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Kona Family
Produces Winning Coffee
by Les Drent
 
Rebekah Lee with two
of Heavenly Hawaiian farm’s miniature donkeys. |
In 1994, Kraig A. Lee and his father-in-law Rae F.
Young ventured together to start Heavenly Hawaiian Farm
on the slopes of Mt. Hualalai above KailukKona, Hawaii.
With their trust firmly planted in the Lord, Kraig &
Rae went right to work building the family’s two
homes, barn, wet mill and stock nursery.
After Heavenly Hawaiian Farm was well into production,
Kraig perfected the art of grafting coffee trees resistant
to the “Kona Nematode”. In its first year
of production this unique orchard, The Other Farm, won
1st Place in the “2000 Cup for the Millenium”
Kona Coffee Cupping Contest. In its second year, 2001,
The Other Farm entry garnered “Honorable Mention”.
Kraig up to his neck
in coffee and loving it! |
Rae and his wife Sandy invested in a small herd of
registered Miniature Donkeys. Besides companions for
Kraig and Sheryl’s daughters, Rebekah & Sarah,
these “mascots” of the Kona coffee-farming
scenario add their typical “song” to the atmosphere.
Since the beginning of Kona coffee it has never been
enough to farm coffee for a living so Kraig and Rae
are also co-owners of RE/MAX Brokers of Kailua-Kona,
HI and have a seasoned understanding of farms and properties
in the Kona area. Whether you want to buy or sell Kona
property, put their expertise to work for you. You can
reach them at (800) 756-0210.
Harvesting Coffee. |
Kraig grafting liberian
coffee root stock onto a Kona coffee seedling. |
Visitors are welcome to visit Heavenly Hawaiian Farm
and appointments for personal tours can be set up by
calling 808-322-7720. You can also visit their web site
at www.heavenlyhawaiian.com to purchase or learn more
about their award winning 100% Kona coffee.
"Readers
may submit editorial comments to any of our stories
by sending an email to les@lbdcoffee.com.
We would be happy to attach your comments and feedback
to anything we publish online. Thank you for your interest."
Story appeared originally in Coffee Times print magazine and appears online for archival purposes only. Any use or reprinting of these stories without the expressed written consent of the author is prohibited.
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