Kauai Coffee Co. has finalized a new long-term agricultural lease, ending months of uncertainty that threatened the future of the largest coffee farm in the United States. The agreement with landowner Brue Baukol Capital Partners (BBCP), announced on June 25, secures the operation of the 3,100-acre farm in Hawaii and preserves all existing jobs.
The deal concludes two years of negotiations between Denver-based BBCP and Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA (MZB-USA), the parent company that operates Kauai Coffee. Earlier this year, the company had issued federal WARN notices to more than 140 employees, signaling potential mass layoffs due to the unresolved lease. Those notices have since been rescinded. While financial terms were not disclosed, industry media reported the lease term is 15 years.
With the new agreement in place, Kauai Coffee stated it can proceed with investments in farm technology, machinery, and its visitor center. The company also confirmed it will maintain its Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and Non-GMO Project certifications. The landowner noted that the lease keeps the property designated as Important Agricultural Lands under state law and provides flexibility to explore other agricultural uses on uncultivated portions of the land.