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The first coffee trees were brought to the Hawaiian Islands in 1825 by way of the British warship HMS Blonde. Chief Boki, governor of Oahu, had acquired the coffee trees in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on his way back from London. The coffee was planted in Manoa Valley on Oahu and from there introduced to other areas of Oahu and the neighbor islands. Reverend Samuel Ruggles moved trees to Captain Cook, Kona, on the "Big Island" of Hawaii in 1828. In the late 1800’s, efforts to establish coffee plantations in Kona fell victim to economics. |
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| COFFEE |
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Coffee comes from the fruit of an evergreen shrub, or tree, which flourishes in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The trees produce delicate clusters of jasmine-scented blossoms, and fruit known as "cherries". Cocooned in each cherry, protected by pulp and parchment, are two coffee beans. Since approximately 4,000 beans are needed to produce one pound of roasted coffee, few commodities require so much in terms of human effort. |
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| HISTORY OF AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY |
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In 1894 “Papa” J. C. Searle planted his first crop of coffee on his Ka’u, Hawaii plantation. His coffee became very popular and received many favorable comments from the local media. However “Papa” was but one man and could not compete with the sugar plantations for workers. “Papa’s” dream was lost but not forgotten. Over one hundred years later J. C. Searle’s great-granddaughter is fulfilling his dream….. Aikane Plantation Coffee Company is established. The coffee you are about to order was really born in 1894. We believe for this reason and the fact that our coffee is grown exclusively in Ka’u, it has a perfect blend of richness and flavor. |
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| HISTORY OF HAWAII SEAL OF QUALITY |
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Launched in May 2006, the Seal of Quality represents the cream of the crop of Hawaii’s agricultural producers. It was established to protect the integrity and value of the marketing cachet for Hawaii branded farm and value-added products. Products with this seal are genuine, Hawaii-grown or Hawaii-made premium products, a guarantee that is enforced by the State of Hawaii. To meet program standards, all fresh agricultural products must be entirely produced in Hawaii and meet the highest quality standard, such as Hawaii Grade A, Hawaii No. 1 or U.S. No. 1. Value-added processed agricultural and food products, for which the primary agricultural product has been entirely produced in Hawaii, must also meet the 51% wholesale value-added requirement and be in compliance with all state laws.
In the Ka'u area, Aikane Plantation Coffee Company was the first coffee company to qualify for the Seal of Quality.
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| OWNERS OF AIKANE PLANTATION |
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Merle and Phil Becker
RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:
Farmer of Year - 2006
Rancher of Year - 2005
Cooperator of the Year Award - 2005
MEMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING:
Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau
Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation
Hawaiian Coffee Association (HCA)
Ka'u Chamber of Commerce
Ka'u Farm Bureau (Phil Becker President)
Big Island Protea Association
Pahala Volunteer fire fighter
Big Island Corvettes
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