Hawai‘i Coffee Supplier Awarded National Honor

Jim Lenhart, Hawaiʻi Coffee Company. Photo courtesy McDonald’s of Hawaiʻi.

By Maui Now Staff

A Hawai‘i company that supplies island McDonald’s restaurants with coffee was awarded a national honor during a recent McDonald’s supplier summit in Chicago.

The Hawai‘i Coffee Company, which has provided McDonald’s with its fresh-roasted Royal Kona coffee blend since the chain opened its first eatery in the islands in Aina Haina in 1968, was recognized for its role in a “free coffee” giveaway last September in Hawai‘i.

The giveaway ranked Hawai‘i third in the nation, following Chicago and Houston, for giving away the most cups of joe during the promotion.

Jim Lenhart, vice president of sales and service at Hawai‘i Coffee Company, is among those who were recognized during the summit.

“I was surprised to hear that Hawai‘i Coffee Company was being recognized,” said Lenhart. “We are proud of our long-standing partnership with McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai‘i and over the years have introduced many new flavors to the local market, including the macadamia nut iced coffee.”

Last year, Hawai‘i Coffee Company supplied 285,000 pounds of coffee to McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Islands.

“We congratulate Hawai‘i Coffee Company on its award and are grateful for such a wonderful partnership for over 45 years,” said Victor Lim, a local McDonald’s restaurant owner and operator.