Case Study: Kona Brewing Co reaches #5 in Hawaii hard seltzer with Kaleidoscope packaging design

Kona Brewing Co reaches #5 in Hawaii hard seltzer with Kaleidoscope

Kona Brewing Co faced the challenge of re-entering the hard seltzer market after a 2023 exit, with competitors like White Claw and Maui Brewing Co. having filled the void. They needed to launch an entirely new product that felt like a genuine extension of their beloved island brand. They partnered with the packaging design agency Kaleidoscope to develop a new visual identity and packaging system for this new line.

Kaleidoscope designed a visual identity that positioned the hard seltzer as a younger sibling to Kona's beer—same family but with different energy. The solution featured bold, authentic Hawaiian fruit illustrations on clean white packaging to convey a light and refreshing feel. The measurable impact was significant; launched in March 2026, Kona Hard Seltzer reached the #5 position in the Hawaii hard seltzer category within just three months.

Kona Brewing Co