2023 was a remarkable year for many reasons. It felt like it was the first year since 2019 that our farms and business were able to run unhindered by external events (Covid). So while the engines churned to get going again in 2022, the wheels at LBD turned smoothly for all of 2023.
The chocolate we planted during Covid has begun to show signs of what will soon be a new full blown commercial farming venture in 2024, although I’m not sure we are ready to face this challenge as farm production will certainly outpace what we can sell in the limited number of stores we currently operate in.
The corn that was planted in 2022 went in for bourbon making last fall, so this year was all about selling and continuing to age our great whisky as the corn farm lays quiet.
Cigar sales boomed in Hawaii, and inventory moved in and out from Kauai and Nicaragua, and into the hands of our faithful customers. A major legal victory also occurred in Washington, DC. as U.S. District Judge, Amit Mehta, threw out an FDA rule regulating premium cigars like cigarettes. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/judge-throws-out-fda-rule-regulating-premium-cigars-like-cigarettes-2023-08-10/ This was certainly welcome news for our industry that has been seeking to save itself from government over regulation. I continue to enjoy my personal favorite cigar, the Waialeale Kapaa which is an incredibly rich and medium to full bodied cigar. This 50 ring gauge cigar at 4 inches always seems to be the right length for an easy story, and it always leaves room for a second cigar if the conversation is that enjoyable!
The coffee harvest in 2023 was bountiful and the quality and quantity of raw cherry was as good as we’ve seen in years. With a heavy pruning around Christmas the farm will see a slight downturn in 2024, but our inventory from pre pruning harvests has always carried us through in past years. Coffee harvests are a family tradition for the Marshall Islanders who help out on the farm. Going on 20 years we couldn’t manage the picking and coffee production on our own!
Managers Tai and Trevyn also found extra time to entertain Tai’s son, and his classmates at the coffee farm in 2023. The kids, teachers and parents especially enjoyed the chocolate making as Trevyn demonstrated his bean to bar chocolate making skills. Maybe some of these youngsters will even go on to be future farmers and entrepreneurs in Hawaii agriculture.
On the home front my daughter started her second year at college and my son his second year in high school. For now it seems like Jessica will follow a path in medicine, and Jorgen will pursue his interest in business and entrepreneurialism. Gigi continues to love teaching math at Kauai Community College, and working with area teachers to foster early college education among Kauai high school students. I seem to always stay busy while working the logistics to support our supply chain and brand development which is spread out from Kauai farms to Esteli, Nicaragua, Spokane, Washington, China and beyond. The 24/7, 12 month a year job works well for me as I squeeze in free time when I desire.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and we wish you all the best in 2024!
Sincerely,
Les, Gigi, Jessica, Jorgen, Tai, Trevyn, Bryce, Lei and Donald
LBD COFFEE, LLC 