Honolulu, Hawaii · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Lion Coffee

Owned by Hawaii Coffee CompanyRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info

TagsLion Coffee Hawaii coffee roasters Hawaii Owned by Hawaii Coffee Company Roasts in-house

Lion Coffee is a historic American coffee brand that transitioned from its 19th-century roots in Ohio to become a staple of the Hawaiian coffee scene. The company operates a large roasting facility in Honolulu where it produces a wide variety of classic roasts, flavored coffees, and premium 100% Hawaiian single-origin beans. They are deeply integrated into local culture, offering tours and maintaining a strong presence as a top-selling brand in the islands.

Corporate ownership disclosure

Lion Coffee is owned by Hawaii Coffee Company

Lion Coffee is a brand under the Hawaii Coffee Company, which operates as a family of sister companies including Royal Kona Coffee. The brand moved from Ohio to Hawaii in 1979 to focus on local production.

Ultimate owner: a mid-size coffee group

Ownership is disclosed when documented. Corporate parents can shape sourcing and independence claims. Public sources were researched as of 2026-10-03.

See every brand in this owner's portfolio →

Ownership

Founded

1864

Roasting

Reported to roast in-house.

What it's known for

Lion Coffee is widely recognized as one of America's oldest coffee brands and Hawaii's leading local coffee roaster. It is particularly famous for its traditional roasts and signature tropical-flavored coffees, such as Vanilla Macadamia.

Sourcing countries

United States (Hawaii) · Various international origins

Farm-level sourcing

The brand sources 100% Hawaiian coffee from island farmers, specifically highlighting regions like Kona and Maui. While they emphasize sourcing from local farmers for their Hawaiian lines, they do not publicly disclose specific farm or producer names for their broader range of blends.

Notable coffees

— 100% Kona Coffee
— 100% Maui Coffee
— Vanilla Macadamia Flavored Coffee
— Toasted Coconut Flavored Coffee
— Lion Original Roast
— Diamond Head Roast

Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from Lion Coffee

These are examples recorded during editorial research. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.

Lion 100% Maui Coffee

Maui, Hawaii

This coffee offers distinctive notes of almond and dark chocolate with a full-bodied flavor and a crisp finish.

Original roaster or listing source

Hawaiian Lion 24k Gold Roast 100% Kona Coffee

Kona Coast, Hawaii

This light roast coffee features gentle brightness, subtle sweetness, and a clean, silky finish.

Original roaster or listing source

Lion Premium Gold 10% Kona Blend Coffee

10% Kona Coffee and 90% Foreign-Grown Coffee

This light roast blend offers a mellow, full-bodied flavor with subtle sweetness and a delicate, citrus-hinted finish.

Original roaster or listing source

Diamond Head Roast 10% Hawaiian Blend Coffee

10% Hawaiian Coffee and 90% Foreign-Grown Coffee

This full-bodied Italian roast provides a rich, zesty taste that is heavy and strong.

Original roaster or listing source

External customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.

Verify original product sources

Retailer information: Lion Coffee

Documented physical retailers

Lion Café and General Store

Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's own physical café and retail shop located at their roastery in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Physical

Documented online sources

Lion Coffee's online shop

Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website offering their full range of coffee beans, flavored roasts, and merchandise.

Website

Hawaii Coffee Company online store

Historical source note (not live inventory): The parent company's e-commerce platform that sells a wide selection of Lion Coffee products.

Website

I was able to verify the brand's own physical café and their primary online storefronts; however, while the brand states they are sold in various grocery and club stores throughout Hawaii and internationally in Japan, they do not provide a specific, searchable list of these third-party retail partners on their website.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Oct 13, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.

In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Lion Coffee, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-07-14 · HI Now

Lion Coffee launches new limited edition artist series

Lion Coffee has introduced a limited edition artist series featuring custom packaging designed by local muralist Kamea Hadar. The launch included a community event in Waikiki and the release of branded merchandise, highlighting the brand's ongoing efforts to engage with Hawaii's local creative community.

Sources used in this deep dive

Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-03. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand provides general information about sourcing from Hawaiian island farmers, specific farm-level details or the exact origins of their non-Hawaiian coffee beans are not publicly disclosed.

Lion Coffee

Coffees researched from Lion Coffee

Lion 100% Maui Coffee

Hawaiian Lion 24k Gold Roast 100% Kona Coffee

Lion Premium Gold 10% Kona Blend Coffee

Diamond Head Roast 10% Hawaiian Blend Coffee

Retailer information: Lion Coffee

Your coffee interests. Every section.