Kraig Lee

Kraig Lee is the founder of Kona Farm Direct and a 30-year veteran of Hawaii’s coffee industry. His journey began on an eight-acre property in Kona, where he transitioned from carpentry to coffee farming and planted Kona Typica with support from neighboring growers. Just three years into production, his farm earned first place in the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition.

Since then, Kraig has expanded his work across multiple Kona farms, managing cultivation, harvesting, processing, and sales while maintaining careful traceability for each lot. He is also known for his hands-on approach to innovation, from custom-built drying systems to experimental fermentation techniques with varieties such as SL34.

Through Kona Farm Direct, Kraig sells green and roasted coffee, leads farm tours, and brings premium Kona coffee directly to consumers and emerging global markets. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and the continued evolution of Kona coffee.