In the winter of 1978, Dan and Jan left central California for the Big Island on a one-way ticket. Dan worked in construction and carpentry while Jan took various waitress and gift store jobs. They slept on golf courses and beaches at night, using left-behind grass mats from the airport as beds. Later they married and had three children: Malia, Danny, and Kirstina. Though they had little, Dan and Jan were diligent and fearless dreamers.
In 1985 they began a construction company, Bolton Incorporated, with Dan's family that followed the couple west. Bolton Inc became a springboard for many opportunities in the small town of Kona. Soon, ideas collaborated to birth The Kona Coffee and Tea Company. As a family, their goal was to create a unique company that reflects the hard work, passion, and community that is at the core of their history.
First seedlings were planted in the summer of 1997 by Dan, Jan, and their children. Twenty acres were set aside for the development of a farm on Hualalai Mountain. Each year, another 20 acres would be added to meet the demand of coffee sales. Today, KCTC is one of Kona's largest producers: 120 acres of coffee of 2000-3200 feet elevation, producing over 300,000 pounds annually, the development of a second farm that is organic (Malia Ohana) and tea plantations. Coffee from both farms have won various awards, including first place multiple times.
In 2003, KCTC opened a retail coffee shop and won First Place in Gevalia's 2003 Cupping Contest.
KCTC received Honorable Mention in Gevalia's competition in 2007, and in 2009 won First Place again. Coffee from the Hualalai plantaion was paced 6th and coffee from Malia Ohana was placed 10th among 69 Kona Coffee participants for the Hawaii Coffee Association.
