Tradition Coffee Roasters’ Throwdown Supports Pono Collective
Tradition Coffee Roasters hosting their first-ever throwdown on May 15, 2025. Photo by Pono Collective
It was an energetic evening at Kapa‘a Industrial Park, on Thursday, May 15, as 16 competitors threw down at Tradition Coffee Roasters in a friendly, single-elimination latte art tournament. Families, friends, coworkers, and community members filled the award-winning Kailua roastery and café, cheering on their favorite competitor as they poured their best tulips and rosettas to the panel of esteemed judges in hopes of advancing to the next round. But beyond winning and bragging rights, they were pouring for a purpose, as Thursday’s throwdown also served as a fundraiser, with proceeds from raffle ticket sales going to support Pono Collective.
“This competition was about more than coffee and latte art; it was about community. Pono Collective shares that vision, which made them the right partner.”
Tradition Coffee Roasters is known across Hawai‘i’s coffee community as a hub for industry competitions and community events, but this was their first-ever latte art throwdown, organized and led by their barista and national latte art competitor, Sam Basarab. Before joining Tradition Coffee Roasters, Basarab worked at Relevant Coffee in Vancouver, Washington, and has been involved in the specialty coffee industry for nearly a decade. Since moving to Hawai‘i, Basarab has represented Tradition Coffee Roasters, competed in, and won several latte art throwdowns across the islands, including the most recent win at the Maui Coffee Association’s Seed to Cup Festival in early August.
Back in March, Basarab reached out with the idea of Tradition Coffee Roasters hosting its first throwdown, with proceeds benefitting Pono Collective. “Partnering with Pono Collective felt natural; they’re building bridges and uplifting the community the same way (we) Tradition Coffee Roasters hoped this competition would,” Basarab explained. “This competition was about more than coffee and latte art; it was about community. Pono Collective shares that vision, which made them the right partner.”
Celebrating a fun evening and incredible partnership! From left: Marc Marquez, Acting Executive Director of Pono Collective; Brian and Lindsey Burik, Owners of Tradition Coffee Roasters; and Sam Basarab, Throwdown Organizer and Barista of Tradition Coffee Roasters. Photo by Kimberly Oshiro
The throwdown attracted competitors from all over O‘ahu, including Hawai‘i Island. From coffee growers and sensory specialists to roasters, business owners, and baristas, it was a great representation of the many roles in our coffee community, capturing the spirit and mission of Pono Collective. Lindsey Burik, Co-Owner of Tradition Coffee Roasters, shared, "Our favorite part of the throwdown was how it brought the coffee community and coffee enthusiasts together. We loved providing a space that bridges the two while inspiring new coffee lovers. We’re also incredibly proud of Sam for taking the lead in organizing the event — it’s a perfect example of how the coffee industry offers meaningful, long-term career paths, and he’s paving the way."
Support from sponsors and local businesses is crucial for any community event, and Tradition Coffee Roasters brought together an amazing group for their throwdown. La Marzocco, Espresso Parts, Acaia, Prima Coffee Equipment, and Airscape provided support, along with local companies Mānoa Chocolate, Pono Potions, and Pinch of Salt Club. Even sponsors participated in the event. Pono Potions, an O‘ahu-based company that makes naturally flavored syrups from local ingredients for coffee, cocktails, and culinary uses, served refreshing mocktails, including members of their team, who were also competing in the throwdown.
From left: Ariel Ann Shepherd-Hall, Yusuke Yamamoto, and Bronson Willing get ready to serve as the judging panel for the throwdown. Photo by Kimberly Oshiro
Industry veterans Ariel Ann Shepherd-Hall, Bronson Willing, and Yusuke Yamamoto, who bring years of experience as skilled baristas, sat across the bar serving as judges for the throwdown. They evaluated each cup to decide who would move forward. They carefully chose the winning cup in each heat based on criteria like the quality of milk foam, design clarity, contrast, symmetry, balance, and overall impression.
Flying in from Kailua-Kona, Micah Jackson (middle) of White Nene Coffee Roasters leaves Kailua, O‘ahu taking first place. Jackson is joined by Sky Kikuchi (left), who secures third, while Daryl Fukunaga (right) takes second. Photo by Kimberly Oshiro
After four exciting rounds of competition, Micah Jackson of White Nene Coffee Roasters won first place, followed by Daryl Fukunaga of Dean & DeLuca, and Sky Kikuchi of Tradition Coffee Roasters, who took second and third place, respectively. Each received a cash prize along with coffee gear and swag from the generous event sponsors. As the throwdown ended, a surge of appreciation and gratitude swept through the café and roastery. From camaraderie among the crowd and competitors to reunions of friends and former colleagues, everyone helped make this throwdown an evening to remember.
A huge mahalo to Tradition Coffee Roasters for their continued support of Pono Collective and for creating opportunities and events like this to further elevate our Hawai‘i coffee industry and community.