Kona Rainforest: A Certified Organic Kona Coffee Estate for Sale in Captain Cook

5 days ago

4 min read

Kona Rainforest is a working, certified organic Kona coffee estate for sale in Captain Cook on Hawaiʻi Island, offered at $4,770,000 fee simple (MLS 732847). The sale includes 78.64 acres across three contiguous parcels, about 35 acres planted in coffee, a newly built 8,000 square foot processing facility, an estate roastery, two ocean view homes, and the operating coffee business and brand. This post walks through what is on the land and what a buyer of a farm this size should plan for.

Key takeaways

Price: $4,770,000, fee simple, MLS 732847.
78.64 acres in three contiguous parcels in Captain Cook, South Kona.
About 35 acres of mature coffee between 1,600 and 2,200 feet in the Kona coffee belt.
Wet mill, dry mill, optical sorter, fermentation tanks, climate controlled storage and an estate roastery.
Fully off grid: 39 kW solar with battery storage and generator backup, plus about 150,000 gallons of rain catchment.
Two ocean view residences with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths in total.
The brand, website, online store and equipment convey with the sale.

The land and the coffee

The estate began as five planted acres and was built out over more than twenty years. Today it holds about 35 acres of coffee on 78.64 acres, at an elevation band many Kona growers consider ideal for cherry quality. Varieties include Kona Typica, Red Bourbon, SL34 and K7, along with Peaberry and Private Reserve lots. The farm is a Kona Classic Division winner at the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition.

Coffee is a permanent tree crop. Trees take several years to reach full production, so mature planting is one of the hardest parts of a coffee farm to replace. A buyer here starts with trees that are already bearing.

Processing, roasting and the brand

Most Kona coffee farms sell cherry or parchment to a mill. Kona Rainforest does its own processing in a newly built 8,000 square foot facility with a wet mill, dryers, a dry mill, an optical sorter, fermentation tanks and climate controlled storage. An estate roastery on site roasts and packs finished bags under the farm's own label.

The established brand, the website and the online retail channels are part of the sale. Vehicles, tractors, utility vehicles and farm implements convey as well. The full inclusion list is available to qualified buyers.

Off grid power and water

The processing facility runs on a 39 kW photovoltaic array with battery storage, backed by a 48 kW generator. The two homes run on a separate solar system. Water is rain catchment throughout, with about 150,000 gallons of storage. For a buyer, that means no utility power bill on the mill. It also means catchment and solar upkeep are part of running the farm. The catchment vs County water guide explains what to check on any catchment property.

The homes

Two ocean view residences sit on the property, with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths between them. One can serve as the owner's home and the other as housing for a farm manager or family. Ask for the permit history on each home and confirm how each one is used under the County rules for agricultural land.

Organic certification

The farm holds USDA organic certification for its crops and its handling. Certification belongs to the operator, not the land, so it does not move to a new owner with the deed. A buyer who wants to keep selling organic coffee applies for their own certification. Because the ground has been managed organically, there is no three year transition to wait out. The guide to organic certification when a farm sells covers the steps and timing.

What a buyer of a working farm should plan for

A farm business purchase is different from buying a house. Plan for these steps:

Financing. Agricultural lenders such as American AgCredit underwrite the land, buildings, equipment and business together. A standard home loan does not fit a property like this.
Financial records. The farm's financials are released only to qualified buyers who sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Tax planning. Equipment and improvements on a working farm can carry depreciation value. Work with a CPA on how the price is split between land, buildings, equipment and business.
Property tax. Ask whether the parcels carry agricultural use assessment or dedication, and what happens to it after a sale. See the agricultural dedication guide.
Timing. Coffee harvest in Kona runs roughly August through January. Showings are by appointment so the work of the farm is not disrupted.

The guide to buying a coffee farm in Kona lists more of what to check before making an offer on any Kona coffee property.

How to see the property

Showings are by appointment only. Proof of funds or a lender preapproval is needed before an offer. Photos, the property overview and the showing request form are on the Kona Rainforest property website.

Common questions

How much is the Kona Rainforest coffee farm?

Kona Rainforest is offered at $4,770,000 fee simple, MLS 732847, including the land, the two homes, the processing facility, the equipment and the operating coffee business.

How many acres is Kona Rainforest?

The estate is 78.64 acres in three contiguous parcels in Captain Cook, with about 35 acres planted in coffee.

Does the organic certification transfer when a coffee farm is sold in Hawaiʻi?

No. USDA organic certification belongs to the operator. A new owner applies for their own certification, but land that has been managed organically does not have to wait out a new three year transition.

Sources: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program; USDA NASS, Hawaii coffee statistics; County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office; Kona Coffee Cupping Competition, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

About the author: Maile Woodhall (pronounced Miley) is a licensed Hawaiʻi REALTOR (RS-88019) with The Agency Team Hawaii, eXp Realty (RB-21841), born and raised in Kona. Questions? Call or text (808) 482-5800.

Last updated: October 2026.