Waiakea
Hawaiian Volcanic Water
Waiakea is sourced from an artesian aquifer fed by snowmelt and rainfall from Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, US. The water is filtered downward through approximately 13,000 feet of porous volcanic rock before reaching the aquifer. The company was founded in 2012 by Ryan Emmons and Matt Meyer, based in Hilo. Waiakea was the first bottled water brand in the US to be certified carbon neutral, and among the first to use 100% post-consumer recycled plastic packaging. The brand runs a clean water access programme in rural Malawi. Waiakea does not hold EU or UK natural mineral water status; it is sold as artesian water.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 7 |
| Magnesium | 4 |
| Sodium | 7 |
| Sulfate | 4 |
| Chloride | 0 |
| Bicarbonate | 34 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Waiakea is a very soft, lightly mineralised water. The six standard ions are all low: calcium 7 mg/L, magnesium 4 mg/L, sodium 7 mg/L, sulphate 4 mg/L, chloride 0 mg/L (below detection), and bicarbonate 34 mg/L. Total hardness is 34 mg/L as CaCO₃; alkalinity is 28 mg/L as CaCO₃. Six-ion TDS sums to approximately 56 mg/L; reported TDS is approximately 86 mg/L, with the difference largely accounted for by silica at approximately 44 mg/L. Silica at this proportion — exceeding the sum of the standard six ions — is shared with Fiji Water and Fastio among waters in the database. The reported pH of 7.6 is consistent with the volcanic geological environment.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe, but hardness 34 mg/L sits within the 9–266 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 34 mg/L is below the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe, but hardness 34 mg/L sits within the 26–922 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe. Hardness 34 mg/L is below the 46–390 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe. Hardness 34 mg/L is below the 35–212 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe, but hardness 34 mg/L sits within the 12–54 mg/L range typical for these targets.
Where to buy
US
Whole Foods, Target, specialty
$2.00-3.50 per litre
Waiakea is available in the US at Whole Foods, Target, and specialty food retailers, typically $2.00–3.50 (as of March 2026). Positioned in the premium segment. Availability outside the US is very limited. Sold in still format in PET bottles.