Kauai Coffee resumes annual event

Coffee Kalikimaka was celebrated at the nation’s largest coffee plantation Saturday, as Kauai Coffee Company revived its holiday Open House at the site of the former McBryde Sugar.

Kalaheo is the company’s official address but it is located in the moku of Wahiawa, and situated in Numila near Palama’s Pond and an old plantation camp.

“This is our first Open House since the COVID pandemic,” said Darla Domingo of Kauai Coffee. “Our last one was in 2019. We’re resuming the event that takes place each year on the second Saturday of December.”

The air was filled with excitement of the holiday season as Santa posed for photos with a long line of admirers, some of whom commented on Rudolph taking up the passenger seat of the red Jeep emblazoned with “Santa.” It was parked in the VIP parking space outside the Kauai Coffee Visitor Center that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local business advocate Randy Francisco took his turn alongside Santa’s elf in handing out treats to every Santa visitor.

Hiipoi Kanahele and ohana filled the air with unique Niihau stylings while waiting on the arrival of Santa who was still catching his breath from the deluge of keiki from The Shops at Kukuiula’s Keiki Bash foodbank fundraiser on Friday night.

A series of welcome tables offered free coffee samples and freshly baked cookies pouring out of the concession stand kitchen. In the parking lot, the farm tour shuttle rolled continuously with loads of people eager for the mini farm tour that gave them a taste of the dust whipped up by the winds blowing off the Kalaheo plateau.

“We have special fresh roast, fresh packed coffee that benefits the Kauai Hospice,” Domingo said. “Whatever we can roast and sell is turned over to Kauai Hospice who just finished its Memorial Candlelighting tour.”

Specials inside the visitor center, including Kauai Coffee kalikimaka wear, kept the staff buzzing inside the facility whose mascot was appropriately garbed in kalikimaka wear.