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One crop is most famous and successful here today, and that is the world-renowned Kona coffee. First planted in the 1820s on this coast by the missionary Samuel Ruggles, the writer Mark Twain wrote in 1866 "I think the Kona coffee has a richer flavor than any other, be it grown where it may and call it by what name you please." |
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Whether the success is due to Hawaii's unique volcanic soil, or the upcountry's predictable spells of warm sunshine and afternoon rainfall, Kona now boasts over 600 coffee farmers along a 20-mile-long coffee belt. Look for the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival every November to sample and purchase the best of Hawaii's gourmet brew. |
