Hawaii Volcanic Beverages

Hawaii Volcanic Beverages operates in the premium bottled water market, offering naturally alkaline water sourced from an artesian well on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano. The company was co-founded by the husband-and-wife team, Jason and Channon Donovan, who, after living in Hawaii for over 20 years, were inspired to create a business that benefits the state and its people. The impetus for the company came after a meeting with a Hawaiian elder, Ed Kaiwi, who encouraged them to start a water business. In 2011, the Donovans acquired a defunct bottling plant built in 2008 and, after securing capital from family and friends, launched their first products in glass bottles in 2014.

The company's core product is water that is naturally filtered through volcanic rock, a process that enriches it with minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, resulting in natural alkalinity with a pH level of 8+. This differentiates it from purified waters where minerals and alkalinity are often artificially added. The business model involves direct-to-consumer sales via its website, including a subscription service launched in 2020, and distribution through a network of partners. Initially focused on the Hawaiian market, the company expanded to the mainland U.S. in 2021. Key distribution partnerships with PepsiCo Hawaii, L.A. Libations, and BlueTriton have significantly increased its retail footprint, which includes major chains like Albertsons, 7-Eleven, Whole Foods, and Walmart.

A significant milestone was a $10 million funding round in June 2023, which included an equity investment from beverage accelerator L.A. Libations and professional surfer Bethany Hamilton. This capital infusion was aimed at doubling its retail presence to 8,000 stores. The company prioritizes sustainability, initially packaging exclusively in glass before adding 100% recycled plastic (rPET) bottles to meet market demand. A core part of the brand's identity is its "Pono" or "Doing what's right" philosophy, which manifests in community giveback programs. One such project involved building an eco-playground on Kauai constructed from recycled plastic.

Keywords: naturally alkaline water, artesian water, volcanic filtered water, premium bottled water, Hawaii water, Mauna Loa source, sustainable beverage, eco-friendly packaging, recycled plastic bottles, glass bottled water, electrolyte-rich water, mineral water, Jason Donovan, Channon Donovan, L.A. Libations, beverage distribution, direct-to-consumer beverage, subscription water service, community-focused business, Pono philosophy, beverage industry Hawaii, BlueTriton partnership, PepsiCo distribution