Quick Bites

Something’s percolating in Waialua

by Michelle Takiguchi | May 24, 2006

The old Waialua sugar mill on the North Shore may have closed almost a decade ago, but it’s far from being abandoned. If it’s been a while since you’ve traveled to this part of the country, it may be time for a trip. Many storefronts have opened new doors in the old mill.

Take a closer look and instead of sugarcane, you’ll find coffee. That’s right. At the Island X Factory Outlet Store, next to the sarongs and board shorts, you’ll find Old Sugar Mill brand 100 percent pure Waialua Coffee.

After being asked repetitively by tourists and others where they could buy locally grown coffee and not being able to give them an answer (the Dole Food Company had been growing, but not selling), proprietor Will Martin stepped up to the plate almost eight months ago and started buying coffee from Dole and roasting it.

Island X (which mostly sells bamboo, teak and rattan furniture) is nestled in what used to be the sugar mill’s warehouse. Store employees give unofficial tours of the mill, relating the history of the mill and its surrounding area from plantation days up until the mill’s closing.

The medium roast coffee is $6.95 for the 5.5 oz bottles and $17.95 for a 1 lb. bag. Only 20 to 30 pounds of coffee are roasted at a time, so each batch is fresh.

Kealoha Nui Street, Waialua Sugar Mill, 637-2624

Celebrating Hawaii, nature, culture and wellness for over 35 years!
SURFER, The Bar

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