The Lion Coffee Factory is located in the Kalihi area of Hawaii.
Lion Coffee is the most well-known brand in Hawaii, boasting the largest scale and most impressive track record. Just as its packaging suggests, it truly is the king of coffees!
When thinking of Hawaiian souvenirs, chocolate and macadamia nuts come to mind, but coffee is also an extremely popular choice.
With its warm year-round climate and iron-rich, slightly acidic red soil formed by volcanic eruptions, Hawaii offers the perfect environment for coffee cultivation.
At the factory, visitors can see how coffee is made and sample various brews, making it a very popular tourist spot for coffee lovers!
The History of Lion Coffee
While there are many coffee brands in Hawaii, Lion Coffee is the oldest and most famous of them all.
Originally founded in 1864 in Toledo, Ohio, the brand established itself as the second-largest coffee company in the world by the 1890s in terms of status and recognition.
However, the company later faced significant internal issues and went bankrupt in the 1950s.
Lion Coffee disappeared from the market for a while, but a major turning point came in 1979 when a Hawaiian company acquired the brand.
With Kona coffee from the Big Island becoming one of the “world’s top three coffee beans” and flavored coffees becoming a hit with tourists visiting Hawaii, the brand was able to make a comeback as a Hawaiian icon.
Although, it’s worth noting that most Lion Coffee products are blends of beans from Brazil and Colombia.
The company has thrived since, even being named one of America’s 500 fastest-growing companies in 1989.
Incidentally, Lion Coffee, Royal Kona Coffee, and Hawaiian Islands Tea are all operated by a single company called the Hawaii Coffee Company.
The Lion Coffee Factory is where this company is based, and it also features the Lion Cafe where you can enjoy their coffee.
The Lion Coffee Factory Tour
Factory tours are held twice a day on weekdays (Monday to Friday), from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM and from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.
The tour starting at 10:30 AM is conducted in Japanese!
Please note that the 12:30 PM tour is conducted in English only.
No appointments are necessary; just be sure to arrive about 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Once you arrive at the factory, you can sign up for the tour at the back of the shop.
You’ll be all set for the tour after putting on a printed sticker and a hairnet.
While waiting for the tour to begin, you can pass the time by sampling different flavors at the factory’s cafe or browsing the products in the shop!
A Report on the Lion Coffee Tour
I recently took the factory tour, and I’d like to share the details of my experience!
The Factory Warehouse Piled High with Coffee
Upon entering the factory, the first thing you’ll see is a warehouse with mountains of carefully selected coffee beans from all over the world.
Founded in 1864, the Hawaii Coffee Company is one of America’s oldest coffee companies, so its scale extends far beyond just beans harvested in Hawaii.
This is why Lion Coffee and Royal Kona Coffee are some of the most affordable options in Hawaii—they are blended with coffee beans from various countries.
Perhaps it’s this combination of affordability and delicious taste that keeps them consistently ranked as a favorite in Hawaii!
The Giant Roasting Machine
The coffee beans are placed in a giant circular machine and roasted as it spins.
At this stage, the fragrant aroma of coffee fills the air.
When the beans are roasted for just the right amount of time, it’s called a “medium roast,” resulting in the familiar brown coffee beans you often see in products.
Roasting for a longer time creates a “dark roast,” which produces darker beans with a stronger aroma.
In Hawaii, you’ll also find many “light roast” products, which have a shorter roasting time.
The drying method also changes the final product!
The “natural process,” where the coffee cherries are dried whole, results in a richer, deeper flavor.
The “washed process,” where only the bean is extracted and dried, creates a cleaner, lighter-bodied coffee that’s easy to drink.
It’s amazing how the same coffee beans can become completely different products depending on these methods!
In addition to roasting and drying methods, flavoring is also a key part of the process.
In fact, Lion Coffee is a brand famous for its popular flavored coffees, such as vanilla and chocolate.
The Large Coffee Grinder
After the flavoring process is complete, the beans are carefully ground in this huge coffee mill.
Sometimes this step is skipped, and the beans are packaged whole.
While coffee connoisseurs often prefer to grind their beans just before brewing to enjoy the fresh aroma, most people buy pre-ground coffee, which is why this step is included.
Here, the precise amount of coffee for each package is measured out.
The Packaging Machine Churning Out Products
The packaging machine, connected to the grinder, seals the products without any human touch.
The staff seem busy packing the rapidly produced coffee into cardboard boxes!
As expected of a high-volume brand, the production process and hygiene management systems are impressively robust.
Everyone was properly wearing masks and hats, giving it a very professional and clean atmosphere.
It’s said that about 80% of the coffee consumed in Hawaii comes from the Hawaii Coffee Company.
Their coffee is served in many places across Hawaii, from fast-food chains like McDonald’s to luxury hotels like the Halekulani.
Their large production volume and established system allow them to offer great value compared to other brands.
Tea is Also Popular in Hawaii
They also focus on tea, with their “Hawaiian Islands Tea” brand.
Lion Coffee is known for its subtly sweet flavors, and this same dedication is reflected in their teas!
All the teas feature distinctly Hawaiian tropical flavors, and they are delicious.
Just like their coffee, the teas are sold in various shops.
Get Souvenirs at the Lion Cafe
At the end of the factory tour, you’ll receive a coffee sample!
It’s a great deal—a free tour with a souvenir to take home!
You’ll also get a 10% off coupon to use in the shop, so be sure to enjoy some shopping.
The adjoining shop offers exclusive flavors you can’t find anywhere else, making them perfect souvenirs!
Lion Coffee Factory General Information
| Name | Lion Coffee Factory |
| Address | 1555 Kalani St, Honolulu, HI 96817 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Closed | Saturday, Sunday |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
Recommended Transportation to Lion Coffee Factory
TheBus – The Most Affordable Public Transit Covering All of Hawaii
Taxis & Uber – Ideal Chartered Vehicles for Small Groups in Hawaii
Areas Near the Lion Coffee Factory
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