Dubai – Qahwa World
Kauai Coffee Company, a staple on Hawaii’s Westside since the late 1980s, oversees around 4 million coffee trees across 3,100 acres and employs approximately 140 workers, making it the largest coffee producer in the United States.
The company faces uncertainty as its lease, held by parent company Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group since 2011, is set to expire at the end of March. The property is owned by Brue Baukol Capital Partners (BBCP), a Colorado-based investment firm that acquired it in 2022. Lease renewal talks have been ongoing for nearly two years.
Earlier this month, Kauai Coffee informed state and local authorities that it plans to close permanently and lay off 136 employees between March 14 and March 28, citing the inability to continue operations under current conditions.
BBCP, however, stated that it intends to keep employees on the land who wish to continue working and that the company’s 3,700 acres designated as Important Agricultural Lands will remain devoted to farming indefinitely. To manage the transition, BBCP has created a Kauai Coffee Transition Task Force to coordinate with community, operational, and regulatory stakeholders.
Local leaders have voiced concern for employees and the surrounding community. Kauai County Council Chair Mel Rapozo emphasized that protecting workers is a priority and expressed hope for a resolution. Many employees have long tenures, with some having worked at the company for over a decade and a few for as long as 50 years.
Kauai Coffee is not certified organic, but its products carry certifications from Fair Trade USA, Rainforest Alliance, and the Non-GMO Project. The company employs environmentally conscious farming practices, conserving water, minimizing herbicide use, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Its Fair Trade Committee has returned $373,000 to the island community since 2023.
Private equity ownership and the potential for real estate development on agricultural land have raised concerns among workers and the community. About half of Kauai Coffee’s staff are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, whose leadership has highlighted the risks that redevelopment could pose to working families.
BBCP owns over 18,500 acres on Kauai, including nearly 4,700 acres of Kauai Coffee land that were listed for sale in 2024. While some parcels include oceanfront and areas previously considered for urban development, the company says its priority remains long-term agricultural stewardship and alignment with county regulations.
