Kona Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Cameron Healy, Spoon Healy |
| Headquarters | Kailua-Kona , United States |
Area served | Hawaii |
Key people | Nathalie Carisey (president) |
| Products | Beer |
Number of employees | 250 |
Kona Brewing Hawaii is a brewery and pub located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, with an additional venue in Hawai‘i Kai on O‘ahu. Previously under the ownership of Craft Brew Alliance, the company has been managed by PV Brewing Partners since September 2020. The brewery offers approximately 10 core beer varieties, distributed solely within the Hawaiian market through its own pubs in Kailua-Kona and Hawai‘i Kai, as well as various island restaurants.
Company history
Established in 1994 by the father-son duo Cameron and Spoon Healy, Kona Brewing Company holds the distinction of being Hawaii’s oldest craft brewery. Over time, it has developed into a brand recognized nationwide. In 2020, Kona Brewing Hawaii separated from its mainland operations to become an independent brewery dedicated to crafting fresh, local beers exclusively for the Hawaiian market.
The expanded facility near its original site spans 30,000 square feet and boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 barrels, featuring a state-of-the-art canning line. This brewery ranks among the most environmentally conscious globally, utilizing onsite solar energy generation and storage, capturing CO2 from fermentation processes, and recycling process water for cleaning and irrigation purposes.
Through its Makana Giving initiative, Kona Brewing Hawaii actively contributes to local communities by supporting nonprofits that align with its environmental and social values. Previous recipients of this support include organizations such as the Eddie Aikau Foundation, Waipā Foundation, and Surfrider Hawai‘i chapters.
Year-round beer offerings
Year-round beers
- Longboard Island Lager
- Big Wave Golden Ale
- Castaway IPA
- Fire Rock Pale Ale
- Kona Light Blonde Ale
- Gold Cliff IPA
- Hanalei Island IPA
Island-exclusive beers
- Island Colada Wheat Ale
- Mai Time Wheat Ale
- Hibiscus Brut IPA
Breweries and sourcing
In 2012, Kona Brewing Company produced beer volumes from both its Kona brewery and mainland facilities. Its primary brewing site is located in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. Additionally, Kona brands were brewed at Widmer Brothers Brewery in Portland, Oregon, as well as at Redhook Ale Brewery sites in Woodinville, Washington, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire—all subsidiaries of Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. Being part of Craft Brew Alliance granted access to Anheuser-Busch’s extensive distribution network, renowned for its advanced technology and broad coverage among independent distributors.
The brewmaster at Kona oversees formulation and production across all partner breweries. To maintain uniformity, Kona’s proprietary yeast along with specific hops and malt are consistently utilized at each location. Water is treated to mimic Hawaii’s unique mineral profile by removing impurities and adding minerals accordingly. Quality control includes sensory evaluations conducted both at the Kona brewery and corporate offices for every batch.
Hawaii roots
Kona Brewing operates three dining establishments within Hawaii and employs around 250 staff members across its brewery operations, restaurants, and corporate offices.
- Rift Zone Indigenous Red Ale features yeast strains native to volcanic rift zones on the Big Island.
- Pipeline Porter is brewed using 100% Kona coffee sourced from neighboring Cornwell Estate.
- Big Island Ginger incorporates ginger cultivated locally in Kona.
- Lemongrass used in Lemongrass Ginger Luau is grown both onsite and in employees’ home gardens.
- Specialty brews include cacao nibs obtained from Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory.
Key personnel
- Nathalie Carisey, president
Expansion and market reach
In 2009, the Brewers Association ranked Kona Brewing Company 14th out of roughly 1,450 craft breweries in the United States. The distribution of Kona's beers spans 25 states along with the District of Columbia.
Their year-round lineup includes Longboard Island Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale, and Fire Rock Pale Ale. The Aloha Series presents seasonal brews such as Wailua Ale (available March through August) and Pipeline Porter (offered September through February), which can be found in bars, grocery outlets, and specialty retailers. In February 2011, Kona introduced its third Aloha Series beer, Koko Brown Ale, targeting the West Coast market.
Bottle caps, labeling, and marketing
Kona’s bottle caps are collectible items featuring Hawaiian vocabulary alongside English translations, totaling a set of 50 unique caps.
The labels depict genuine Hawaiian scenery, including iconic locations like Waikiki Beach on Oahu as seen on the Longboard Island Lager label, with Diamond Head crater prominently displayed. The brand’s logo incorporates tribal tattoo motifs to emphasize its Hawaiian roots.
During the late 2010s, Kona launched the "Bruddahs" marketing campaign starring actors Dave Bell and Brutus La Benz as friends engaging in conversations about mainland culture while endorsing Kona beers. This initiative expanded to national television broadcasts by 2019.
Environmental responsibility and community engagement
Kona Brewing Company actively participates in events that honor Hawaiian culture, land preservation, and marine conservation. It sponsors professional surfers Jeff Silva and CJ Kanuha and supports environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club’s Blue Water Campaign and Surfrider Foundation chapters located in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.
The company hosts the Sno-Kona Pond Skim at Mt. Hood Meadows in Oregon each spring, where skiers compete for prizes that include trips to Hawaii. Additionally, Kona backs Portland’s Backyard Bang snowboarding competition and contributes to the Art Institute of Portland. In 2009, Kona was a sponsor for the Lost Prophets – Search for the Collective North American tour spanning 15 cities.
Since January 2008, Kona has maintained a sustainability coordinator role. According to the Big Island Visitor’s Bureau, their restaurant features construction using recycled materials and native woods while offering menus emphasizing local produce, fresh seafood, and sustainably farmed beef. The brewery employs heat reclamation technology to lower energy consumption and recycles materials including plastic, paper, metal, glass, and cardboard. It also utilizes plant-based containers for takeout orders and installs automated faucets and toilets to conserve water resources.
Controversy over "Hawaiian" brewing claims
In March 2017, Kona Brewing was subject to a class-action lawsuit regarding allegations that its beer was not brewed in Hawaii. The lawsuit was resolved in September 2020; consumers who purchased Kona Beer between February 28, 2013, and June 14, 2019, were eligible for compensation up to $20 with a receipt or $10 without one. Only beer dispensed on tap or sold in cans or bottles within Hawaii is brewed locally; all other production takes place at Craft Brew Alliance facilities located in New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. Following this settlement, all Kona beer packaging must clearly indicate the location of its production.