Aloha and thank you for reading the Hawaii Coffee Association newsletter!

We’re coming of yet another successful conference, our 21st, and our 8th statewide cupping competition.

Consistent with the industry-wide strategic plan, the HCA is working to implement it's recommendations by redoubling our efforts with a commitment to education focused on quality. We held two separate workshops stressing the importance of brewing and processing for quality, and both were very well attended and received.

Our annual cupping workshop was our largest yet, and approximately 10 attendees had the opportunity to experience coffee cupping for the first time. And the statewide cupping competition scores reveal constant improvement in Hawaiian coffee’s already high quality - a remarkable outcome.

There are so many selfless volunteers that helped to make this conference an overwhelming success - space limitations prevent me from listing them all here.

Speaker presentations covered a wide range of researchers and regulators from USDA, HARC, PBARC, HDOA and UH CTAHR - all shared comprehensive updates and projections for the future. Many of their presentations are available on our website at hawaiicoffeeassociation.com

Numerous vendors were on hand to showcase their goods and services. A demonstration of the latest optical sorting technology was outstanding. These new machines will have a meaningful impact on life in the coffee business in a post-CBB environment.

The members made their selections for a new Board of Directors, and priorities for the organization and industry it serves are being cemented. I hope to be announcing an expanded portfolio of member services in the coming months.

The Hawaii Coffee Association is fueled by volunteerism. I urge you get involved to help shape our industry. Any member can volunteer and serve on committees. I trust you share my hope that our collective spirit of selflessness can be leveraged to enhance education, communication and advocacy to propel the HCA, and the Hawaiian coffee industry to new heights.

Mahalo,

Chris Manfredi
President of the Hawaii Coffee Association

Speaking of volunteers, beginning next month, researcher, barista, and trainer Juli Burden will be providing monthly tips on sales, brewing, trends and customer relations in Hawaii's cafe scene. We're looking forward to her contribution to the HCA newsletter!

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ABOUT JULI  
 

Juli Burden started working in the specialty coffee industry in 2004 for certified organic coffee roasting company Strongtree Coffee.  After eight years in the roastery packing, roasting, and cupping coffee, she became a certified Q-grader through the Coffee Quality Institute.   In 2012, she moved to Oahu to pursue a degree from the University of Hawaii in Agronomy.  She is currently working with the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, The Curb coffee shop and is a full-time student.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Big MAHALO to all our conference sponsors & presenters! To view the presentation, click on the link provided. 

Coffee Growers Report- Andrea Kawabata

Coffee Brewing Basics- Presented by Juli Burden & Patrick Oiye
Research Update on Coffee Leaf Rust- Chifumi Nagai (HARC)

Social Media and Digital Marketing for Farmers- Kelleigh Stewart
Intellectual Property: What you need to know about IP rights- Ladas &  Parry
Processing for Coffee Quality - Lee Patterson

Coffee Berry Borer Research Update- PBARC
Hawaii Coffee Checkoff Program- Chris Manfredi
Market Assistance Program Update (MAP)- Ralph Gaston
SHAC Technical Assistance to Specialty Crop Update- Suzanne Shriner