Jeannette Vidgen
Contact: Current Events
Phone (808)326-7820 Fax (808)326-5634
jvidgen@current-events.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KONA COFFEE CULTURAL FESTIVAL NAMES WINNERS

KONA, HAWAII (November 2008)—The Ueshima Coffee (UCC Hawaii) Corp. Kona Coffee Picking Contest enjoyed a strong turnout of coffee pickers of all levels and experience who competed for $2000 in cash prizes and gifts at this signature Kona Coffee Cultural Festival event.

Visitors and residents alike enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the Ueshima Coffee Farm as they tried their hand at picking only the reddest Kona coffee cherries in a three-minute timed competition in nine separate divisions.

PIONEERS (76 and older)

1st Betty Matsuo Captain Cook, HI .98 kilograms
2nd Frank Misoshiri Kealakekua, HI .97 kilograms
3rd Antone Carvalho Holualoa, HI .82 kilograms

SENIORS (59 to 75)

1st Anteoco Magana Kailua-Kona, HI 1.11 kilograms
2nd Carl Nozaki Kealakekua, HI .94 kilograms
3rd Ernest Kunitake Holualoa, HI .84 kilograms

MEN'S OPEN(18-58)

1st Eric Mendez Kailua-Kona, HI 4.42 kilograms
2nd Gonzalo Lopez Holualoa, HI 2.75 kilograms
3rd tie Ismael Paredes Kailua -Kona, HI 2.44 kilograms
3rd tie Carlos Valdovinos Kamuela, HI 2.44 kilograms

WOMEN'S OPEN(18-58)

1st Guadalupe Nunez Kealakekua, HI 2.82 kilograms
2nd Veronica Magana Kealakekua, HI 1.84 kilograms
3rd Michelle Johnson Kailua-Kona, HI 1.82 kilograms

JUNIOR BOYS & GIRLS (13-17)

1st Shoyo Tsukamoto Kailua-Kona, HI .68 kilograms
2nd Mai Tsukamoto Kaliua-Kona, HI .59 kilograms

KEIKI (8-12)

1st Sonia Garcia Kealakekua, HI 1.27 kilograms
2nd Sergio Garcia Kealakekua, HI 1.21 kilograms
3rd Francisco Magana Kealakekua, HI .96 kilograms

PEE WEE (5 -7)

1st Jeff Carter Keauhou, HI .58 kilograms
2nd Vanesa Magana Kealakekua, HI .56 kilograms
3rd Christian Mendez Kailua-Kona, HI .52 kilograms

AKACHAN (under 4 years)

1 st Jose Cisneros Holualoa, HI .82 kilograms
2 nd David Vasquez Kealakekua, HI .46 kilograms
3 rd Chase Wilson Kailua -Kona, HI .36 kilograms

AMATEUR

1st Jose Jazmin Kailua-Kona, HI 1.67 kilograms
2nd Alma Valdovinos Kealakekua, HI 1.34 kilograms
3rd Karu Yuyama Tokyo, JAPAN .72 kilograms

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is recognized and supported as a ‘Major Festival' by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) as the Festival showcases Hawaii 's unique culture and diversity. HTA was created in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage the growth of Hawaii 's visitor industry in a manner consistent with its economic goal, cultural values, preservation of natural resources and community interests.

Digital images of the picking contest are available by contacting Jeannette Vidgen at Current Events (808) 326-7820 or email: jvidgen@current-events.com