The Maui Coffee Association has named James “Kimo” Falconer, president of MauiGrown Coffee Distributors, LLC, its 2026 Farmer of the Year, recognizing more than three decades of contributions to Maui and Hawaiʻi’s coffee industry. The award was presented Aug. 1 during the association’s Seed to Cup 2026 event at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapū.

The recognition followed another industry honor for Falconer during the same week. The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association (HCA) honored him with its Legacy Leader of the Year Award during its 31st Annual Conference, held July 29-Aug. 1 on Maui. The statewide recognition further acknowledged Falconer’s longstanding leadership and contributions to Hawaiʻi’s coffee industry.

The Maui Coffee Association award recognizes Falconer’s dedication to advancing coffee growing on Maui, supporting Hawaiʻi coffee farmers and helping address challenges facing the industry. Gerry Ross, Maui Coffee Association board member, past president and owner of Kupaʻa Farms in Kula, presented the award and highlighted Falconer’s multigenerational ties to Maui and his longstanding commitment to agriculture.

Falconer, a fifth-generation Lahaina resident, grew up with agriculture as part of his life. His father came from a farming family in California’s Central Valley, and Falconer later earned a degree in agriculture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He moved to Hawaiʻi in 1979 and spent approximately 20 years managing agricultural research and production for Pioneer Mill Company in West Maui.

As Hawaiʻi’s sugar industry began diversifying, Falconer played an important role in Pioneer Mill’s efforts to transition former sugar lands into coffee production. Hundreds of acres in Kāʻanapali were planted in coffee and numerous varieties were evaluated to determine which were best suited to West Maui’s growing conditions.

When Pioneer Mill and its Kāʻanapali Estate Coffee operation closed, Falconer remained committed to the future of coffee on the land. In 2003, he established MauiGrown Coffee and revived production on the former estate, helping preserve an important part of West Maui’s agricultural legacy.

Falconer’s work has extended beyond farming. Over the years, he has been active in Hawaiʻi’s coffee industry, advocating for growers and working on issues ranging from agricultural standards and legislation to coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust and the long-term viability of coffee farming in Hawaiʻi.

“I’m very honored to receive these recognitions, but coffee has always been a collective effort,” Falconer said. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a lot of dedicated people over the years who care deeply about agriculture and about the future of coffee in Hawaiʻi. I’m grateful to be part of that community and to have had the opportunity to contribute.”

The Maui Coffee Association was established to support and strengthen Maui County’s coffee industry through education, communication, promotion and efforts to maintain high standards of coffee production. Its members include growers, roasters, businesses and others committed to advancing Maui-grown coffee.

For Falconer, the two honors recognize a career that has spanned major changes in Maui agriculture while maintaining a consistent focus on the farmers, land and community that sustain Hawaiʻi’s coffee industry.