Founders
Dave & Trudy Bateman
Heavenly Hawaiian Senior Team
Bill Myers, General Manager
Bill is a refugee from the political world of Washington, DC, where he spent an entire career helping to create the mess we have today. He arrived in Kona 15 years ago, traded political intrigue for Hawaiian aloha, and is now slowly redeeming those pieces of his soul he had previously sold off by helping to create Kona’s best coffees and build what is now Hawaii's highest-rated coffee farm. In his spare time, Bill restores historic churches.
Ray Taggart, Farm Manager
Originally from Minneapolis, he escaped the arctic winters and hot humid summers of Minnesota, to the Big Island to follow his calling of becoming a farmer. No, he is not crazy, he just loves nature and plants just as much as he loves people. Supported in his dream by his wife Wendy and daughter Harmony, they made the leap for a new start. After working with a few other farmers in the Kona District, using his knowledge of hydroponics and precision agriculture to help improve quality and output, and his sales and marketing experience to help sell the products to new markets, he was asked to join the Heavenly Hawaiian family.
With an eye ever on the highest quality, by using the newest research and technology, utilizing the best cultural practices and techniques to improve production. He hopes to constantly improve Heavenly Hawaiian's farm and coffee.
Alexandria Hollis, Quality Assurance and Coffee Club Manager
Hailing from central Virginia, Alex has always dreamed of working in coffee. After joining our work trade program for 5 months, her dream came true when the farm offered her a full time position, and she has been working here since. She looks forward to learning more about coffee and becoming a professional coffee roaster and taster (Arabica Q Grader).
Alison Lancelotti, Work-Exchange Manager and Graphic Designer
Alison Lancelotti is a transplant fruit farmer from Des Moines, IA. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Graphic Design, Studio Arts & minored in Environmental Studies). Iowa usually produces hard-working, salt-of-the-Earth folks and she likes to think she’s made her Prairie People proud.
Art Schumann, Fire Roast Master
Art, true Kama'aina, Big Island-born. Veteran by choice (thank you, Art). Life-long coffee farmer and avocado-purveyor to the stars. Island Guide Extraordinaire, from Mountain to Farm. Our Chief Storyteller!
Haley, Konalani Manager
Hi! My name is Haley, I'm originally from Toledo Ohio. I moved to Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm back in Jan 2020 and now i'm the Manager of Konalani Coffee Bar! I'm super stoked for the opportunities I have here in Hawai'i, simply just because I never thought I would have them. I am constantly doing research on how else I can better Konalani. I also love taking pictures around the farm, you'll almost always see me with my camera around my neck everywhere I go. I have realized since being on the farm how much I love the coffee process and am amazed every time I learn something new. Very grateful and excited for what's to come (:
Our Furry Friends
Sami the Cat, Our Grande Dame
Exiting her self-imposed isolation from adoring fans, Sami can occasionally be seen accepting obeisance from her staff.
Umi the Cat, Chief of Gecko Control/Coffee Influencer
From humble beginnings as the official poke taster at a popular Kona restaurant, Umeke decided to quit his job on the spot to join our ohana at the farm. Now he spends his days giving tours of the farm, accepting love from all of his adoring fans, sampling the trees for the best scratching posts, and controlling our gecko population.
Havvana the Dog, Chief Enforcer/Coffee Influencer
Also known as Ray's shadow, all of our ohana here knows who is really in charge. Nana can be found on the farm instructing our staff on their tasks, making sure that all of our farm vehicles are being utilized properly, and testing all of the best sunbeams for the best napping area.
Heavenly Hawaiian WorkStay
Randi Lancelotti
Aloha! I am Randi. I am from the midwest. Iowa to be exact. I grew up in the city but was fortunate enough to experience the enchanting farm life every summer while staying with family. I am starting a new chapter in my life and couldn't think of a better place to do it than right there. I'm enjoying the less stressful, slower paced world of coffee compared to my 17 year career as a Realtor in Iowa.I knew little to nothing about coffee when I arrived on the scene here and still have a long way to go. The daily experiences here on the farm are not only educational, they're entertaining as well.
Savanna
Aloha, my name is Savanna, most call me Sav. This is my second time around at Heavenly Hawaiian. I started my travel journey to the aina years ago with my mom, as she used to live here. I fell in love with this heaven on earth, devastated when I had to leave, my longing to go back never went away. As I grew older, I continued coming to the aina by myself, knowing that one day this is were I'd live. I first came to the farm in September, 2019 from Vancouver, Canada. Where I was born, breathing and working as a manager and head barista of a cafe. Previous to my work in the coffee industry I had been working in nurseries, as a landscaper, and farmer. I've always had a love for agriculture and helping the environment. Which is why Heavenly Hawaiian was perfect for me. I have learned so much about coffee farming and continuously learning more. With all the knowledge I've gained, I can't wait to further it into a career path.
Brayden
Hi, my name is Brayden Mogg. I am twenty years old, and I grew up around Denver, CO. I've always been attracted to nature and the outdoors, probably because I've been skiing, hiking and biking for longer than I remember. I'm currently an undergraduate student at Graceland University studying Allied Health. After undergraduate, I plan to continue school and hopefully become a doctor of physical therapy. In the meantime, I'm enjoying myself here at Heavenly Hawaiian, learning a lot about coffee and farming, and hoping to explore the island once the world returns to normal.
Owen
I'm Owen Costello hailing all the way from Connecticut! I graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2013 with a degree in Communications and Media Studies. After college I began working on organic farms, cafes as a barista and in kitchens. In 2018 I went to Thailand where I recieved my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification and began freediving. In November 2019 I came to Kona to continue progressing in freediving and found myself, happy and grateful, at Heavenly Hawaiian as part of the workstay program. I have come to love Kona and I plan on staying in this area for years to come.
Amy
Hey there friends! I'm Amy! I grew up in Excelsior, Minnesota, a lake town West of the Twin Cities. I went to college in Fort Collins, Colorado where I studied botany and wildlife biology. I came to the farm after graduating from Colorado State University in December 2019. I knew I either wanted to WWOOF or join up with the Peace Corp and thought the work stay program at Heavenly Hawaiian farms would be a good introduction to the lifestyle. As a botanist, I knew I would enjoy working outdoors and learning about the agricultural processes involved with a coffee farm.
Zack
Aloha! I'm Zack and I'm from Lake Villa, Illinois. I'm a computer science/psychology major who loves coffee and games. My favorite show is The Mandalorian and I drink too many Arizona Green Teas. I'm here till August!