HAWAIʻI’S COFFEE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER IN MAUI
The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association welcomed growers, processors, roasters, researchers, educators, industry partners, and coffee supporters to Maui for the 2026 HCA Annual Conference & Trade Show.
Hosted by the Maui Coffee Association and held at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and locations throughout Maui, this year’s conference offered four days of hands-on education, meaningful industry conversations, new connections, and celebration.
Centered around a “Back to School” theme, the conference moved beyond a traditional classroom format. Participants learned directly from farms, mills, nurseries, coffee businesses, researchers, and fellow industry professionals—creating opportunities to see Hawaiʻi’s coffee industry at work.
LEARNING ACROSS MAUI
The conference began with immersive Coffee Tracks designed as living classrooms.
Participants traveled to farms, processing facilities, nurseries, cafés, and roasting spaces across Maui. Each track provided a different perspective on the journey of Hawaiʻi coffee—from soil health and production to processing, business development, marketing, and the customer experience.
The Coffee Tracks included:
• Growing a Coffee Roasting Business
• Full-Circle Farming and Building Healthy Soil
• Large-Scale Wet Mill and Dry Mill Operations
• West Maui Coffee Crawl
• Marketing, Business Development, and the Maui Food Innovation Center
• Growing a Nursery Business
These experiences allowed attendees to ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from people doing the work every day.
Conference attendees learned directly from farms, mills, nurseries, coffee businesses, researchers, and fellow industry professional
EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND INDUSTRY CONVERSATIONS
The main conference program brought together speakers and industry leaders to discuss research, business development, agricultural challenges, market opportunities, and the future of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee.
Dr. William Ristenpart of the UC Davis Coffee Center shared insight from one of the country’s leading coffee research and education programs. Additional presentations connected members with practical information and emerging ideas from throughout the coffee value chain.
The conference also created space for an important member information session regarding the enacted federal 51% coffee-labeling provision. Participants heard background on the state and federal laws, discussed known and unknown implementation considerations, and learned how HCA would gather broader industry feedback.
That conversation continued through HCA’s member survey and subsequent Board review. HCA remains committed to transparent communication and a practical implementation process that protects the integrity of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee while minimizing unnecessary disruption.
CELEBRATING INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
HCA was honored to recognize U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda as its 2026 Legislator of the Year.
Representative Tokuda joined conference attendees in Maui to receive the award, share an update, and participate in a question-and-answer conversation with members of Hawaiʻi’s coffee community.
The recognition celebrated her leadership, accessibility, and continued engagement with the people and agricultural communities she serves.
U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda being presented the HCA’s 2026 Legislator of the Year award by HCA president Ryson Nakamasu.
CONNECTING WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS
The Exhibitor Expo allowed attendees to connect with businesses and organizations that provide services, equipment, technology, resources, and expertise to the coffee industry.
These conversations are an important part of the conference experience. They help growers and businesses discover new tools, strengthen professional relationships, and find practical support for their operations.
Mahalo to every exhibitor who traveled to Maui, shared their knowledge, and invested in Hawaiʻi’s coffee community.
CELEBRATING THE 2026 BEST OF HAWAIʻI
One of the highlights of the conference was the 2026 Best of Hawaiʻi Awards, recognizing outstanding coffees and producers from growing regions across the state.
This year’s competition celebrated both traditional and innovative production and processing methods across five categories.
The highest-scoring coffee of the competition was produced by Miranda’s Farms of Kaʻū. Its natural Geisha earned a score of 87.84 and first place in the Innovative Unpulped Division.
Miranda’s Farms is receiving its custom award from the competition Head Judge, Marcus Young of GoodBoyBob Coffee.
The awards reflected the quality and diversity of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee, while also showcasing the dedication required to produce exceptional coffee. Throughout the presentation, growers celebrated not only their own achievements but also the accomplishments of their peers.
The spirit of support in the room was a meaningful reminder that recognition for one Hawaiʻi coffee producer can help strengthen the visibility and credibility of the industry as a whole.
Awful Coffee is receiving its custom award from the competition's Head Judge, Marcus Young of GoodBoyBob Coffee.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE COFFEE AWARDS
Conference attendees also participated in the People’s Choice Coffee Break, tasting and voting for roasted coffees served throughout the program.
Congratulations to the 2026 People’s Choice recipients:
FIRST PLACE
Kaʻū Coffee Mill LLC
SECOND PLACE
Ulu Farmstead Coffees
TIED FOR THIRD PLACE
Greenwell Farms
Hawaiian Goat Coffee
Mahalo to all participating companies that contributed coffee for the conference and gave attendees another way to experience the range of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee.
People’s choice coffee break line up and ballot.
CONTINUING THE CELEBRATION AT THE MAUI SEED TO CUP FESTIVAL
Following the HCA conference, attendees and community members continued the weekend at the Maui Seed to Cup Festival, presented by the Maui Coffee Association.
The festival created an opportunity to connect the professional conference with the broader Maui community through coffee, education, local products, demonstrations, and celebration.
At the HCA booth, visitors were invited to taste some of the top-scoring coffees from across the state. These coffees were brewed and shared by members of the HCA and Best of Hawaiʻi teams, helping bring the competition results to life through a public tasting experience.
Mahalo to the Maui Coffee Association for its partnership, hospitality, and continued work on behalf of Maui’s coffee community.
MAHALO TO THOSE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
An event of this size is only possible through the time, knowledge, generosity, and care of many people.
HCA extends its sincere appreciation to our:
• Conference sponsors
• Presenters and educators
• Coffee Track hosts
• Exhibitors and industry partners
• Best of Hawaiʻi producers, judges, and organizers
• People’s Choice participants
• Committee members
• Board members
• Volunteers
• University of Hawaiʻi Maui College partners
• Maui Coffee Association
• Attendees and members
Whether you presented on stage, hosted a group, poured coffee, moved supplies, greeted attendees, shared your expertise, sponsored a program, or participated in the conversation, you helped make the conference possible.
HELP US CONTINUE TO IMPROVE
If you attended the conference, we invite you to complete the post-conference survey. Your feedback will help HCA understand what worked well, what could be improved, and which educational programs and experiences would be most valuable in the future.
We would also love to see the conference through your eyes. If you captured photographs during the Coffee Tracks, conference sessions, awards, exhibitor activities, or Maui Seed to Cup Festival, please share them with us.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027
The momentum created in Maui will continue throughout the coming year.
HCA is already preparing for the expanded 2027 Best of Hawaiʻi program and coffee auction, which will create new opportunities to showcase exceptional Hawaiʻi-grown coffees and connect producers with buyers and coffee professionals beyond the state.
Planning for the 2027 HCA Conference is also beginning. We look forward to building on what we learned in Maui while continuing to create meaningful education, stronger statewide connections, and practical value for Hawaiʻi’s coffee community.
Mahalo for being part of the 2026 HCA Annual Conference & Trade Show.
Advancing Hawaiʻi Coffee. Together.
INTEGRITY · COMMUNITY · EXCELLENCE
Hawaiʻi Coffee Association
www.hca.coffee
