Kona Brewing Company

Kona Brewing Company

Kona Brewing Company recognizes that the future of the Earth depends upon how businesses and individuals treat the Earth. To show its commitment to sustainability, Kona Brewing Company utilizes the services of a Sustainability Coordinator within its company. Most of the Kailua-Kona brewery’s spent grain is given to a cattle rancher, and the remaining amount is used as an ingredient in the pubs’ pizza dough and breads. Kona Brewing Company champions recycling, is careful with its waste and supports groups that strive to protect the environment. Throughout its facilities, much of the building material has been recycled. Its disposable cups that are used at festivals and events are biodegradable, and its to-go containers are compostable. The brewery uses heat exchangers to reclaim thermal energy for water heating in the brewing process. The pub uses a heat reclamation system on its air conditioner for water heating in the kitchen. A whiskey barrel collects more than 90 gallons of condensation per day from air conditioning systems, and the water is used for landscaping irrigation. The list goes on and on. An integral component of Kona Brewing Company’s business plan is to grow the business with ecological integrity, reducing the company’s carbon footprint whenever possible. By producing its bottled beer and mainland draft beer on the mainland, close to markets, Kona Brewing Company has dramatically reduced its reliance upon transportation fuel for raw materials, packaging and distribution. Kona Brewing Company is an integral part of its community and thus, sees a strong need to and feels passionate about giving back to its community. Kona Brewing Company has supported or hosted numerous fundraising campaigns for community organizations, such as Bishop Museum, Kokua Festival, Sierra Club’s Blue Water Campaign and Surfrider Organization. It plays a continued role in organizing the Kona Brewers Festival, which has raised more than $350,000 for local environmental, educational and cultural organizations over the past 14 years. The company also provides support to sporting events, such as the Molokai World Championships canoe and surfski race and the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.