From Tobacco to Pineapple Then Coffee
Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative's century-old facility started out as a tobacco business then a pineapple cannery. When the pineapple business failed in 1910, the building was converted into a coffee processing plant. In 1967 the coop purchased it for its members use and it has been used as a coffee processing facility forgoing over 100 years.

Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative began as two separate entities - Pacific Coffee Cooperative and Sunset Coffee Cooperative.

Pacific Coffee Cooperative started in 1955 under the premise of benefiting a group of coffee-producing individuals cultivating and processing coffee in the Kona district. Mr. Y. Noguchi and 100 of his fellow farmers established this group. The group wet-processed their commodity and delivered dry product (known as coffee parchment) to the Cooperative. The Cooperative then milled the parchment into green bean, a wholesale product, and marketed it for the members.

In 1956 Sunset Coffee Cooperative was established and founded by Mr. Takeshi Kudo and his father, a year after Pacific Coffee Cooperative. In this era of processing coffee, Mr. Richard Tanaka served as president for the Coop. With 800-odd Kona coffee farmers out there about 150 farmers established this Coop. The Sunset group produced their coffee and brought it to the coop for wet milling. These farmers chose to do this because of the nature and location of their farms; many were under Captain Cook Coffee Company, subletting acreage, or were allowed acreage under the condition of cultivating coffee to be sold to Captain Cook.

With the knowledge of Mr. Kudo, Mr. Tanaka, & Sunset Co-op they started to market Kona coffee as a gourmet product. Contracting with Superior Coffee & Foods it gave them a break from the world market, which resulted in premium pricing. By introducing Kona coffee as a gourmet product they also introduced marketing campaigns, better milling facilities, and most of all which we still face today, Quality Control. Having established all this, the Coop was the catalyst that had revived the weak and suffering Kona coffee industry. As both entities developed, they found the need for restructuring to increase service and efficiency for their members and customers.

Pacific Coffee Cooperative and Sunset Coffee Cooperative (later known as Kona Farmers Cooperative) merged to become Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative in 1993. There are currently 100 members, both coffee and nut producers. Most member farms are three to five acre parcels along what is known as the Kona Coffee Belt.

The Kona Coffee Belt is an approximate 6,000-acre area running from the 800 to 2,000 foot elevation level, straddling Mamalahoa Highway along the 70 miles length of the North and South Kona districts.

Today, KPFC is 100 members strong and is a major force in production of world renowned Kona Coffee.

Our Kona Coffee
In the late 1820's the enchanting coffee plant arrived on the gentle volcanic slopes of Kona. It thrived so thoroughly in the ideal growing conditions of its new home that within 30 years it had become extremely important to the Big Island's economy. Within another 30 years or so it was winning awards at the 1890 World Exposition in Paris.

Over 100 years afterward, Kona coffee remains internationally renowned for its high quality. The land on which it grows is still lush, and the farmers' hands-on care contributes immeasurably to the increase in excellence of each successive crop. Technological advances in wet processing methods, enhanced by the use of deep-well drinking water, have also made major contributions.

In drying we employ only solar and organic fuels (macadamia nut shells) to protect the health of our consumers and safeguard the environment we share with our neighbors. In growing we avoid fumigants, fungicides, and insecticides. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture's certification of our coffee at the green bean stage assures us and our customers that we are maintaining our commitment to QUALITY.

The Kona Nightingale
Donkeys like the little fellow in the photo have played leading roles in the development of coffee in the Kona district. For a long time they served as beasts of burden that helped the farmers haul their crops to the mills and stations. Some families still keep them as beloved pets that remind them of the old days when the industry was in its infancy. KPFC uses the donkey as one of our logos in reference to the donkey's character of being hardworking and stubborn. We here at KPFC are hardworking and very "Stubborn About Quality", to ensure that our customers are getting the best products.

Visit or Take a Tour
Please come visit us and tour our facility and get acquainted. We are the oldest and largest coffee processing Coop in the United States. We are located about 3.5 miles down the scenic and historic Napo'opo'o Road, on the way to the beautiful Kealakekua Bay, home of Captain Cook's monument.

We feature the finest quality owner grown and processed Kona Coffee and Macadamia Nuts on the Big Island. Free samples and a generous inventory await you. Hope to see you soon!