Holualoa is a small village in the center of coffee country, about 1,400 feet above Kailua-Kona. The rich volcanic soil and high elevation create a unique environment for growing the Kona coffee bean. Holualoa boasts over 500 coffee farms in the area and many of them offer tours where you can learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of this sought after coffee bean.
Coffee cuttings were first brought to Hawaii from Brazil, and around 1778, they were brought to Holualoa by Samuel Reverend Ruggles.
The town has also become a small center for art and culture, including a ukulele gallery featuring handmade ukuleles. There are many places to stop and try the local coffee and see the stunning vistas over Kailua-Kona. In November, they host the Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll which showcases local paintings, sculptures and woodwork. Every December is the Music & Light Festival, which welcomes in the Holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting and visits with Santa.
The name Holualoa comes from the Hawaiian words “holua”, meaning wooden sleds, and “loa”, meaning long. In the old days, Hawaiians used to go down the long mountain slopes on wooden sleds.