Rusty's Hawaiian
Ka’u coffee is made in southern area, which is called Ka’u District, of Big island where the island Kona is. Ka’u was known for sugarcane until the 1990s but thanks to Rusty’s Hawaiian it became to be known for coffee production area. Ka’u Classic Dark Roast of Rusty’s Hawaiian is served at high class restaurant and hotel of Hawaii like Alan Won’s or Halekulani hotel.
Rusty’s Hawaiian’s coffee have won many awards ever. However, they faced challenges such as drought; endless experimentation in learning how to make great coffee until their coffee became great. Actually Ka’u was known for sugarcane until 1990s. When the sugar industry collapsed, and the Ka‘u sugar plantation closed in 1996, the displaced workers looked to coffee as one of the most promising avenues for post-plantation agriculture. But there was Kona as a celebrated coffee region in Hawaii. The reality in those early years was they were barely breaking even. Many of farmers were struggling under those situation. But Rusty had a dream, which is to turn the Ka‘u District of the Big Island into a celebrated coffee region. Of course it wasn’t easy. They devoted their farm, mill and roastery to artisanal quality. Under the severe fiscal situation, many of the farmers quit, but Rusty never gave up his dream with his optimistic and cheerful charactar.
However, after a brief illness, he died in 2006. Without her partner, Lorie Obra was devastated, but she, too, decided to keep trying. She had to carry on alone their big dream which was even tough for two of them. She kept trying endless experimentation in learning how to make great coffee, and she had to handle all the labor alone. Finally, after lots of advice and experimentation, Rusty’s Hawaiian started winning awards. The fact that coffee from no-name area got a lot of awards gave people a shock; “Where is Ka’u?”. Hereby, Ka’u coffee became to be known as one of the best coffee-growing locations of the world. Now it became a coffee which is served at premium restaurants or hotels in Hawaii like Alan won’s or Halekulani hotel. Rusty is not here to celebrate the success, but his dream was taken over to his wife, Lorie, and his family and dream came true in great style.
Go to Rusty's Hawaiian website
Rusty’s Hawaiian’s coffee have won many awards ever. However, they faced challenges such as drought; endless experimentation in learning how to make great coffee until their coffee became great. Actually Ka’u was known for sugarcane until 1990s. When the sugar industry collapsed, and the Ka‘u sugar plantation closed in 1996, the displaced workers looked to coffee as one of the most promising avenues for post-plantation agriculture. But there was Kona as a celebrated coffee region in Hawaii. The reality in those early years was they were barely breaking even. Many of farmers were struggling under those situation. But Rusty had a dream, which is to turn the Ka‘u District of the Big Island into a celebrated coffee region. Of course it wasn’t easy. They devoted their farm, mill and roastery to artisanal quality. Under the severe fiscal situation, many of the farmers quit, but Rusty never gave up his dream with his optimistic and cheerful charactar.
However, after a brief illness, he died in 2006. Without her partner, Lorie Obra was devastated, but she, too, decided to keep trying. She had to carry on alone their big dream which was even tough for two of them. She kept trying endless experimentation in learning how to make great coffee, and she had to handle all the labor alone. Finally, after lots of advice and experimentation, Rusty’s Hawaiian started winning awards. The fact that coffee from no-name area got a lot of awards gave people a shock; “Where is Ka’u?”. Hereby, Ka’u coffee became to be known as one of the best coffee-growing locations of the world. Now it became a coffee which is served at premium restaurants or hotels in Hawaii like Alan won’s or Halekulani hotel. Rusty is not here to celebrate the success, but his dream was taken over to his wife, Lorie, and his family and dream came true in great style.
Go to Rusty's Hawaiian website