Kona coffee
Kona coffee
Abercrombie caved to big money interest
As an organic Kona coffee farmer who sells half of his crop as green beans to roasters out of state, I am appalled that the governor caved in to big-money interests — from a mainland mega conglomerate that does not only own Paradise Beverages (and thus Royal Kona, Lion Coffee, and CEO Wayman). Sure, big coffee sellers are cheating already, but this will open the floodgates to selling anything as Kona, as “Kona”—which currently means it must be “prime or better.”
The biggest trap all press people walk in regularly is set by Jim Wayman in all of his comments and include the contention that he “represents” hundreds of farmers.
Nope, he buys from them. He represents his billionaire mainland boss who is only interested in profit, nothing else. He is persistent to belittle “the little farmers” and the press (as well as politicians such as Agriculture Director Russell Kokubun) swallow that without much critique or analysis. Hundreds of families make a living this way, not just Wayman and his employees.
Most importantly, and that’s where all people representing Hawaii in some form, make a huge mistake — Kona coffee is still (currently) considered one of the best coffees in the world, and is the Big Island’s — and Hawaii’s over all – signature product. To water it down, to deflate its legitimacy, to degrade its quality and reputation would be a large loss to Hawaii.
No wonder that mega growers in Maui don’t care about that — they are selling their less valuable product just fine. No wonder that some legislators want to equivocate “Kona” coffee with “Hawaii” coffee. Not all sparkle wine is genuine Champagne, not all brandy is Cognac — connoisseurs sure know the difference, but a shifty whiskey drummer would not care.
Wayman does not care because he makes his boss the most money with his 10 percent nonsense.
The key solution to all of this is not to wipe out checks and balances, but to take the money coming in from inspections and hire another inspector.
None of the Big Boys wants to go for that or would lobby for that because they want no inspections at all. That’s what you would do when quality means nothing and quantity, and the quickness of the buck you make, means everything.
Shame on all involved in this.
Hans F. Eckert
Kailua–Kona
Solicitation
Car wash needed
We are becoming a regular community with even two local McDonald’s restaurants. It is time we had another one or two automatic car wash units. The one at the Aloha Station on Kuakini Highway is OK, but it is frequently out of service.
Everyone knows we do not need another coffee hang out but they keep building them anyway.
Ted Myrick
Kailua–Kona