Our Aloha Story
Welcome to Koana
Koana first opened its doors in August 2019, born from our love for coffee and a desire to share its rich culture.
In 2025, we’re excited to introduce Koana Retail—a space designed to host our one-of-a-kind RSVP "Art of Coffee" Course.
Located in Mountain View Village, halfway between Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Koana is more than just a specialty coffee shop—it’s a reflection of our journey. Thoughtfully designed by my wife and me, it embodies our passion for coffee, community, and storytelling.
Our coffee journey began in 2017. As longtime enthusiasts, we sought out rare and award-winning coffees from local farms and roasters. Over two years, we balanced work and parenthood while traveling between Hawaiʻi, Tokyo, and Taipei to deepen our knowledge of coffee and its cultures.
For us, coffee is more than a drink—it’s comfort, connection, and a story waiting to be shared. The key to recommending good coffee is understanding people, which is why we focus on "talking story"—our way of exchanging aloha through coffee.
Living on the Big Island requires creativity and resourcefulness. So, we envisioned Koana as a site-specific space, one that honors both its history and the journey behind it. Our indoor décor and outdoor seating area were built primarily from reclaimed wood and recycled materials gathered from our neighborhood—treasures (and sometimes junk) we collected piece by piece.
The indoor space feels like a living room, designed for enjoying coffee in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Our outdoor seating sits on the site of the old Mountain View Theater—you can still see the sloped seating area!
Through challenges, including the COVID era, we’ve learned that simple happiness starts with a damn good cup of coffee. We hope to share many more cups—and conversations—with you.
Aloha a hui hou,
Brian & Jan
Koana’s Core Values
Community
The heart of our coffee shop is community. We believe in creating a space where people feel a sense of belonging, where locals, visitors, and artists can come together and share experiences. Our mission is to cultivate relationships that extend beyond a cup of coffee—by fostering cultural enrichment, education, and shared experiences, we contribute to the growth of a strong, supportive network. Here, everyone is welcomed with open arms, and our space is designed to uplift and unite.
Equality
At KOANA, everyone is treated with fairness, respect, and care. It is our commitment to ensuring that all individuals—customers, employees, and collaborators—are given equal opportunities and respect. Whether it's the way we hire staff, engage with suppliers, or serve our customers, we strive to create an environment where all are valued equally. We believe that inclusiveness is fundamental to building a better, kinder world.
Sustainability
KOANA was born out of a commitment to sustainability, both environmentally and socially. Our approach to sustainability is through creativity: we see it as an opportunity to reimagine and rework materials and systems in beautiful and functional ways. Koana was built with upcycling and repurposing in mind, using as many locally sourced and recycled materials as possible. Our goal is to tread lightly on the earth while creating a beautiful and functional space. We also believe in sustaining the community—by supporting local farmers, businesses and artisans, we contribute to the resilience of the local economy. Our practices are grounded in long-term thinking: supporting the land, the people, and the cultural heritage that surrounds us.
Pono
Pono means doing what is right, in balance and harmony with others, nature, and oneself. At KOANA, every decision we make is guided by this principle, from opening in a remote town to help build a community, to supporting those who face adversity, to investing in farmland for future growth. When faced with difficult choices or taking on new challenges, especially during a global pandemic, we remain committed to doing what is right, every step has been taken with the intent to bring balance, fairness, and well-being both within our business and to the broader community we serve.
Aloha
At Koana, the spirit of Aloha is alive in every cup, every conversation, and every smile. Aloha means much more than a greeting—it’s a way of life that embraces love, compassion, and mutual respect. We embody this value by nurturing positive energy and by creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated. Aloha informs not just how we treat our customers, but how we approach life, work, and community.
Kind
Kindness is central to how we operate at KOANA. We aim to make every interaction—from how we treat our staff to how we serve our customers—rooted in compassion and empathy. We understand that people come to us not just for coffee but for a positive experience, a moment of respite, and a sense of connection. Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome and cared for, fostering an atmosphere where kindness is not just encouraged, but practiced every day. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe, valued, and uplifted.
Experience
KOANA isn’t just a place to get a cup of coffee—it’s an experience crafted with intention. Every detail, from the artful design of our space to the way we present our food and beverages, is thoughtfully considered. The shop itself was built as a site-specific installation, utilizing local and repurposed materials to create an immersive environment. Our goal is for every customer to leave feeling enriched, whether it’s through a meaningful conversation, enjoying local art, or simply the beauty and ambiance of the space. We want every visit to KOANA to be a memorable and positive experience.
Creativity
Creativity is at the heart of KOANA. The shop itself is a product of creative problem-solving, from its upcycled design to the way we navigate the challenges of running a business in a remote village. We believe that creativity extends beyond art—it’s a way of thinking and approaching every aspect of life and work. By embracing innovation, we find unique solutions to everyday problems, transforming limitations into opportunities. KOANA is a space where creativity flourishes, not only through the artwork we display but in the way we approach service, community-building, and sustainability.
Trust
Trust is essential to KOANA’s philosophy. We operate with transparency and integrity, making sure that our customers, employees, and partners know they can rely on us to be honest and fair. We believe that building trust starts with being open and real—practicing what we preach and avoiding anything inauthentic. By maintaining clear and open communication with our team and our customers, we foster an environment where trust can grow. This sense of mutual trust strengthens our relationships, creating a cohesive, supportive space for everyone who walks through our doors.
KOANA, we ensure that our coffee shop is not just a business but a beacon of community, creativity, kindness, and aloha.
