Kailiawa Coffee Farm of Ka'u on the Hawai'i Island continued the winning tradition of Island growers by placing seventh in the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 2009 Roaster's Guild Coffee of the Year Cupping Competion, held April 17 through 19 in Atlanta, Ga.

Two other Ka'u estate coffees made the semifinals: R & G Farms and Rising Sun Farm.

Kailiawa Coffee Farm is operated by Thomas "Bull" and Jamie Kailiawa with the help of their nephew, Lyndon "Baba" Kailiawa. Many Ka'u coffees, including Kailiawa, will be available for tasting at the first annual Ka'u Coffee Festival April 24 to 26 in Pahala. They are also served at Alan Wong's Restaurant and Merriman's in Kapalua, Maui.

It was the third consecutive year that Ka'u coffees made it into the finals.