Aloha all, hope the last month and a half has been good to you. The Big Island has had some intense rain the last several weeks, good for the coffee trees but bad for motorists and some local shop owners in Kainaliu where the road was closed on May 6th due to flooding.

Hawaii's own Pete Licata of Honolulu Coffee Co.  was named the US Barista Champion at the Specialty Coffee Association (SCAA) event in Houston Texas late this April. Pete picked and roasted his winning coffee in a hands on "fruit to cup" fashion. We want to congratulate our local coffee star and wish him the best at the upcoming World Barista Championship in Bogotá Colombia in June.

Mama Makua has been hard at work on a few vests which are now available, supply is so limited that they are not going to available thru the website, please contact us directly if interested.

Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) update....

Unfortunately CBB has been found in a farm in the Kau district; good news is that it is just one farm for now. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture approved the importation and use of two fungus pesticides Botanigard®ES and Mycotrol®O, to combat the CBB. We are using traps and closely monitoring our farm, and have not found any CBB as of yet.

The Variety and Hapa Specials have been extended and we now have a Facebook page, "Like" us and get the most up to date notices and up-coming summer specials.

We at Makua want to congratulate all of this years graduates and wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day.

Aloha,

Stacy Aurway

Makua Coffee Company

03/2011

Aloha all, hope February was a good month for everyone, we had a few new editions to Makua. We are introducing our new coffee grade Hapa, it is a mix of 'Ekahi and Extra Fancy beans. Hapa was inspired by customers at market that weren't sure what grade to buy, so to make it easy we decided to offer the best of two worlds. Hapa is our March special, $10.00 for a half pound (8oz) bag, that's three dollars off the regular price.

Mama Makua (my mother Cathy) surprised us at market with our new stylish burlap vests which she lovingly handmade for us, and they have been a hit! From their first "debut" we have received numerous compliments on how cute and well crafted the vests are, burlap is especially hard to sew because it tends to unravel quickly after being cut. The vests are not currently for sale but Mama Makua is hoping to get some sewing done soon, and we will keep you posted.

Our third new edition is the expertly hand crafted display shelves made by our very own master wood worker Scott Wigman. When I first approached Scott about our display needs I had no idea what he would build for us, and I was blown away when he delivered the final product which his four year old daughter calls "coffee stairs". Mahalo plenty to Scott for his craftsmanship,  attention to detail, and ability to keep the stands light weight.  Boy what a difference! Our coffee really stands out now that it is presented as the high quality product that is Makua Coffee.

Makua is also proud to have taken a part in a fundraising event for hula Halua Kala'akeakauikawekiu, which had the prestigious opportunity of having their girls invited to dance hula in Japan. Makua donated the coffee service at the all you can eat pancake breakfast which was a flurry of flap jack flipping and coffee brewing. Makua sends best wishes to the girls, their families, and of course Kumu Hula Kenneth (Aloha) Victor. More info about Halau Kala'akeakauikawekiu can be found at the website www.halau-k.com

I was pleasantly surprised at market when a well informed and curious customer turned out to be a long time internet customer from Illinois. It wasn't until I saw the name on her credit card that I realized who Carolyn was at which point I couldn't help but give her a hug and let her know how happy I was to finally meet her. I think the excitement I felt must be close to what on-line daters feel when meeting each other for the first time, minus the awkwardness. Carolyn, thank you so much for stopping by, you made my day, I only wish we had a chance to talk story, but next time I guess.

And finally the farm.... mother nature has been gracious with plenty of rain lately, just what the newly trimmed trees need. Pruning was very heavy and the farm looks a little naked but we know it is better for the trees and subsequent harvest in the long run. Another big mahalo to Kimo for working on the farm on his days off from his full time job, we could not have done it without you brother your expertise and hard work are greatly appreciated.

Coffee Cherry Borer (CBB) still HAS NOT been found on our farm. Here is a link to the latest developments in the combat of the CBB in Kona.
Wishing everyone a  wonderful March.

Aloha,
Stacy Aurway
Makua Coffee Company