Grow Your Own Coffee in Hawaii (or Don’t!)

Perhaps it’s a dream of yours, to own a slice of paradise, grow your own coffee, and sell it to the world. Or maybe you’re not a big fan of coffee, but you like the idea of living in the heart of an exceptional coffee-growing region. Or…you want to move to Hawai’i and are attracted to a rural lifestyle with privacy, and a coffee estate provides that opportunity.

If you’ve got the itch to live among the coffee trees, I suggest you consider a few options.

This one-acre estate in Captain Cook features approximately 550 coffee trees and on-site processing capabilities (MLS 627862)

Coffee Farming A to Z

If you choose to do it all, there are plenty of resources available to be successful. Local coffee grower associations in the Captain Cook area meet to discuss growing, harvesting, processing and marketing. Most neighbors and fellow farmers are willing to “talk story” and share their tips and tricks. If you’re looking to start small, here’s a great option in Captain Cook.

This gated and private one-acre coffee estate offers just enough land and house to enjoy a rural lifestyle. The current owner has all the structures, equipment and systems in place to grow, process and bag your own…including a pulper, drying racks, dry mill (parchment remover) and a ten-pound commercial coffee roaster. (Not all of the equipment is included in the sale, but it’s negotiable.) You may not choose to market your product to the world, but rather take it up as a hobby…and share with your friends.

The trademarks of this home are vaulted ceilings, natural daylight, hardwood floors…and of course, the view (MLS 627862)

Partnership Coffee Farming

If you’re not ready to immerse yourself in coffee farming, you can opt to do the tasks that you like and hire out some that you don’t. Picking and processing are often outsourced, leaving the growing and packaging to the owner. Or you may like to pick, process and roast your own beans as the orders come in while leaving the weeding and pruning to area workers.

After managing the farm (or not!), cook dinner and then relax with a glass of your favorite beverage on the expansive lanai (MLS 627862)

I know a couple of farmers who manage portions of an operation and are paid a flat fee each month. They don’t receive any of the crop and are simply contracted employees.

Hands-Free Coffee Farming

With an expansive and stellar view of the Pacific Ocean and Kealakekua Bay, you may not want to leave the comfort of your lanai.…while someone else takes care of the estate.

The view from the lanai is breathtaking (MLS 627862)

There are a number of coffee farmers who are looking for land and trees to add to their portfolio (including the approximately 550 trees on this estate), but they don’t necessarily want to own it. So, they work out a deal with the owner to farm and process the coffee and package it under their own label while giving you a share of the profits or a share of your own processed/roasted coffee (or by paying a fixed amount) to lease the land. Sometimes called a “gentleman’s farm,” you can enjoy living on an agricultural parcel while leaving the farming to the experts. Also, there may be some property tax benefits for dedicating your land to agriculture, so you should check with the County of Hawaii to see what’s available.

You can dream about sitting here all day, or you can make it a reality (MLS 627862)

Many Options

No matter which option you choose, this coffee estate with expansive ocean, coastline and sunset views on the Big Island of Hawaii could be the property of your dreams. Enjoy estate living at its finest in Captain Cook…less than one mile from grocery & hardware stores and restaurants…and just 25 minutes to downtown Kailua Kona.

For more information, or to schedule your own tour, contact me or Kristi Despard. We would love to participate in making your dream of owning a coffee estate come true.