Hawaii Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers
Hawaii, the Aloha State, is known for its sandy beaches, paradise vistas, and tasty, fruity cocktails with little umbrellas and strong pineapple and coconut flavors. This island state is attractive for alcohol suppliers, distributors, and retailers for many reasons, which we’ll outline in our state guide below. Brand owners are encouraged to read the guide in orther to learn every important aspect of buying and selling alcohol in the state of Hawaii.
Also, as the tourist industry is on the rise again, the Paradise of the Pacific will be even more attractive to distilled spirits, wine and beer wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. Read our guide to learn all the industry insights regarding the alcoholic beverage market in Hawaii and get vital help and advice from the experienced Park Street team.
Consumption Trends In Hawaii
Hawaii is a very attractive state when it comes to alcoholic beverage industy opportunities. The consumption has shifted overtime, with consumers increasing their consumption within certain product types. You will find charts showcasing the growth in consumption broken down by beer, wine, and spirits. The data is displayed over a five-year period. There’s been a +1.06% CAGR for spirits, +1.21% CAGR for wine, and -0.09% CAGR for beer over this particular 5-year period. Please reach out to us for more information related to this data.
Hawaii Spirits Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Hawaii Wine Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Hawaii Beer Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Hawaii Spirits Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Spirit trends in Hawaii by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
Dollar Sales Millions |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Whiskey | 88 | N/A |
| Canadian Whisky | 47 | N/A |
| Scotch whisky | 44 | N/A |
| Irish whiskey | 13 | N/A |
| Gin | 32 | N/A |
| Vodka | 360 | N/A |
| Rum | 165 | N/A |
| Tequila | 92 | N/A |
| Cordials/Liqueurs | 80 | N/A |
| Cocktails | 24 | N/A |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Hawaii Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
See below for the wine trends in Hawaii by volume sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Table | 2,000 |
| Wine Coolers | Unknown |
| Champagne & Sparkling | 231.5 |
| Dessert & Fortified | 4.7 |
| Vermouth & Aperitif | 6 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Hawaii Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
See below for the beer trends in Hawaii by volume sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 2.25 Gallon Cases |
Volume Sales barrels |
|---|---|---|
| Craft | 1.6 | 50.5 |
| FMBs & Hard Seltzer | 1.0 | 31.7 |
| Super & Super Premium | 1.4 | 45.6 |
| Light | 6.2 | 200.2 |
| Popular | 0.2 | 7.0 |
| Imported | 4.2 | 134.2 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
The Top 10 Spirits Brands
In Hawaii
- Coming Soon
The Top 10 Table Wine Brands
In Hawaii
- Coming Soon
The Top 10 Domestic Beer Brands
In Hawaii
- Coming Soon
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Hawaii
The United States operate on what’s known as the “three-tier” system. The “middle tier” of this system consists of wholesalers and/or importers. These businesses receive products from suppliers and manufacturers who then sell those products to distributors. The distributors then distribute products to retailers such as bars, restaurants, package stores, etc. This three-tier system is a non-negotiable for all alcohol sales in the United States.
Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Hawaii. Need more info on the various beverage distributors located throughout the United States? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.
Wine & Spirits Distributors
Coming Soon
Beer Distributors
Coming Soon
More Distributors in Hawaii (A-Z)
Coming Soon
Self-Pitch Distribution Model
One of the hardest problems with brand development in the United States is frequently stated as finding distribution for your product.
There are hundreds of brands competing for the same market share and few distributors to select from today.
As an alternative, using Park Street’s self-pitch distribution model is one of the best options out there for brands today.
The self-pitch distribution model is comparable to the three-tier conventional distribution model in that goods is distributed to retailers, but the main distinction is that the supplier is in charge of sales and marketing.
Selling Alcohol In Hawaii
In the state of Hawaii, a regulatory agency handles all aspects of alcohol including the sale and purchasing of alcohol, importing, manufacturing, consumption and more. The The Department of Liquor Control is largely responsible for all things mentioned above. There are additional departments within counties that share responsibility as well.
If you’re looking to sell alcoholic beverages in Hawaii, then you must understand the rules and regulations. Keep in mind, rules and regulations often vary depending on the county. Should you need more insight or answers, please get in touch with us.
FAQs on Hawaii Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales
What are the policies regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Hawaii?
Alcohol can be sold at various times depending on the business type and county. For example, retail sales may take place between 6 AM and 11 PM in most counties. As for on-premise consumption, restaurants and bars are able to sell from 8 AM – 2 AM. Again, these rules may change from county to county.
What are the hours retailers can sell alcohol?
Retailers are allowed to sell alcohol in Hawaii at off-premise retail stores until 11 PM. On-premise retailers are allowed to sell alcohol until 2 AM.
What are the alcohol laws in Hawaii?
The most important alcohol law in the state of Hawaii is that you must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol in the state. Servers are allowed to serve customers providing they are 18 years of age and that a supervisor who is 21 or older is present.
Do Walmart, Target, and CVS sell alcohol in Hawaii?
Walmart and Target do sell alcohol in Hawaii.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in grocery stores in Hawaii?
Yes, spirits, wine, and beer are all sold in retail stores, as well as grocery stores They are sold until 11 PM.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in gas stations in Hawaii?
Yes, they do sell at gas stations in Hawaii. They can sell 7 days a week between the hours of 6 AM and 11 PM.
What is the alcohol excise tax in Hawaii?
Wine
Still Wine:
$1.38 per gallon
Sparkling Wine:
$2.12 per gallon
Beer/Malt:
$0.93 per gallon
Liquor:
$5.98 per gallon
Buying Alcohol In Hawaii – Hours, Locations & Taxes
Learn all the most important things about buying distilled spirits, wines, and beer in Hawaii. You’ll find all the most frequently asked questions and the answers to them below.
FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Hawaii
Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in HI?
Yes, you can buy beer, wine, and spirits at grocery stores in the state of Hawaii.
Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in Hawaii?
Yes, you can buy alcohol in gas stations in Hawaii. They typically sell 7 days a week between 6 AM and 12 PM.
Does Hawaii allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
Yes, they allow DTC shipping for wine and spirits, but not beer.
What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in Hawaii?
Times may vary depending on the county and type of establishment. Usually, off-premise locations will sell until about 11 PM. Bars and other on-premise establishments will sell until 2 AM.
Can you order alcohol to go in Hawaii?
Yes, you’re able to order alcohol to go in Hawaii. They have services like Instacart in major cities.
Where in Hawaii can you buy alcohol off-premise?
You can buy alcohol off-premise in various counties such as Honolulu County, Kauai, Maui, and other Hawaii counties.
Where can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption in HI?
Typically all locations until 2 AM, unless a cabaret license is in place, allowing the business to serve until 4 AM.
(Data Sources: hawaiicounty.gov, wikipedia.org)
At Park Street, we provide services to thousands of clients looking to expand their reach and improve their processes. If you’re looking to grow your brand and focus on marketing while we do the rest, then please reach out to us!
Looking For An Importer, Distributor or Back-Office Solution?
Find out why Park Street is a leading distributor and solution in the wine & spirits industry. Contact us to find out exactly what we can do for your brand.