Moloka‘i coffee refers to a legally protected, geographical indication of coffee grown on the island of Molokai in Maui County, Hawai‘i, and processed to specific, legally defined standards. Similar to Kona coffee, Molokai coffee is a market name for a product of specific origin and of a defined quality. Requirements for Moloka‘i coffee not only dictate the origin and quality, but also label design and placement on product package.[1]
Hawaii is one of the few U.S. states where coffee production is a significant economic industry; coffee is the second largest crop produced there. The 2019–2020 coffee harvest in Hawai‘i was valued at $102.91million.[2]
In 1984 the company Coffees of Hawaii, Inc. was formed and land-lease contracts were formed with Moloka‘i Ranch to establish a coffee farm in the Moloka‘i region.[3] Four years later, 600 acres were planted with coffee and by 1993 the first commercial harvest was produced.
To be legally labeled "Moloka‘i coffee," the coffee must be grown in the geographical region of Moloka‘i and meet the minimum requirements to be classified as "Moloka‘i prime" green coffee.[4] The requirements to be labeled "Moloka‘i Prime" green include specific quality requirements.[5] For example:
German merchant Rudolph Wilhelm Meyer (1826–1897) grew coffee on the island and also built a sugar mill. "Coffees of Hawaii" is currently the only producer of Moloka‘i coffee. They are located on a 500acres plantation in Kualapu'u.[6]
Trader Joe's introduced this coffee in mid-2008. The packaging, a 13oz can, featured two red hummingbirds on a light yellow background filled with flowers. The can was titled "Moloka'i 100% One Hundred Percent Hawaiian Coffee" and "Dark Roast, Robust & Earthy, 100% Arabica Whole Bean Coffee".[7]