When Doug McKanna first visited Hawaii with his wife and kids, he was technically on vacation. But Doug is not one to sit still. While his family relaxed on the beach, he wandered off to explore local real estate. That spark of curiosity grew into a whole new chapter of life. Today, Doug and his wife live full-time in Kona, farming coffee with the same drive and go-getter spirit that has defined his career, transforming volcanic fields into some of the world’s most celebrated coffee.
When Doug first purchased the land and learned that preparing volcanic soil for planting required hundreds of thousands of dollars, though not a farmer, he decided to invest in machinery and till the soil himself, diving headfirst into the work needed to make his dream a reality.
In 2016, Doug acquired a handful of prized Geisha seeds from Panama. It was a gamble, but his patience and expertise paid off. By 2020, those trees produced their first harvest, and the results were extraordinary. Doug’s Geisha Kona Coffee has since won major competitions every year from 2021 through 2024, earning the highest cupping scores in event history and setting a new benchmark for excellence.
Doug’s experience in coffee is extensive. After a 20-year career at Nestlé, where he held leadership roles in marketing, product development, and gourmet coffee operations, he retired from corporate life to pursue his passion full-time in Kona. Today, he brings that expertise and a generous, collaborative spirit to every aspect of the farm. His knowledge has earned him board positions at Heavenly Hawaiian and international projects, including helping establish the gold standard for Saudi Arabian coffees.
On the farm, Doug is constantly evolving. He experiments with sustainability practices, invests in state-of-the-art equipment, and refines every step of his process. While he laughs about his own allergies preventing him from cupping, he relies on his skilled team to assess how each change impacts the flavor in the cup. This collaborative approach ensures consistency and excellence.
Doug’s generosity is as notable as his coffee. When another Hawaiian farm faced export challenges, Doug stepped in to help. There is no competition in his approach, only a belief that great coffee should be shared and that the community thrives when farmers lift one another up. That spirit is reflected in every cup of his Geisha Kona Coffee.
We are proud to share Doug’s Washed Geisha, a coffee that carries both the elegance of this legendary varietal and the soul of Kona. Bright, floral, silky, and layered with chocolaty sweetness, it is more than just coffee. It is a story of curiosity, courage, and community. From a desk in corporate America to retiring as a farmer in Hawaii, Doug’s journey is the kind many dream of, and his coffee is proof that passion, persistence, and generosity create extraordinary results.
