Twenty-two years ago in KONA, Hawaii, coffee industry insiders conducted the first blind tasting to judge Kona coffee as part of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Twenty-two years later, Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition is recognized as the premier cupping for selecting the finest Kona coffee in the state. Learn first hand which distinctive characteristics define gourmet Kona coffee by a panel of cupping judges when the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition makes its appearance Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Keauhou Beach Resort. The very place we’ve vacationed – twice in the last year.

Over 60 Kona coffee farmers enter their finest work for this competitive judging beginning with the preliminary round on Wednesday, November 11. Each Kona coffee farm submits a 75-pound parchment sample from which five pounds are actually entered. Every entry must conform to a very simple rule: each coffee bean in the sample must have been grown on the entrant’s farm, and the farm must have some commercial tie to the Kona coffee industry. All submitted coffee beans undergo identical milling to ensure the same consistency. Since 2001, Mountain Thunder has served as the official master miller.

The coffee samples, both green and roasted, are placed on a rectangular table for the judges to independently evaluate. Scores are based on four positive attributes—fragrance and aroma, taste, acidity and body—and three negative attributes—freshness, off flavors and defects. The best Kona coffees receive scores in the mid-range of a five-point system.

The top 15 Kona coffee entries advance from the first day’s preliminary round. The competition heats up on the second day, when the Kona coffee farm producing the winning gourmet flavor is revealed.

2009 Judging Panel

Dave Holfve, Master Taster, Gevalia Kaffe

Previously he served as the apprentice to Willy Pettersson, long-time Gevalia cupping judge who retired this year. David participated in his first Kona cupping competition in 2008. Holfve says he has the best job at Gevalia. He tastes 150 to 200 cups of coffee daily at their headquarters in Sweden. Dave must approve every lot of coffee before its shipped. When he first started the job, he had a hard time falling asleep. But that’s about the only downside to being Gevalia’s newest Master Taster.

Sherri Johns, WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC

Sherri Johns, industry coffee specialist and retail consultant, is one of only a few that bridge the gap between producers and consumers of specialty coffee. John is president of WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC a firm that specializes in global professional coffee and barista education, developing and expanding cafe, roaster and coffee retail concepts and locations and producer of the international event “Iron Chef of Coffee” the Ultimate Barista Challenge. Sherri began in the specialty coffee business in 1976 as a barista. Within three years she was awarded “Champion Barista” in one of the earliest Barista Championships. Sherri is an astute cupper, recognized as Head Judge in the esteemed program Cup of Excellence since 2002.

John King, Harold L. King & Company, California

This third generation coffee importer of green coffees from around the world has been in the coffee business for over 20 years. King’s family operates Harold L. King & Co., one of the oldest, largest and most respected coffee importing companies in the nation. John has acquired a unique knowledge of all facets of the coffee trade and has cupped thousands of coffees from around the world.

Complimenting the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition, guests can peruse the extensive collection of coffee inspired works at the Gevalia Kona Coffee Art Exhibit. Visitors can view and purchase coffee artwork produced by local artists. The public is invited to vote for their favorite Kona coffee artist in a People’s Choice Award presentation.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is supported by Hawaii Tourism Authority; County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development; Ueshima Coffee (UCC Hawaii) Corp.; Gevalia Kaffe; Kamehameha Schools; Keauhou Resort; KTA Super Stores; Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union and numerous corporate and community donors.

Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition

First Place Winners

2008 – Hoshide Farms
2007 – Kona Old Style/Kuaiwi Farm
2006 – Pearl Estate Organics
2005 – Rancho Aloha
2004 – Lafayette Coffee
2003 – Kona Coffee & Tea Company
2002 – Koa Coffee Plantation
2001 – Wood Captain Cook Estate
2000 – The Other Farm
1999 – Dragon Roast Coffee
1998 – Brockston Gate Estate
1997 – Terry Fitzgerald Estate
1996 – Keokea Kona Farm
1995 – Kona Kulana Farms
1994 – Perry Estate Farms
1993 – Keopu Mauka Lani Plantation
1992 – Kona Kulana Farms
1991 – Wailapa Farms
1990 – Island Girl Coffee
1989 – Wailapa Farms
1988 – Faye Takashiba
1987 – Tojiro Motoki

To learn more visit:  www.konacoffeefest.com

As we work on the designs for my other half-sleeve, back and left leg, I’ve begun the process of capturing imagery and examples to guide the creation of a better looking back piece. The image herein (in outline form – the second step in the tattooing process) provides a lot of input for those seeking to do the same.

The broader design depicts several distinct tattoos or images which pulls together the distinct message. When considering back pieces, the integration with sleeves, lower back tattoos and/or neck imagery is important … if your intent is creative integration. I’ve noted that most folks are not interested in overall tattoo integration and design fit. They are instead interested in unique tattoos as stand alone pieces of art. Even fewer people attempt to create unique tattoos but assemble them in a manner which feels integrated. I firmly believe a plan of design helps when crafting an inked body.

“No man or woman is an island. To exist just for yourself is meaningless. You can achieve the most satisfaction when you feel related to some greater purpose in life, something greater than yourself.”

Denis Waitley

Many people love all-black tattoos and the vast amount of coverage by a black ink. Interestingly (as noted herein) the tattoo when fresh is very black. However, as the tattoo heals, it will often times turn a strong shade of gray as it peels and scars then back to black. It’s very important during this transitional phase to apply moisture (ask your artist for recommendations) that includes vitamin E. The inclusion of vitamin E helps in the healing process.

Two years ago I made a conscious decision to study the art of inking (the body). I’ve spent countless hours researching topic via the web, text and journals within the UTK library, and the databases of UTK’s online library system. Throughout my journey I’ve shared countless images and stories about the world of tattooing. Today, my website is visited by more than 10,000 surfers each week.

Standing on the sidelines I studied the art form and learned how to dissect the good, bad and ugly. If you take time out to review my website you’ll find some beautiful tattoos … but you’ll find many tattoos gone wrong. As my personal appreciation of the good stuff grew, I studied the work of well-known artists (living and deceased). Throughout the journey I envisioned becoming a kindred member of the 5000+ year-old tattoo club, and the probability or eventuality of being inked.

Tattooing of the body dates to at least 3300 B.C. as evident from the markings on “Otzi the Iceman.” Tattoos found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies date to 2000 B.C.; classical authors mention the use the use of tattoos in connection with Greeks, ancient Germans, Thracians, and ancient Britons. The same can be said of tattoos within the Oceania region, but history is not preserved in a written context to verify its origins there. Many researchers believe Oceania inhabitants considered tattooing an ancient custom to mark taboos and/or to embody magic in the person adorning the ink.

James Cook, an accomplished cartographer (who mapped the Hawaiian Islands), and his colleague, Joseph Banks (a botanist) gathered first-hand observational data from their voyages within the Oceania region. They were tasked with observing the people, animals and plants they encountered in the region. Cook and Banks clearly understood the process of inserting blue dye under the skin because they witnessed many an islander being inked via pointed bones and simple tapping devices made of wood.

Until Cook and Banks “observed” the process, descriptions of the process were awkwardly described and typically without accuracy. Joseph Banks is the credited inventor of the word “tattoo” derived from the Tahitian word ‘tatau.’ According to Maarten Hesselt van Dinter in his book, The World of Tattoo, “tattooing gained its identity as a distinct art form with the invention of the word.” I firmly believe observational data can provide anyone … including all those who fearful of tattoos … with sufficient information to embrace the art form.

Tattoos abound among my cycling buddies – many of whom sport numerous watermarks and full-sized tats. When you ride, train and race with the same group of guys, most of the conversation centers on family, professions, travels, and on occasion, tattoos.  When asked about a tattoo, each and every conversation ended with the same advice (about getting inked): “create a design that you can live with for a lifetime and/or make damn sure the artist is just that  — an artist.”

An attorney friend (with more than 10 tattoos) led me to person he trusts – an artist with an established reputation and full command of the iron. The artist who inked him – and now me – is Dale Johnson, owner of Mythical Markings located in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Johnson is a gifted artist who produces tattoos that are highly creative and tight. The art deck on Mythical Markings website will give you a brief overview of his creativity.

In September I stopped by to introduce myself and talk about getting inked. Naturally my white shirt, tie and pressed pants seemed odd. Dale actually backed up – thinking I was either a salesman or a lawyer. He relaxed when I said, “Josh sent me.” We sat and reviewed my reference material and talked about creating a unique and custom design.  Throughout our conversations we discussed each creative element or component, and the intended meaning(s) to be conveyed through the design. The final design that we agreed upon resulted in the creation of original artwork reflective of my input and my interests.

Herein are the photos of my tattoo outlined after our first session. This was the first step in the process of creating Koali`i – in outline form. While sitting in the chair Dale asked me to describe the pain. Curiously I answered with … “it feels like a scalpel is dragging across my skin with a sharp pin repeatedly paving the way for the blade.” He told me that answering the question while in the chair would help me remember. Surely it did.

Two weeks after the outline was inked in and completed, I revisited Mythical Markings for an extension to the original tattoo design. We added five crucifixes to the top, and Dale completed the fill-in work at the top of the half-sleeve and face of Koali`i. Once again, Dale asked me about the pain and I provided an entirely different answer. “The fill-in work is easier to take when you give in but it’s difficult to let go and accept the pain.” One spot hurt much more than any other (including the back side of my arm). For some reason the scarred skin of my smallpox shot was super-sensitive and alarmingly painful when inked.

For most of the 3.5 hours I didn’t give into the pain – in other words my arm was tense as I resisted the iron. There were minutes when I gave into the pain, but for the most part I fought it. This proved to be a mistake because for the next four days the muscles in my left arm were extremely sore. I learned something, and it applies to life itself: when pain comes (and it surely will) – give into it. Allow it to exist – don’t fight it.  As HRH the Dalai Lama once said, “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”

Herein are the images from my second sitting at Mythical Markings:

Another week passed and the calendar turned to October 31st – the final sitting for my first half-sleeve. We booked four hours for the fill-in work to make sure we were able to complete the half-sleeve. I was much more conversational during this session than in the previous two. Relaxing and giving into the pain helped tremendously. The mental process is actually very simple: separate your mind from your body and allow it to happen. While the needle was moving across my skin I accepted the pain and relaxed.

The needle isn’t “angry” nor is the artist applying the ink. The needle has no feelings – it is merely in a position to work at the command of the artist.  The ink session was clearly the most painful of all three sittings (because of such a huge area being filled), but I was much more relaxed.

Finding a tattoo artist – some simple advice: Although tattooing isn’t heart survey, you’d best locate an artist whose life is committed to the profession. In other words, find a “Dale Johnson.” And if you can’t find one in your part of the world, then fly your happy ass to Knoxville, Tennessee. I highly suggest that you call ahead, talk with Brooke and secure an appointment. Dale is booked almost everyday.

Ok then. When I say, “inketh oneth” it officially applies to me.