Who is Kona Blue?

Kona Blue Water Farms, LLC, began with a dream: To revolutionize the aquaculture industry by pioneering sustainable production of marine fish.

Kona Blue was founded in 2001 by Dr. Dale Sarver and Neil Anthony Sims, marine biologists and longtime Kona residents, who believed there was an opportunity for sustainably managed open ocean aquaculture of high-value, sushi-quality fish. After three years of research and development, Kona Blue received an investment infusion in 2004 from Thomas McCloskey, President and CEO of Cornerstone Holdings, in Aspen, Colorado, and other investors from the Mainland and Hawaii.

Kona Blue is now the first integrated hatchery and offshore fish farm in the country, an advantage the company will strengthen as it expands in Hawaii and beyond.

Kona Blue’s premiere achievement is Kona Kampachi^®, a premium sushi-grade Hawaiian yellowtail species. Kona Kampachi^® is proudly served at sushi bars and white-tablecloth restaurants in the Hawaiian Islands and on the U.S. Mainland, and is also available at select fresh fish markets.

Kona Blue is committed not only to excellence in fish culturing and to producing a high-quality product, but also to environmental stewardship. Sustainability and minimum ecological impact have always been priorities for the company.

Kona Blue’s dedicated staff includes many experts in their respective fields—people from many different origins and walks of life. Despite this diversity, all Kona Blue employees share an abiding belief in the company’s mission of environmental integrity and consumer health.

Combining cutting-edge aquaculture technology with an experienced and dedicated team will continue to define Kona Blue as it moves into the global seafood marketplace of the future.