Grown on the volcanic slopes of Hawaii's Big Island, Kona coffee commands some of the highest prices in the world — which makes it an obvious target for mislabelling. US federal prosecutors have filed a superseding indictment against the owner of Kona Coffee Café, who is accused of selling imported coffee as "100% Kona" from 2012 until April 2024, through her café, an online shop and Amazon.
The case in federal court in Honolulu now runs to 28 counts, including wire fraud, transactions in alleged criminal proceeds and obstruction. The new additions are four tax counts covering 2019 to 2022, alleging understated receipts and inflated expenses. Prosecutors say she bought roughly 194,500 pounds of foreign green coffee, and the government is seeking forfeiture of at least $5.26 million.
She pleaded not guilty on 7 October, and her attorney says she maintains her innocence. A jury trial originally set for 1 February 2027 is expected to be pushed back.