Hawaiʻi Coffee Association Names Abigail Munoz as New Executive Director to Lead Strategic Growth
April 19 - 2026
Coffee Geography Magazine
The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association (HCA) has named Abigail Munoz as its new executive director, a key hire aimed at driving the organization’s ambitious new strategic plan forward.
The announcement comes on the heels of a three-day strategic planning session held, where HCA board members worked with consultant Lee Safar of Map It Forward to map out the future of the state’s coffee industry.
According to the association, the intensive sessions clarified the organization’s direction, but also highlighted a critical need. “Bringing this plan to life the right way would take dedicated leadership,” said HCA President Ryson Nakamasu.
In response, the board unanimously elected Munoz, who brings experience from her work with Monarch Coffee. Nakamasu praised the decision, stating that “she was absolutely the right person for this role.”
“Abby brings enthusiasm, passion and real expertise to the table, and we are confident she is exactly who our industry needs as we step into the new era of specialty coffee and the global market,” Nakamasu added.
Munoz, who described the coffee community as a “meaningful part of my life for many years,” expressed deep gratitude for the position. She emphasized that the unique quality of Hawaiian coffee is due not just to the growing conditions, but to the people behind it—including farmers, families, innovators, and volunteers.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into the role of executive director for the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association,” Munoz said. “This community has been a meaningful part of my life for many years, and the relationships built through Hawaiʻi Coffee Association have shaped much of my journey in coffee.”
In her new role, Munoz said she is most excited about helping to bring the community together and executing the vision outlined in the board’s recent strategic plan. Her goals include strengthening Hawaiʻi’s reputation as a world-class coffee origin and supporting the work already happening across the state’s industry.
“I’m honored by the trust the board has placed in me and look forward to continuing this work alongside such an incredible community,” Munoz said.