A Barista Story: A Kona Coffee Cup A Day Helps Students Excel

Recently, while sipping a cup of delicious cup of Kona Extra Fancy 'Certified' coffee, the barista said to the coffee patron: do you know that you are helping many students at the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE) in Kona excel in class and pursue their personal dreams by drinking this Kona coffee? The coffee patron replied, what do you mean?

The barista continued: not many people know the story of the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE). Let me share it with you, okay? The Estate was created in 1884 as a charitable land trust by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. She was the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha the Great. Pauahi's husband was a successful banker, Charles Reed Bishop. He purchased the West Hawaii "ahupuaa" of Kaahauloa and Honaunau and added it to the lands they already owned on the Big Island of Hawaii. The "ahupuaa" is a traditional Hawaiian term for the traditional land division, a wedge-shaped land parcel that goes from the seashore to the mountain slopes.

The barista paused for a minute, then continued, Pauahi was very interested in education for Hawaiians. She wanted to make sure that her estate would fund education forever. Pauahi's will established the use of her lands to generate income for the creation and operation of the Kamehameha Schools. The lands cannot be sold. Income from them goes to the schools through the long term agricultural leasehold system that is still in place today. Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE) owns close to 300,000 acres of land on the big island of Hawaii and more than half of it is used for agricultural purposes.

The coffee patron said, this is very interesting. I did not realize there was a royal connection between the Kona beans and the rich volcanic lands where the coffee plantations are located. How many farmers are there on the KSBE lands and what else do they grow besides coffee?

The barista thought for a minute and said, about 600 farmers lease tracts from KSBE. These farmers produce Kona coffee on farms that average about seven acres each. There are about 1,200 acres of KSBE-owned land in Kona coffee production. The farmers also produce macadamia nuts, exotic flowers, avocados, vegetables and some fruits. The coffee farms are a rich and friendly natural habitat for many species of birds, butterflies, ants, insects and other wildlife.

The coffee patron asked, how many students attend KSBE schools? The barista said: over 3,000 students at the main campus on Oahu but many more in the new schools added to the system financed by coffee beans primarily. The bean is definitely important to students in the Big Island. KSBE supports a college scholarship program for Hawaiian students. So, literally speaking, you can owe your future to a bean that becomes a cherry and ends up served as a cup of very fine and delicious Kona coffee.

The patron said, barista, I enjoy coming to your coffee house and drinking your coffee. You give me much to think about over my cup of Kona coffee.

Ready for a delicious Kona Extra Fancy 'Certified' coffee?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
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