Big Island Coffee Roasters: Hilo's 100% Hawaiian-Grown Specialists
Big Island Coffee Roasters was founded in 2010 when two transplants from Portland, Oregon bought a coffee farm in Puna with no prior industry experience and built it into an award-winning Hawaiian coffee company. Today the roaster and cafe operate out of a coastal facility in historic Hilo, sourcing from roughly two dozen local farmers and putting millions of dollars directly into the hands of Hawaiian growers — a sourcing model unlike almost anything else in specialty coffee, since every coffee in the catalog is grown on the Hawaiian Islands rather than imported.
That domestic-only focus is the brand's defining feature: the catalog draws exclusively from Kona, Ka'u, and Maui, spanning washed, natural, and honey-processed lots across a genuinely wide roast range — from bright, medium-light offerings to fully developed dark roasts. A five-coffee blend program complements the single origins, layering different Hawaiian growing regions together for consistency and depth. Expect the classic Hawaiian coffee signature throughout: nutty, buttery, and caramel-forward sweetness with low acidity and a full, syrupy body, occasionally brightened by tropical fruit and floral notes in the lighter-roasted lots. Use CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation feature to find the Hawaiian-grown coffee that matches your preferred roast and body.
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maui Mana | Dark | Dark chocolatetoasted nutsgolden raisinberriesred apple | $27.00 |
| Maui Mellow | Medium Light | caramelpeanut butterchamomilecocoared applesoft citrusmilk chocolateroasted almondgolden raisinorange blossomtoasted nutvanilla | $27.00 |
| Kona Bloom | Medium Light | apricotHoneybuttercacaotoffeepeachjasminestone fruitnougat | $42.00 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ka'u Darkwood | Dark | Fudgehazelnutblackberrymolassesdark chocolatesprucevanilla | $35.00 |
| Wai Meli Morning Blend | Medium | hazelnutbergamotchrysanthemumbuttery caramelcashewmochadatesmineral | $30.00 |
| Hawaiian Harmony | Medium Dark | datewarm spicewhiskytoasted caramelButterscotchcocoadark chocolatenutmeg | $37.00 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Big Island's roast range is genuinely wide — light-medium offerings sit alongside fully dark-roasted options, giving drinkers real choice within a catalog defined more by its growing region than by a single house roast style. Flavor themes lean toward comfort and richness: caramel, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, honey, and warm baking spice recur across both the single origins and blends, with tropical fruit and floral notes emerging in the lighter, honey- and washed-processed lots. Acidity trends low to medium throughout, while body is consistently medium-to-full and often syrupy — a hallmark of Hawaiian-grown coffee's volcanic-soil terroir. Pricing reflects the rarity of domestically grown, low-volume Hawaiian coffee, running from about $27 to $49 for 10oz bags, meaningfully higher than the imported-origin norm elsewhere in the CoffeeByMe catalog.
Why Buy Big Island Coffee Roasters
100% Hawaiian-grown catalog: Every coffee comes from Kona, Ka'u, or Maui — a genuinely rare, domestic-only sourcing model that sets Big Island apart from every import-based roaster in the catalog.
Farmer-direct impact: The roastery sources from around two dozen local growers, putting substantial direct revenue into Hawaii's coffee farming community.
Wide roast range in one region: From medium-light to fully dark, the catalog offers real roast-level variety without leaving Hawaiian terroir.
Signature low-acid, full-body character: Nutty, chocolatey, caramel-forward cups with low acidity make this a strong match for drinkers who prefer smooth, rich coffee over high-acid brightness. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendations help you find the right Hawaiian region and roast level for your palate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Island Coffee Roasters located?
Big Island Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster based in Hilo, HI.
What does Big Island Coffee Roasters specialize in?
Big Island's roast range is genuinely wide — light-medium offerings sit alongside fully dark-roasted options, giving drinkers real choice within a catalog defined more by its growing region than by a single house roast style.
Where can I buy Big Island Coffee Roasters coffee?
You can browse Big Island Coffee Roasters's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Big Island Coffee Roasters's own website.
