West Kaua‘i SWCD Outstanding Water Conservationist of the Year 2007
Kaua‘i Coffee Company, Inc.
Each year, our District honors one local producer who makes exceptional efforts to conserve domestic water using alternative sources of water and innovative irrigation methods. This helps the County Water Department better manage its potable water supply. West Kaua‘i SWCD selected Kaua‘i Coffee Company as the Water Conservationist of the Year for their outstanding stewardship of the west side coffee plantation.
2007 Outstanding Water Conservationist of the Year Greg Williams of Kaua‘i Coffee Company, Inc..
Pictured here (L-R): Alan Muraoka, Peter Tausend, Lex Riggle, Greg Williams, Bob Farias Jr., Boyd Gayagas,
Ted Inouye, Wynne Ushigome & Faith Shiramizu
With 3,000 acres under cultivation from ‘Ele‘ele to Kukui‘ula, Kaua‘i Coffee Company is the largest coffee plantation in Hawai‘i. Started in 1986 as a diversified agriculture project of McBryde Sugar Company, Kaua‘i Coffee Company (KCOF) has become an estate plantation with annual production of 3 million pounds of green coffee bean.
KCOF and their parent Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. have always used sound conservation practices in all of their agricultural operations. During their fall harvest season, about 90% of the 1.5 million gallons of water per day (MGD) used by their processing plant is recycled for field irrigation. Their use of innovative drip irrigation systems, strategically placed windbreaks and an enhanced nutrition program saved their crop during the recent drought conditions experienced throughout the state. According to Greg Williams, Crop Control Superintendent, the 2007 drought was the worst since the beginning of the coffee plantation but initial harvesting data suggest that production is still on schedule.
KCOF relies on two major sources for irrigation on the farm. Pump 3 in Hanapēpē Valley supplies 17 million gallons per day (MGD) to 65% of the plantation. Water from the well located in the valley is pumped up the ‘Ele‘ele cliffside and transported 8 miles to the lower fields between ‘Ele‘ele and Lawa‘i Valley. Alexander Dam, located above Kalaheo supplies 8 MGD to the remaining upper 35% of the coffee plantation. The dry conditions this year forced the plantation to operate both systems at less than 75% of normal levels. Pump 3 was shutdown for three days each week for recharge while the Alexander system actually ran out of water for a three week period in June.
KCOF worked closely with the Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center and the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture to apply soil amendments to the Hanapēpē system to counter the effects of high magnesium levels. KCOF’s use of good conservation practices have minimized soil erosion due to water and wind and maximized their agricultural use of their lands with the water source available on the South side. They are contributing to soil vitality, good recharge of the watershed and protection of the coral reefs. Their excellent stewardship will ensure a healthy watershed and quality drinking water for future generations.
For their contributions toward protecting the Wahiawā and Kalaheo Ahupua`a, the West Kaua‘i Soil & Water Conservation District recognizes Kaua‘i Coffee Company as the Water Conservationist of the Year.