Very cute place but there is no coffee made here anymore! They sell some beans but when we asked about getting coffee the worker said they don't have any.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amirreza Sahami
If you are around, trying this place is a MUST! The coffee and the store are amazing. Don't forget to get a couple fresh cookies from the store nextdoor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bianca Curutan
My husband and I stopped by Koana after a recommendation from a friend while we were on our way to Volcano. I mean this with all kindness, but I think my friend undersold the place!
At first glance, it may look like other small, local shops, with locally made products and a few interesting goods to browse. (I ended up buying the last 'I'iwi bird pin they had on display, which I loved!) After reading some other reviews, I realized we may have just gotten lucky because the owner happened to be in that day.
Let me say this upfront: they advertise slow black coffee and they mean it! The owner (Brian?) takes his time with each customer, chatting with you to understand what you're looking for and making some suggestions. It's clear he enjoys both his craft and engaging with customers. It was not very busy while we were there, which added to that relaxed, Hawaiian vacation vibe. We really enjoyed the conversation with him and even walked away having learned a few new things.
We took our coffee and other purchases to enjoy on the bench outside, along with some stone cookies from nearby. (There were also additional tables and chairs available on a side patio.)
Overall, we loved both the experience and the coffee, and we will definitely plan to stop by again the next time we are in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Smith
My wife's favorite coffee during our trip, by far (I don't drink coffee). Owner was very friendly and informative about his process.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frank “Wolf” L
This isn't a coffee shop, it's an experience. Seriously, the best cup of coffee I've ever had in my life. Carefully crafted by a true coffee master.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah King
This was the absolute best coffee I’ve ever had in my entire life. Brian chatted all about the different beans and asked what we were looking for 🫶🏻 10/10 would come back here next time I visit the island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noah Still
Brian's coffee is amazing, he's an authentic guy making coffee that he loves. Insanely good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Han Yun Cheng
They no longer sell coffee, only whole beans. If you are looking for some coffee to drink, maybe go somewhere else.
A P
I stumbled upon this hidden gem of a coffee bar while visiting the village. It’s a slow coffee bar that only opens its doors on the first week of every month and daily from 9 am to 12 pm in June and July. If you’re a coffee enthusiast and passionate about exploring the world of coffee and brewing, this is the place for you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wasawat Vutthikraivit
Absolutely the best coffee in the U.S.—no question! I’ll be back every time I’m in Hilo.
If you actually like coffee then you MUST come here.
However, this is not a proper coffee shop anymore. It’s just one guy making black specialty coffee and serving his incredible vegan spicy sipping chocolate and herbal teas.
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-31
june hayes
I rarely write reviews, but immediately after getting in the car, I started writing this. My family and I came in expecting a normal coffee shop, lattes and the works, only to find that they serve strictly black coffee, cold brews, and teas. I was a bit bummed at first, as I’m usually a sweet-coffee drinker but WOW! The black coffee is incredible. I personally got the medium-light roast, and it was incredible. Haven’t enjoyed black coffee in years, but couldn’t put the cup down!
As well at the delicious coffee, they sold naturalistic clothing, pins, totes, and hair accessories. We purchased a shirt and several pins— they’re high quality and the clothing is incredibly soft. They also sold their coffee, and after stopping by the donut store next door, I came back to purchase a bag of the medium-light roast and Brian wrote down instructions for the perfect pour over, as well as giving me his business card and instagram to reach out with any questions.
This shop has everything you need— delicious coffee, lovely conversation, and a beautiful environment. Could not get any better, an amazing shop, truly deserving of its 5 stars.
Thank you again Brian!! :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Omar El-Sherif
The shop is cool, but Brian makes the experience really special. He gave us a few coffee samples, made us a cup from the one we liked, and even made us a little lava shot. If you're in any way a coffee enthusiast, make a stop here and give them a little bit of your time and business.
The girl at the checkout counter with the blonde hair (didn't get her name) was also really nice and chatted with us about our trip so far.
Overall great experience and would absolutely give them another visit!
Gennadii Fokin (Gene Foks)
Great place! Great coffee! Great tea! Great people!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle “Shelly Belly” Barker
Coffee shop combined with a nature shop, great products and they have classes for the community & a free reading nook at this location! (Bring the kids) 📚😁🌺
Very cute place but there is no coffee made here anymore! They sell some beans but when we asked about getting coffee the worker said they don't have any.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
If you are around, trying this place is a MUST!
The coffee and the store are amazing. Don't forget to get a couple fresh cookies from the store nextdoor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I stopped by Koana after a recommendation from a friend while we were on our way to Volcano. I mean this with all kindness, but I think my friend undersold the place!
At first glance, it may look like other small, local shops, with locally made products and a few interesting goods to browse. (I ended up buying the last 'I'iwi bird pin they had on display, which I loved!) After reading some other reviews, I realized we may have just gotten lucky because the owner happened to be in that day.
Let me say this upfront: they advertise slow black coffee and they mean it! The owner (Brian?) takes his time with each customer, chatting with you to understand what you're looking for and making some suggestions. It's clear he enjoys both his craft and engaging with customers. It was not very busy while we were there, which added to that relaxed, Hawaiian vacation vibe. We really enjoyed the conversation with him and even walked away having learned a few new things.
We took our coffee and other purchases to enjoy on the bench outside, along with some stone cookies from nearby. (There were also additional tables and chairs available on a side patio.)
Overall, we loved both the experience and the coffee, and we will definitely plan to stop by again the next time we are in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife's favorite coffee during our trip, by far (I don't drink coffee). Owner was very friendly and informative about his process.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This isn't a coffee shop, it's an experience. Seriously, the best cup of coffee I've ever had in my life. Carefully crafted by a true coffee master.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was the absolute best coffee I’ve ever had in my entire life. Brian chatted all about the different beans and asked what we were looking for 🫶🏻 10/10 would come back here next time I visit the island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian's coffee is amazing, he's an authentic guy making coffee that he loves. Insanely good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They no longer sell coffee, only whole beans. If you are looking for some coffee to drink, maybe go somewhere else.
I stumbled upon this hidden gem of a coffee bar while visiting the village. It’s a slow coffee bar that only opens its doors on the first week of every month and daily from 9 am to 12 pm in June and July. If you’re a coffee enthusiast and passionate about exploring the world of coffee and brewing, this is the place for you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely the best coffee in the U.S.—no question! I’ll be back every time I’m in Hilo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
If you actually like coffee then you MUST come here. However, this is not a proper coffee shop anymore. It’s just one guy making black specialty coffee and serving his incredible vegan spicy sipping chocolate and herbal teas. Updated from previous review on 2025-07-31
I rarely write reviews, but immediately after getting in the car, I started writing this. My family and I came in expecting a normal coffee shop, lattes and the works, only to find that they serve strictly black coffee, cold brews, and teas. I was a bit bummed at first, as I’m usually a sweet-coffee drinker but WOW! The black coffee is incredible. I personally got the medium-light roast, and it was incredible. Haven’t enjoyed black coffee in years, but couldn’t put the cup down!
As well at the delicious coffee, they sold naturalistic clothing, pins, totes, and hair accessories. We purchased a shirt and several pins— they’re high quality and the clothing is incredibly soft. They also sold their coffee, and after stopping by the donut store next door, I came back to purchase a bag of the medium-light roast and Brian wrote down instructions for the perfect pour over, as well as giving me his business card and instagram to reach out with any questions.
This shop has everything you need— delicious coffee, lovely conversation, and a beautiful environment. Could not get any better, an amazing shop, truly deserving of its 5 stars.
Thank you again Brian!! :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The shop is cool, but Brian makes the experience really special. He gave us a few coffee samples, made us a cup from the one we liked, and even made us a little lava shot. If you're in any way a coffee enthusiast, make a stop here and give them a little bit of your time and business.
The girl at the checkout counter with the blonde hair (didn't get her name) was also really nice and chatted with us about our trip so far.
Overall great experience and would absolutely give them another visit!
Great place! Great coffee! Great tea! Great people!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coffee shop combined with a nature shop, great products and they have classes for the community & a free reading nook at this location! (Bring the kids) 📚😁🌺
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