The best of Mama's Kona Coffee comes from "Kua-ola". Where all things thrive and grow.

Kau'la'i Mai ka La
Dry by the Kona Sun

Kau'la'i Mai ka Maka'ni Olu'olu o Kona
Dried by the fair winds of Kona.

Na A'ole Oukou, e Ho'a'o Ka Kope o Mama, A'ole oe e Ike Ka Ono-ono
If you don't try, you'll never know how "Tasty and Appetizing Mam's Kona Coffee is.

Lily Kong sr.
(mama)

Mama's Kona Coffee LLC

"Ku-ka Ku-Ka"
More Talk Story time with Mama Lily

How I met Kapuna Lily N. Kong
by Jessica Yukon

I believe it was 2001. We returned to Hawaii after being gone for four years. We originally moved here in 1992 from California. Work took us back to the mainland, and we were devastated. On a business trip in 2001, my husband, Mike, decided to apply to a golf course that was going to be built at the North end of the Island. He was leaving the day when someone told him there was a position open at Kona Country Club. On a whim he went to the club and was hired an hour before boarding the plane back to Arizona. He called to tell me he had an offer, but not at the course he had applied for. He said, I want to take this job. He was really drawn to this area. The rest is history.

We arrived back to the Islands and were thrilled. We did have children and grandchildren here, so it was all meant to be. Mike started at the golf course, and after a few months, I also started work. I was working at the Old Kona Surf Hotel, now the Sheraton at Keauhou in the landscape department. It was such an amazing place to work, and working right next to the golf course. In one of the weekly meetings one of the new owners asked if I would work with a woman named Auntie Lily. I was informed she was a local Kapuna. I was very excited, and nervous at first. My job was to tag trees on the property, make a list on a plan of the trees, and plants that would stay or be taken out. The moment I met the wonderful woman, I now call a friend, I felt a connection and true goodness that came from her soul. As we walked and talked I listened to her stories of history on this property, I felt I was walking back in time. I remember clearly as I made my notes of the following. "None of the Opiuma trees can be removed", she said. When I asked why she told me that is where fishermen were buried, then the tree was planted next to them. I wrote boldy on my pad, do not remove. The very next day I tagged the trees with ribbon. In the next meeting I told the owners that the trees could not be removed. I had already tagged them. They wanted a better view for the renovated restaurant. Many trees on the property were removed, but those trees remain today.

Sometime before the Hotel was opened I went to work for the golf course. I was even more thrilled. I again was the landscaper. I was so drawn to this spot, I dug in and started planting like a mad woman. I walked into the restaurant and there was Auntie Lily. I was very happy to see her. She shared stories about this place I was now landscaping, making beautiful. I told her I was so happy here and I felt it was so special. She informed me that this was a burial ground where the building now sit. Her family was here, I feel they are still here in spirit. I told her I would tend the gardens with love and respect. Over the years she has stopped by, always with a wonderful story of the past. I have over stayed many a lunch hour and felt I was walking in her shoes as she tells the most interesting stories. I am now very happy to have met her daughters, and we are glad to hear of their new business. And I must say, I have met many people in my life, but this woman, Lily, is the most genuinely honest, loving, true to life, good person my husband and I have ever known. She has lived a life of greatness. We need more like her in this world today. And of course, we are proud to serve Mamas coffee. Befitting, after all her past is right here and I get to walk it in my mind. I feel honored. We genuinely love her.


JESSICA YUKON

For more Talk Story with Mama Lily

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