Dataset
Is shelf “Kona” coffee really Kona?
We checked 41 “Kona” coffee products on the shelves at ABC Stores and Foodland. 66% were not 100% Kona — they were blends or Hawaii-style products trading on the Kona name. Below: the breakdown, and every product we could verify as genuinely 100% Kona.
- 41
- Products
- 34%
- 100% Kona
- 41%
- Blends
- 2
- Retailers
41 products
What’s actually in the bag
Verified 100% Kona
The 14 products we could verify as 100% Kona
These products’ own labels state 100% Kona. We name the verified ones only; blends are reported in aggregate above, not called out individually.
| Product | Brand | Retailer | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Paradise Coffee - Pure Estate 100% Kona Coffee Whole Bean | Hawaiian Paradise Coffee | ABC Stores | — | $46.99 |
| Hawaiian Paradise Coffee - Pure Estate 100% Kona Coffee: Ground | Hawaiian Paradise Coffee | ABC Stores | — | $46.99 |
| Hualalai Estate 100% Kona Coffee 7oz: Ground | Hualalai Estate | ABC Stores | 7 oz | $32.99 |
| Hualalai Estate 100% Kona Coffee 7oz: Whole Bean | Hualalai Estate | ABC Stores | 7 oz | $32.99 |
| Hualalai Estate 100% Kona Peaberry Coffee 7oz: Ground | Hualalai Estate | ABC Stores | 7 oz | $53.99 |
| Hualalai Estate 100% Kona Peaberry Coffee 7oz: Whole Bean | Hualalai Estate | ABC Stores | 7 oz | $53.99 |
| Kona Nightingale 100% Kona Coffee: Ground | Kona Nightingale | ABC Stores | — | $42.99 |
| Kona Nightingale 100% Kona Coffee: Whole Bean | Kona Nightingale | ABC Stores | — | $42.99 |
| Mulvadi 100% Kona Coffee, Ground, 7 Ounce | Mulvadi | Foodland | 7 oz | $22.99 |
| Mulvadi 100% Kona Coffee, Whole Bean, 7 Ounce | Mulvadi | Foodland | 7 oz | $22.99 |
| Royal Kona 100% Kona Coffee 1.75oz Grind 3 Pack | Royal Kona | ABC Stores | 5.25 oz | $27.99 |
| Royal Kona 100% Kona Coffee: Ground | Royal Kona | ABC Stores | — | $39.99 |
| Royal Kona 100% Kona Coffee: Whole Bean | Royal Kona | ABC Stores | — | $39.99 |
| Royal Kona Private Reserve Medium Roast 100% Kona Whole Bean Coffee, 7 Ounce | Royal Kona | Foodland | 7 oz | $29.99 |
14 products
Method
Method & the 2027 law
Sample: 41 coffee products found on the shelves and sites of ABC Stores and Foodland, observed May 25, 2026. Each product’s origin reflects what its own label claims — 100% Kona, a Kona blend, or a broader Hawaii-style product. It is a snapshot, not the whole market.
Under the old rule a “Kona blend” needed only 10% Kona coffee. Since July 2024, Hawaii blends must disclose each origin and its percentage on the front label, and from July 1, 2027 a coffee can’t use the Kona name at all unless it is at least 51% Kona. Many of the blends counted above would need to change their labels.