Doug’s journey in coffee is a story of passion, transformation, and discovery that spans over four decades. Beginning his career in the corporate world, Doug worked for Mjv Coffee in Seattle before moving to San Francisco, where he joined Nestlé after their acquisition of Hills Brothers Coffee. During nearly 20 years with Nestlé, he held various roles in marketing and product development, but it was his role as Director of Gourmet Operations that ignited a deeper interest in high-quality, gourmet coffee.

A turning point in Doug’s life came during a vacation to Hawaii in the early 2000s. While exploring the Big Island, Doug stumbled upon a real estate ad for a coffee farm. Intrigued by the idea of being on the other side of the coffee world, he and two other families purchased the farm. What began as curiosity soon evolved into a full-blown passion as Doug dove headfirst into coffee farming, eventually expanding to own five farms.

Doug’s love for coffee took him from corporate boardrooms to the fields, where he found joy in working the land and cultivating something tangible. His hands-on approach, combined with years of industry knowledge, led him to experiment with Geisha coffee, a rare and highly sought-after variety. Through a meticulous process of sourcing seeds from Panama and navigating Hawaii’s strict agricultural quarantine laws, Doug began cultivating Geisha on his farm. 

His dedication paid off. Doug’s Geisha coffee quickly gained recognition, winning first place in multiple Kona and state-wide cupping competitions. Along the way, Doug embraced innovative methods, like using black lights to sort beans for higher quality, reflecting his drive for constant improvement.

Beyond farming, Doug’s journey is about human connection—building relationships with fellow farmers, mentors, and international partners. His coffee now reaches markets as far as the Middle East, where he’s forging new partnerships and consulting on coffee farming projects.

Doug’s story is one of reinvention and a lifelong passion for coffee, a journey that took him from corporate meetings to the rich, red soil of Hawaii’s coffee farms, where he continues to pursue excellence in every cup.

Producer: Doug McKenna

Farm Name: Kona Geisha Farms

Location: Kalekekua, Kona, Hawaii Island

Harvest: Hand Picked Winter 2023

Variety: Gesha

Process: Whole cherry anaerobic fermentation, dried in whole fruit

Drying Method: dried in custom dehumidifiers