Kona Deep 500-ml bottle. Courtesy image.

A locally-sourced bottled water is now on hundreds of store shelves in Hawaiʻi. Kona Deep, a deep-ocean drinking water, has launched in the Aloha State first before it expands to the mainland.

Kona Deep comes from melted glacial water, which sunk to the ocean floor more than 1,000 years ago, creating a deep ocean current that still flows today. On its journey across the ocean floor and along volcanic fissures, this infinitely renewable source absorbs naturally-occurring electrolytes and minerals that help with hydration and body balance.

Kona Deep was founded by area locals in 2006. While it was available in Hawaiʻi for a short time, company leaders say they were more focused on exporting to Asia, where the benefits of deep ocean water are well-known. Now, they’ve begun widespread distribution throughout our state, and soon, to mainland markets.

While deep ocean water is difficult to access, company officials say the coast of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi provides an ideal location to source and bottle the water. That’s because the ocean floor falls sharply to more than 3,000 feet below the surface. At this depth, near-freezing cold and prolonged darkness create a pure water that is protected from light and surface ocean water. Once brought to the surface, the water is desalinated and bottled at the source with a total dissolved solids (TDS) content of 250. During the process, nothing is added.

Professional surfer Malia Manuel will serve as an ambassador Kona Deep drinking water. Photo courtesy of Ryan Miller.

World-class professional surfer Malia Manuel will serve as an ambassador for the new brand. Kona Deep is available in 500-ml and 1-liter bottles at more than 150 stores across Hawaiʻi, including Foodland, KTA, Minit Stop and Down to Earth.