7 Facts About Coffee History in Hawai‘i

Coffee history in Hawai‘i includes dates, records, and unanswered questions. The story begins with conflicting accounts about coffee’s first arrival. Several historical sources connect the story to Don Francisco de Paula Marin. However, the evidence does not clearly support the commonly cited early dates.

The Debate Over Coffee’s Arrival in Coffee History

Many coffee history accounts credit Marin with bringing coffee to Hawai‘i. Two dates frequently appear in those accounts. Those dates are January 21, 1813, and December 30, 1817. However, closer examination raises questions about both dates.

The original article examines historical records connected to these dates. It also compares several published interpretations of Marin’s journal. The evidence suggests that the dates may have been misunderstood over time.

Historic sailing ship approaching Hawai‘i during the early coffee era

What Does Marin’s Journal Actually Say?

Marin’s original journal no longer appears to survive in complete form. Robert Crichton Wyllie translated the available material in 1847. His translation included additional comments written around the journal entries.

The January 21, 1813 entry does not mention coffee. It records planting pineapples and an orange tree. Other crops and activities appear in additional material within the record.

The coffee reference appears within Wyllie’s separate commentary. That commentary lists several agricultural activities associated with Marin. It includes coffee planting among those activities.

Historical journal representing early records of coffee in Hawai‘i

Why the 1813 Date Remains Uncertain

The 1813 date can be traced to published historical sources. Those sources relied on information from Baron Goto. Goto later published research about Hawai‘i’s coffee industry. He connected the date with Marin’s journal materials.

However, the journal entry itself does not mention coffee. The coffee reference comes from Wyllie’s added commentary. This distinction creates uncertainty around the 1813 date. The available evidence does not directly connect coffee with that entry.

What About the 1817 Date?

The 1817 date comes from Wyllie’s commentary beneath a December entry. That commentary lists coffee planting among Marin’s activities. However, the original journal entry does not mention coffee.

Wyllie later included coffee when discussing agricultural dates in Hawai‘i. His 1850 address supports the 1817 connection. However, he did not provide evidence explaining why that date applied.

Evidence From the 1818 Account

Another historical account creates a serious problem for the 1817 theory. Russian explorer Vasilii Golovin visited Marin during November 1818. His journal described Marin’s efforts to obtain coffee trees.

That account suggests Marin had not successfully obtained coffee by late 1818. This makes the earlier dates difficult to confirm. It also supports the need for caution when interpreting historical records.

Why 1825 May Be the Strongest Date

The strongest documented arrival in the source is connected to the HMS Blonde. The ship reached Honolulu on May 6, 1825. Naturalist Andrew Bloxam recorded thirty coffee plants aboard the ship.

This record provides a clearer date than the earlier Marin accounts. The source also notes that other researchers found no earlier confirmed arrival date. Based on the available evidence, 1825 becomes the strongest documented possibility.

Coffee plants represented aboard an early sailing expedition to Hawai‘i

Coffee History: Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee arrive in Hawai‘i?

The source identifies 1825 as the strongest documented arrival date. Andrew Bloxam recorded thirty coffee plants aboard the HMS Blonde.

Did Don Francisco de Paula Marin bring coffee to Hawai‘i?

The source questions whether Marin brought coffee to Hawai‘i. The available records do not clearly establish that connection.

Why are 1813 and 1817 mentioned?

Both dates come from interpretations of historical records. Neither date has a direct coffee reference in Marin’s journal entries.

What evidence supports the 1825 date?

Andrew Bloxam recorded thirty coffee plants aboard the HMS Blonde. The ship arrived in Honolulu on May 6, 1825.

Modern Hawaiian coffee farm with ripe coffee cherries

Final Thoughts

Coffee history often contains gaps, conflicting dates, and incomplete records. Hawai‘i’s coffee story offers a clear example of that challenge. The available evidence points toward 1825 as the strongest documented arrival date.

New historical evidence could change that conclusion in the future. Until then, the story remains an interesting part of Hawai‘i coffee history. Understanding that history gives every cup another connection to the past.