Coffee growers from the Ka'u district on the Big Island of Hawai'i have sent 375 pounds of their acclaimed coffee to the troops serving in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan this holiday season.

The growers were assisted in their effort by officials including U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye and the Hawai'i Air National Guard's Maj. Gen. Robert Lee. Lee carried Ka'u's gift to the troops during a whirlwind visit to the front recently and conducted a series of live-remote radio interviews.

"I saw the happiness this gift gave to a lot of Hawai'i's young troops, and the joy with which they shared a little bit of Hawai'i's aloha spirit," said Lee in a written statement.

Added John Ah San, the Ka'u coffee farmer who led the gift-giving effort, "We are thankful every day for the sacrifice of the men and women who serve so bravely in our Armed Forces. They are especially on our minds during this holiday season."

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.