2008 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Report
Tuesday November 11, 2008
Things are well underway here on Hawaii's Big Island with the 38th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. My wife and I arrived late Friday evening after a grueling 22-hour day traveling from Philadelphia. I'll tell you more about that when we get home.
It takes place on the opening Saturday of the festival each year in what is normally the sleepy little artsy town of Holualoa along the Mamalahoa Hightway (Hwy 180) in the heart of Kona Coffee Country.
The town was jammed with people, all eager to taste samples of this year's coffee crop from many of the area's small coffee farms. It was also a great place to do some Christmas shopping in one of the town's numerous galleries or at one of the booths set up by local artisans.
I found it really fun and educational to see one of the "lower level" pageant's that eventually lead to the title of Miss America. This pageant produces two winners who both move on to complete for the title of Miss Hawaii. Last year's Miss Kona Coffee winner, Malia Pucong, finished in the statewide top ten.
While the level of competition was a bit uneven, it was clear that all nine contestants gave everything that they could. The winners take home numerous prizes including educational scholarships. The winner of the Miss Kona Coffee title is a key representative for the region's coffee industry over the upcoming year both here in Hawaii and also in Japan where Kona coffee is very popular.
By sweeping all individual categories, 22-year old Hawaiian language teacher, Ku'ulika Karratti swept to an overwhelming victory to claim the title of Miss Kona Coffee 2009. Her Hula 'Auana (modern hula) performance was superb. Claiming the title of Miss Aloha Hawaii 2009 was 20-year old University of Hawaii student, Kelsey Iyo. Kelsey performed an equally excellent Hula Kahiko (ancient hula). It was clear from the start that these two young women would dominate the competition.
This year's competition included several celebrities including the host of the Food Network's Glutton for Punishment, Bob Blummer, and the Travel Channel's star Samantha Brown who was here filming an episode of her current series Passport to Great Weekends. Also competing in a grudge match against Blummer was Kona's own and Hawaii's most famous chef Sam Choy.
Episodes of both shows will air in 2009 and I'll be sure to let you know in advance when you can see them. I have to say that I was very impressed by Samantha's pickings. She was a meticulous picker bringing in a nice sized, dark red and clean basket of cherries.
The locals dominated the competition each demonstrating their own unique style of picking ranging from slow and careful to super-speed, but less careful, techniques.
Needless to say, it was a fun morning on a bright sunny day on the cool mountain slopes above Kailua Kona.
I'll be reporting on more events as the week goes on.
Ku'ulika Karratti, Miss Kona Coffee 2009, Performing Hula 'Auana (modern hula)
The Travel Channel's Samantha Brown Picks Coffee at the 2008 Ueshima Coffee (UCC Hawaii) Corp. Kona Coffee Picking Contest
All Photos by John Fischer, licensed to About.com
Holualoa Village Kona Tasting & Art Stroll
Saturday morning, we were up bright and early for the Holualoa Village Kona Tasting & Art Stroll.It takes place on the opening Saturday of the festival each year in what is normally the sleepy little artsy town of Holualoa along the Mamalahoa Hightway (Hwy 180) in the heart of Kona Coffee Country.
The town was jammed with people, all eager to taste samples of this year's coffee crop from many of the area's small coffee farms. It was also a great place to do some Christmas shopping in one of the town's numerous galleries or at one of the booths set up by local artisans.
Miss Kona Coffee & Miss Aloha Hawai'i Scholarship Pageant
In the evening we attended the 38th Annual Miss Kona Coffee & Miss Aloha Hawai'i Scholarship Pageant at the beautiful Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island's Kohala Coast.I found it really fun and educational to see one of the "lower level" pageant's that eventually lead to the title of Miss America. This pageant produces two winners who both move on to complete for the title of Miss Hawaii. Last year's Miss Kona Coffee winner, Malia Pucong, finished in the statewide top ten.
While the level of competition was a bit uneven, it was clear that all nine contestants gave everything that they could. The winners take home numerous prizes including educational scholarships. The winner of the Miss Kona Coffee title is a key representative for the region's coffee industry over the upcoming year both here in Hawaii and also in Japan where Kona coffee is very popular.
By sweeping all individual categories, 22-year old Hawaiian language teacher, Ku'ulika Karratti swept to an overwhelming victory to claim the title of Miss Kona Coffee 2009. Her Hula 'Auana (modern hula) performance was superb. Claiming the title of Miss Aloha Hawaii 2009 was 20-year old University of Hawaii student, Kelsey Iyo. Kelsey performed an equally excellent Hula Kahiko (ancient hula). It was clear from the start that these two young women would dominate the competition.
Ueshima Coffee Corp. Kona Coffee Picking Contest
Saturday morning we headed back up the mountain to Kona Coffee Country for the Ueshima Coffee (UCC Hawaii) Corp. Kona Coffee Picking Contest. Competitors in a number of levels from keiki (children) to seniors compete each year for cash prizes by seeing who can pick the most, ripest and cleanest (no leaves) Kona coffee cherries right from the plant.This year's competition included several celebrities including the host of the Food Network's Glutton for Punishment, Bob Blummer, and the Travel Channel's star Samantha Brown who was here filming an episode of her current series Passport to Great Weekends. Also competing in a grudge match against Blummer was Kona's own and Hawaii's most famous chef Sam Choy.
Episodes of both shows will air in 2009 and I'll be sure to let you know in advance when you can see them. I have to say that I was very impressed by Samantha's pickings. She was a meticulous picker bringing in a nice sized, dark red and clean basket of cherries.
The locals dominated the competition each demonstrating their own unique style of picking ranging from slow and careful to super-speed, but less careful, techniques.
Needless to say, it was a fun morning on a bright sunny day on the cool mountain slopes above Kailua Kona.
I'll be reporting on more events as the week goes on.
Photos:
Bruce Corker Owner of Rancho Aloha 100% Kona Coffee at the 2008 Holualoa Village Kona Tasting & Art StrollKu'ulika Karratti, Miss Kona Coffee 2009, Performing Hula 'Auana (modern hula)
The Travel Channel's Samantha Brown Picks Coffee at the 2008 Ueshima Coffee (UCC Hawaii) Corp. Kona Coffee Picking Contest
All Photos by John Fischer, licensed to About.com
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