Sweet Okole Farm: Cultivating 100% Kona Coffee

Sweet Okole Farm: The Secret “Behind” Their Name

The inspiration behind the name, Sweet Okole.

Perched on the slopes of Mauna Loa, Sweet Okole Farm produces organically grown, hand-picked and processed Kona coffee. Planted in 1990, Sweet Okole Farm has steadily grown in size and popularity. Patrick, the farm’s founding father, still works every stage of the growing, harvesting, and production of his coffee beans. When asked about the farm’s name, Patrick shared, "my granddaughter suggested that I was working my butt off on the farm and there was a song out with ties to the local area; so we came up with the Sweet Okole Farm name eight years ago" (in case you didn’t catch on, okole is Hawaiian for butt J).

Kona RainForest Farm: Providing a true coffee-lover's experience

Kona Coffee Trees on Kona RainForest Farm

Kona RainForest Farm produces some of the finest 100% Kona Coffee the island has to offer, and they do it organically, a feat only 2% of all coffee grown on Kona can boast!

What Makes Organic Coffee Organic?

Well, for Robert and Dawn Barnes, owners of Kona RainForest Farm, growing coffee organically means using natural pest and weed control methods as opposed to agrochemical pesticides and fertilizing their 15-acres of coffee trees with mulch made from leftover coffee pulp. But don’t take their word for it; Kona RainForest Farm’s organically-based operation is certified organic by the Hawaii Organic Farmer’s Association, operating under the United States Department of Agriculture. In addition to organic growing conditions, Kona RainForest Farm uses sustainable farming practices, such as harnessing electric power from the sun and capturing rainwater in catchment tanks for irrigation purposes.

Finally, Red Dirt's Baristas and Keiki Spreading the Aloha Spirit

Sadly, we come to the final post in our series showcasing Red Dirt's 2nd Annual Aloha Coffee and Cultural Festival. 

In this closing post, we focus on our beloved Baristas and Keiki...

Desi was there in the early morning hours (well, not so early) to help set-up...

...and to greet customers...

Ono Grinds and the Crowd at Red Dirt's Coffee Fest

We now come to the post where we showcase the Ono Grinds, and the crowd enjoying those grinds, from Red Dirt's 2nd Annual Aloha Coffee & Cultural Festival.