shopping” Day.
–Submitted by Mary Lou Moss
Kona Coffee Biscotti
1 3/4 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons of ground 100% Kona coffee
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter
3/4 cup of walnuts or mac nuts
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Cream butter eggs and vanilla. Mix all the dry ingredients except nuts. Add dry to wet and then add nuts.
It should make a sticky dough. Grease two baking sheets and make two oval shaped logs about 2 inches high.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean. Slice and bake again at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes.
–submitted by Anita Kelleher
Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe 
1 cup Water
1 cup Sugar
4 large Eggs
8 oz. Mixed Nuts
1 tsp Salt
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 cups Dried Fruit
1 Bottle Whisky
Method:
Sample the Whisky to check quality.
Take a large bowl. Check the whisky again, to be sure it is of the highest quality. Pour one level cup and drink. Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one tsp. sugar and beat again. Make sure the whisky is still OK. Cry another tup. Turn on the mixerer. Break two eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the whisky to check for tonsiscency.
Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who cares?
Check the whisky.
Now, sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table.
Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don’t forget to beat off the turnerer.
Throw the bowl out of the window.
Check the whisky again and go to bed.
