{"id":590,"date":"2025-11-29T11:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T21:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aloalotravel.com\/en\/lion-coffee-factory\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T23:41:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T09:41:04","slug":"lion-coffee-factory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aloalotravel.com\/en\/lion-coffee-factory\/","title":{"rendered":"Lion Coffee Factory in Honolulu \u2013 A Popular Hawaiian Coffee Brand Offering Factory Tours"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Located in the Kalihi area of Hawaii, Lion Coffee Factory has set up its roasting plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lion Coffee is the most well-known, with the largest track record and scale in Hawaii, truly the king of coffee just as the packaging claims!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to Hawaiian souvenirs, chocolates and macadamia nuts are hard to pass up, but coffee is also very popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawaii has a warm climate throughout the year and slightly acidic red soil rich in iron created by volcanic eruptions, making it an optimal environment for coffee cultivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the factory, you can observe how coffee is made, sample different coffees, and it has become a very popular tourist spot for coffee lovers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Lion Coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are many coffee brands in Hawaii, but among them, Lion Coffee has the oldest history and is the most well-known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was originally a brand born in Toledo, Ohio, USA in 1864, and by the 1890s, it had established a position and name recognition as the second largest coffee company in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, major internal troubles occurred afterward, leading to the company’s bankruptcy in the 1950s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, Lion Coffee disappeared from the market for a while, but a major turning point came in 1979 when a Hawaiian company bought Lion Coffee!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Kona coffee grown on the Big Island of Hawaii becoming one of the “world’s top three brands,” and flavored coffee becoming a hit with tourists visiting Hawaii, the brand was able to make a successful comeback as a Hawaiian brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, most of Lion Coffee’s products are actually blends of Brazilian and Colombian beans, though. Haha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1989, it was selected as one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in America, and its business has been running smoothly ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way, Lion Coffee, Royal Kona Coffee, and Hawaiian Islands Tea are all operated by a single company called Hawaii Coffee Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The location of that company is the Lion Coffee Factory, and there is also a Lion Cafe on-site where you can drink coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factory Tour at Lion Coffee Factory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The factory tour completely requires advance reservations through the website, and drop-in participation on the day is not allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The times are from 10:00 to 10:30 and 13:00 to 13:30, with Japanese tours every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and English tours on Wednesdays!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fee is $10 per person (limited to ages 12 and up), and the capacity per session is 6 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are joining the tour, make sure to arrive about 15 minutes before it starts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until the tour begins, you can adjust your time by drinking coffee at the cafe inside the factory or looking at products in the shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lion Coffee Tour Report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This time, I actually went on the factory tour, so I would like to report on the details!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*The photos were taken in the past with permission, but currently, all photo and video recording is completely prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factory Warehouse Packed with Coffee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First of all, when you step inside the factory, you will see mountains of carefully selected coffee beans from all over the world piled up in the warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawaii Coffee Company was founded in 1864 (a very long time ago in the mid-19th century), and since it is the oldest coffee company in America, its scale is not limited only to coffee beans harvested in Hawaii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason why Lion Coffee and Royal Kona Coffee are the cheapest in Hawaii is because they are blended with coffee beans from these various countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because it is cheap and delicious coffee, it might be continuously winning first place in Hawaii’s popularity polls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giant Roasting Machine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Coffee beans are put into a massive circular machine and roasted while spinning around and around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, the fragrant aroma of coffee fills the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beans that have been roasted for just the right amount of time are called “medium roast,” resulting in the brown-colored coffee beans you often see as retail products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the roasting time is extended, it becomes a “dark roast,” creating darker-colored coffee beans with a stronger aroma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also many “light roast” products in Hawaiian coffee, which have a shorter roasting time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the product changes depending on the method used to dry the coffee beans!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “natural process,” where the coffee cherries are dried just as they are harvested, results in a richer flavor and increased depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “washed process,” where only the coffee beans are extracted and dried, results in a refreshing and easy-to-drink coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with the same coffee beans, these methods can turn them into completely different products!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way, besides the roasting and drying methods, there is also flavoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, Lion Coffee is a brand well-known for flavored coffees such as vanilla and chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large Coffee Grinder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Once the flavoring process is complete, the beans are finely and carefully ground using this giant coffee mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes they skip this process and package the coffee in its whole bean state!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee connoisseurs usually grind their beans right before drinking to enjoy the aroma, but since it is common for people to buy powdered coffee, they go through this step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, they accurately divide the amount of coffee to be packaged!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Packing Machine Producing Products One After Another<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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At the packing machine connected to the grinder, the products come out sealed without being touched by human hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With coffee being produced at an incredible speed, the staff members packing the cardboard boxes look very busy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brands with high sales volumes are naturally large in scale, and I was impressed by how well-established their manufacturing processes and hygiene management systems are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone was wearing masks and hats properly, which gave off a vibe reminiscent of strict Japanese hygiene standards. Haha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is said that about 80% of the coffee consumed in Hawaii comes from the Hawaii Coffee Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it is served at fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s or luxury hotels like the Halekulani, it is provided in many places across Hawaii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because they produce a large volume and have an established system, they offer great cost performance compared to other brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, Tea is Also Popular in Hawaii<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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They are not only focusing on coffee but also on a tea called “Hawaiian Islands Tea.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Lion Coffee is characterized by its subtle sweet flavors, that dedication is actually reflected in their teas as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They all feature tropical flavors unique to Hawaii, and these are also delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like the coffee, they are sold in various shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Souvenirs at Lion Cafe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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At the end of the factory tour, you get coffee samples and a non-sale keychain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tour requires a fee, but you receive souvenirs worth about that amount, so it feels like a great deal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also receive a 10% off coupon that can be used inside the shop, so please enjoy some shopping as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attached shop stocks exclusive flavors that can only be bought here, so definitely pick some up as souvenirs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Information of Lion Coffee Factory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Name<\/td>Lion Coffee Factory<\/td><\/tr>
Address<\/td>1555 Kalani St, Honolulu, HI 96817<\/td><\/tr>
Map<\/td>