Brewing More Than Coffee: Tradition Coffee Roasters and Our Commitment to Giving Back

At our core, we believe that a great cup of coffee can do more than just fuel your day—it can uplift a community. Many people have asked us who we support, how we stay involved, and what drives our mission, so we wanted to humbly put pen to paper. Our hope is that by sharing the ways we give back, we might inspire other small businesses to do the same, creating a ripple effect of generosity and connection across our islands and beyond.

Community Comes First

From youth programs to disaster relief, we proudly contribute time, resources, and donations to local organizations like Habilitat, Ho'ōla Nā Pua, Hogwarts house, Hawai‘i Sailing Foundation, Society for Hawaiian Archaeology, the Hawai‘i Children’s Cancer Foundation, MODIV Med Spa, and Aulea Swim Club. We've also supported Maui Disaster Relief efforts and educational institutions such as HMA Windward School, the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, Women speaking out, MidPac Turkey Trot, and the Department of Education’s Windward District Wellness Challenge.

We're active supporters of arts and culture, contributing to initiatives like Hawai‘i Contemporary’s Art Labor and volunteering at career days for local schools including Castle High School, Le Jardin Academy, and Makapu‘u Elementary. Our leadership also serves on the Executive Board of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce.

Collaborating for Collective Growth

One of our guiding values is the belief that “all boats rise.” As we grow, we’re committed to uplifting the local businesses and creatives around us. From daily café offerings to special events, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside some incredible small business owners and artists.

Everyday you’ll find goods from small-town bakers and food truck owners served fresh in our café. We've hosted movement classes with local yoga and pilates instructors, and collaborated with creatives like floral designer Kasey of Island Bloom and Dillyn of Palai for lei-making and floral workshops.

We’ve partnered with Chef Bobby of Kalama Kuisine and Pablo Scurto of Bottleheads for intimate dinner experiences at the roastery, and hosted dog training events with Elle of Akamai Dog Training. Artists like Jaimie from Icky Love Pottery and local painters have brought our space to life through hands-on ceramics workshops and paint-and-sip nights.

These partnerships not only help our community thrive—they foster connection, creativity, and a deeper sense of belonging.

Sustainability in Action

Caring for our community also means caring for our environment. We’re proud to support sustainability in several ways. Our spent coffee grounds are collected and donated to the Kawainui Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary where they enrich the soil for native wildlife and support hands-on learning for student ambassadors.

We upcycle cardboard boxes and packing paper to reuse for packing orders. Also, we use recyclable coffee bags and maintain a collection bin in our café for customers to return them. These bags are recycled through the R&R Upcycling program and transformed into ByBlocks, an innovative building material that helps reduce waste while creating something new and useful.

Fundraising for Youth Sports

We believe in investing in the next generation, which is why we recently launched a fundraising program for children’s sports teams, called Team Tradition. Through this initiative, we help young athletes raise money for travel, uniforms, equipment, and other expenses that allow them to pursue their passions and compete at higher levels. For the same reason, we’ve proudly donated to Fastletics, supporting their mission to help children reach their goals in sports, health, and fitness. For us, it’s another way of ensuring that opportunities are accessible—and that our keiki feel supported by their community both on and off the field.

A Team That Gives Back

Giving back is part of our daily rhythm. Each year, our team assists local coffee farmers during harvest season. We donate our spent coffee grounds to nearby farms, support bottle recycling efforts, and engage in industry collaborations through the Hawai‘i Coffee Association. Our community latte art throwdowns bring baristas together from across the islands, combining skill-building with collective support for the local coffee scene.

Education & Empowerment

We believe in hands-on learning and proudly host educational tours and demos for students from UH Mānoa, Kapi‘olani, the Culinary Institute  and Leeward Community College. Our doors are open to aspiring coffee professionals, and we regularly invite the next generation into our space to explore the world of specialty coffee.

Recognition of Excellence

We are humbled to have been awarded Elite certification with Qurator, a program created by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to recognize leaders in responsible tourism. Elite is the highest rating offered, and we earned it across all categories: community, safety, guest experience, culture, equity, and cultural support. This honor is awarded to businesses that uphold the highest standards while enhancing the quality of life in Hawai‘i, protecting our environment, and celebrating our culture. For us, it’s both a recognition of our values and a responsibility we carry forward with pride.

Rooted in Gratitude

Whether we’re sponsoring military spouses' club events or collaborating with the local coffee industry, we’re committed to making a meaningful difference. We believe small businesses can have a big impact—and we’re honored to be part of a community that inspires us every day. We feel grateful to be able to share our love for coffee with the world, and look forward to all the new ways we can get involved and uplift those around us.