New class action lawsuit claims Hawaiian Host sells African macadamia nuts as authentically Hawaiian

On April 29, 2026, William "Toby" Morris, Brad K.A. Akana and Stasia Droze Jost filed a class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Host LLC in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaii.

The lawsuit alleges Hawaiian Host fills its macadamia nut products with cheap imported nuts sourced primarily from Africa while marketing them to consumers as authentically Hawaiian. The plaintiffs are Hawaii residents who purchased Hawaiian Host macadamia nut products.

Who is Hawaiian Host?

Hawaiian Host LLC does business as Hawaiian Host Group and sells macadamia nut products under five brands: Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, MacFarms, KOHO and Kapua Orchards. The company controls approximately 80% of the macadamia nut processing capacity in Hawaii, according to the complaint.

Alleged harm to consumers and the Hawaii macadamia market

The plaintiffs claim Hawaiian Host's dominant position allows the company to flood the market with imported nuts, capitalizing on the goodwill and reputation of Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts. Consumers pay a premium for what they believe are Hawaii-grown nuts yet receive a foreign-sourced product instead, the complaint alleges. The packaging and labeling reportedly do not tell consumers when the nuts inside come from outside Hawaii.

The class action also alleges harm beyond individual shoppers. The practice reduces competition and limits consumer choice across the Hawaii macadamia nut market, the complaint claims.

The legal claims

The lawsuit brings two claims against Hawaiian Host LLC:

  • Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 480, the state's consumer protection law, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce and allows winning plaintiffs to recover treble damages
  • Unjust enrichment, a legal theory that applies when a company profits unfairly at someone else's expense

The lawsuit seeks damages, disgorgement of profits, injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. The plaintiffs also demand a jury trial.

What this means for Hawaiian Host customers

The case is structured as a class action covering all consumers who purchased Hawaiian Host macadamia nut products. There is no settlement, no claims process and no money available at this time. Hawaiian Host has not yet filed a response, and the lawsuit remains pending in state court in Honolulu.