What You May Not Know About Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice Setup

When you work on a farm, you have to become observant. As we cycle through the seasons, some patterns emerge and re-emerge, and knowing them allows you to understand what nature is trying to tell you this year and highlights any anomalies that may introduce mischief and mayhem into the mix.

When we talk about the art of coffee, we tend to focus on the final product in the cup, the prized roasted bean. I think it surprises many to learn that when our professional Q-graders (like sommeliers for coffee) are evaluating a coffee, our Farm Manager and CEO evaluate the coffee’s production side and ask questions like, “What do we need to do in the field or in the processing that can enhance the actual crop quality, uniformity and consistency for better cup presentation?” Their art is vitally important, and the combination of sensory professionals and farm professionals is very powerful.

As we head into the summer season, when coffee fruit is in full growth mode, field observations are crucial. However, on the Kona coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, those observations are often (temporarily) upstaged by our world-famous sunsets. Kona faces due west, and Kona coast sunsets are recognized within the state of Hawaii as some of the best. Big ocean, big sky, an endless color palette, ethereal cloud formations, and the quiet promise of the green flash all add to the allure.

When you are watching the sunset regularly and consistently, you can actually see the sun change its position on the horizon throughout the year. As we move toward the sun’s northernmost position in the sky, I am reminded of some incredible things that I learned when I was guiding star tours on Mauna Kea. Let me share them with you.

The Summer Solstice

The first thing to know about the summer solstice is that it is a moment in time. It is the same moment for everyone globally, although we would all experience it according to our own time zone. This year in Hawaii, it will be Jun 20, 2025 at 4:42 pm. In New York, it will be the same day at 10:42 pm.

As all things are in perpetual motion, a solstice is simply when the sun reaches its furthest point north or south. It is a brief moment in time. The tropics are defined as being 23.5 degrees north or south of the equator, also known as the Tropic of Cancer (North) and Capricorn (South). In this zone, at least twice a year, the sun will appear directly overhead.

In Hawaii, the sun will be directly overhead at 12:28 PM on May 26, 2025, and again at 12:37 pm on July 15, 2025. This phenomenon is known as “Lāhainā Noon,” in Hawaii and occurs twice a year. In the Arctic Circle, that would correspond to the “midnight sun” or “polar day” when the sun doesn’t set. In the southern hemisphere, it would be “polar night”.

Solstice is composed of two Latin root words: sol (sun), sistere (to stand still). The sun stops its northward or southward march across the sky.

On the summer solstice, you may notice that the sun’s path across the sky is curved. It appears to rise and veers to the right as it passes high overhead. This is different from the straight path the sun follows in late March and late September, which is closer to the equinoxes.

The Earth’s tilt is always in the same direction, meaning for half of the year it is tilted away from the sun and the other half, toward the sun. Make a fist with a pen in hand and tilt it. Now circle it around your coffee cup. Notice that if you start with the tilt toward the cup when you get to the other side, it is tilted away from the cup, and you didn’t change anything. This is why we have seasons.

It is also why the northern hemisphere’s start of summer is the southern hemisphere’s start of winter. As the top of the Earth points toward the sun, the bottom half points away. Do the coffee cup thing again.

People wonder why, when the tilt is at maximum in June, it doesn’t reach peak summer heat until later in July and August. There is a delayed reaction in the warming of the Earth and its oceans, which manifests as more heat later in the summer season.

The Cultural Significance of the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice holds significant cultural meaning globally, symbolizing renewal, abundance, and the peak of the sun’s power. In many cultures, it’s a time for festivals, ceremonies, and celebrations associated with the changing seasons and the sun’s journey.

Stonehenge is aligned to the solstices, and that event can draw 10,000 to 35,000 people.

Bonfires are a central part of many summer solstice celebrations, especially in Northern Europe. They are believed to represent the sun’s strength, ward off evil spirits, and symbolize the abundance of the season. Jumping over bonfires, a tradition in Eastern Europe, is believed to bring good luck and ensure a healthy harvest.

Wearing flower crowns, a common practice in Scandinavian cultures, is believed to harness nature’s magic and promote good health throughout the year. The flowers are often symbolic of the season’s abundance and fertility.

Maypole dancing, particularly in Sweden and other parts of Scandinavia, is a lively and joyous celebration of the summer solstice. The maypole, adorned with flowers, symbolizes rebirth and fertility. Dancing around the maypole is a way to celebrate the season’s abundance and the return of the light.

Gathering at sunrise on the summer solstice, particularly at places like Stonehenge, is a way to connect with the natural world and mark the longest day of the year. Some believe that making a wish or setting an intention while watching the sunrise will bring it to fruition.

Health Benefits of Summer

In the realm of being mindful, many people notice they feel better in the summer. There is a particular mood change that connects with the longer, warmer days. Science now has definitive data to point to some of the physical changes that occur during this much-loved season.

Summer’s increased sunlight exposure helps the body produce vitamin D, crucial for bone health, immune function, and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Increased sunlight is also associated with a rise in serotonin levels, which can reduce anxiety, enhance mood, and encourage better sleep, which in turn fuels higher energy and better cognitive function. Higher serotonin can also regulate appetite, leading in many cases to slight weight loss.

Summer’s pleasant weather encourages more outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and biking, which can improve cardiovascular health, promote weight loss, and are a key component in modern-day mental health. Spending time in nature and engaging in outdoor activities can lower stress levels and anxiety, promote a sense of connection and well-being, and help the body detoxify.

Studies suggest that blood pressure and cholesterol levels may be lower during the summer months, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.

Summer often brings opportunities for social interaction, such as picnics, outdoor parties, and beach trips, and an ever-increasing body of research is finding that humans connecting with other humans in fun and playful activities is vital to longevity and overall health. To kick off the solstice, listen to Greenwell Farms’ “Summer of Greenwell” playlist here.

Solstice Wishes

No matter how you choose to enjoy the Summer Solstice and the treasured summer season, we wish you health, happiness and a perfect cup of 100% Kona Coffee.

Matt Carter

Matt Carter is a retired teacher (1989-2018), part-time musician, farmer, and currently manages Greenwell Farm’s Tour and Retail Store Operations.