Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day! We wanted to send love to all the Moms out there and tell you a little about our Mom, Jan Bolton. She founded Kona Coffee & Tea with our Dad and is just an amazing person as well as Mom.

FAVORITE MEMORY OF MOM

“We went on a 9-mile hike to Iceberg Lake in Glacier National Park and she hiked the whole thing in a beat-up pair of shoes (didn't complain once), and jumped in the freezing cold lake at the end like it was no big deal. Another one was watching her gaff a billfish that was larger than her into the boat, only to turn around, smile, and say ‘fish tacos tonight?’” - Kirstina

“I was probably 10 or so and we all received rollerblades for Christmas one year. Mom took us up to Waiki'i Ranch to test them out on the wide-open roads. We started down a hill ahead of mom and watched as she gradually picked up speed, not knowing how to break or slow down. She quickly rolled ahead of us and sped off onto the dirt shoulder trying to run it off, but then tumbled and somersaulted her way to a stop—her limbs flying any which way. We rushed over to find her covered in dirt and eucalyptus leaves. She was cracking up laughing and gratefully unharmed. I remember the dirt in her smile, the sticks and leaves tangled in her hair, and thinking my mom is so awesome.

Another great fearless mom story is when we went to the halfpipe at Old A's. I was sitting on top, trying to gain enough courage to drop in after watching other pipe riders for way too long and being too scared to go. Mom kept encouraging me that I can do it and saying it's not that tall. I finally challenged her to come up and try it. So she took my challenge, put my blades on, and sure enough was sitting up top about to drop in. Surrounded by us kids, we counted her down to go. She released her grip from the side and leaned forward from the ramp and she went! Unfortunately she slipped out at the bottom but I didn't care—MOM WOULD GO! She was always encouraging and raising us kids to do what we love to do.” - Malia

“Watching her play with my daughter, Zadie.” - Danny

THE HISTORY OF KONA COFFEE & TEA

PHOTOS ABOVE: courtesy of the Bolton Family

WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE MOST IN HER?

"She's not afraid to get her hands dirty or do the tasks that no one wants to do. Although she's the president of a company, you will still find her running errands like post office deliveries and making sure the shop is stocked with toilet paper." - Kirstina

"My mom is so giving and helpful. I admire her ability to love. I call her our earth angel because she is always there to assist in any way she can." - Malia

"Her work ethic. She will dive into the dirtiest jobs there are and scrub for hours till it’s clean." - Danny

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO CARRY ON FROM MOM?

"Her giving spirit." - Kirstina

"Her ability to love unconditionally." - Malia

"Her love for others. She will help anyone, anywhere, anytime." - Danny

Kona Coffee & Tea is family-owned-and-operated by the Bolton family in Kona, Hawai'i.

CONTRIBUTORS: THE BOLTON KIDS

KIRSTINA

I am the youngest of three in the Bolton family and the only one not currently in Kona. I live with my husband in Oakland, CA, and work in the travel industry. I'm looking forward to traveling back home when it is safe to do so.

DANNY

I am the middle of three in the Bolton family. I live with my wife Zulay and daughter Zadie here in Kona and work at the coffee mill. Besides coffee, my other passions include bow hunting, the ocean, and art.

MALIA

I am the oldest of the three. While in High School, I helped plant our first coffee (with a fair bit of complaining). I came home from college during summers to work as a barista at our first café. For the over a decade now, I’ve managed our Farm to Cup operation here in Kona.