NUMILA — Gratitude from the Kaua‘i Coffee management and staff overflowed into the steady stream of people to the Kalaheo company’s open house. “This year’s open house is conducted with gratitude for the abundant support of its community members,” said
NUMILA — Gratitude from the Kaua‘i Coffee management and staff overflowed into the steady stream of people to the Kalaheo company’s open house.
“This year’s open house is conducted with gratitude for the abundant support of its community members,” said Wayne Katayama, general manager of Kaua‘i Coffee, in a release.
Katayama was joined by Kaua‘i Coffee staff members Melissa Gregory and Jon Ching in presenting checks to Kalaheo School for its operating fund, and the Kaua‘i District Science Fair which hosts exhibits from all schools on the island.
Erik Burkman, principal of Kalaheo School, accepted on behalf of Kalaheo School, whose Sunshine Express student musical group was on a three-concert, two-day tour on O‘ahu.
Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent William Arakaki and Kevin Johnson, a science instructor at Kaua‘i High School and an organizer of the Kaua‘i District Science Fair, accepted on behalf of the Department of Education, Kaua‘i Area.
Part of the gratitude also solicited contributions to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, where a portion of packaged coffee sales as well as lunch were augmented by a collection jar on a Relay for Life informational table.
Joining the offering of information, Kaua‘i Coffee hosted its own exhibit featuring the process of growing coffee from field to final roast as well as some of its conservation and energy self-sufficiency programs.
Patrons were also treated to a host of free games, free hot and iced coffee sampling, self-guided tours, and coffee roasting demonstrations led by Roastmaster Mike Shimatsu, Al Magno and Al Tomas.
Highlights of the event included a free petting zoo hosted by the 4-H Club, free horseback rides hosted by the Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association with Debbie Bail as its president, and an opportunity for a holiday photo with Santa whose arrival on his special red Jeep interrupted the flow of people as lines queued for a visit with the North Pole visitor garbed in aloha shirt, but still wearing his familiar fuzz-lined hat, pants, and black boots.
Ku‘ulei Ikeda and Helena Medeiros had the honor of serving as Santa’s helpers, effectively distributing treats to keiki.
Kaua‘i Coffee is grown on a 3,400-acre estate stretching from Koloa to ‘Ele‘ele, making it one of the largest coffee plantations in America.
The estate features a Visitors Center, home of the Open House, which welcomes as many as 600 people a day during its 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours.
Kaua‘i Coffee is a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, headquartered in Honolulu and engaged in ocean transportation and inter-modal services through its subsidiaries Matson Navigation Co. and Matson Integrated Logistics, in real estate through A&B Properties, and in food products through Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co., and Kaua‘i Coffee.
Visit www.kauaicoffee.com for more information.
