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The premium bottled water sector is continuing to diversify its packaging formats to meet the varying sustainability and presentation demands of retail and hospitality channels. Marking its 14th year of operations, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages has introduced Waiākea Paʻa, a premium reusable glass collection.

Named after the Hawaiian word for solid, firm, or permanent, the Paʻa collection joins the brand's existing portfolio, which includes 100% post-consumer recycled OceanPlast® plastic bottles and refillable aluminium options. The addition of glass allows the company to offer packaging formats tailored to different consumer occasions.

Multi-Channel Distribution and Packaging Strategy

The introduction of the glass range is designed to target specific commercial segments where premium presentation is highly valued. While lightweight recycled plastic serves on-the-go retail formats and refillable aluminium is aimed at accounts transitioning away from single-use containers, the new glass bottles are positioned for premium hospitality, fine dining, speciality retail, and home delivery channels.

To support the launch, Waiākea has partnered with National Football League (NFL) quarterback and Hawaiʻi native Marcus Mariota for a regional and digital marketing campaign. The commercial rollout is currently underway, with the products appearing in select US retailers, including Giant Food, Central Market, and Harps Foods, alongside speciality food service and hospitality accounts, with broader distribution scheduled throughout 2026.

The new collection is available in two options:

💧 Still: Volcanic water offering a smooth mouthfeel and natural alkalinity, designed for premium dining and table service.

🫧 Sparkling: A carbonated alternative designed to complement fine dining menus and high-end hospitality environments.

Sourcing and Sustainability Specifications

The Paʻa bottle has been developed to align with the brand's established environmental standards. The glass bottles are manufactured utilising 40% cullet (recycled glass), with the company targeting a transition to 100% recycled glass content over the next five years.

Operating as a Certified B Corporation, the Hilo-founded beverage brand has previously implemented environmental measures across its packaging lines, including the transition of its label inks from petroleum-based variants to carbon-negative, algae-based inks.

The water itself is sourced from rain and snowmelt at the summit of the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaiʻi. As the water filters through thousands of feet of porous volcanic rock within a protected forest reserve, it naturally absorbs minerals including silica, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium. This natural filtration process gives the water its distinctively smooth texture and a naturally alkaline pH.