Interesting question...
"I hate having to ask this, but does anyone know what Kona is currently and actively doing to push their brand and create or expand awareness? "
The answer is not really. Of course can read there releases and they have hired sales people, (full time / part time? ) in a new or expanded territory in Wisconsin.
They signed a deal (3 mo ago) for 250k or so.
Not a furious pace by any means, at least by reporting.
Yes they have shown a couple of quarters of solid growth. Applaud this. But this has been coupled by the S1 reporting large dilution exposure, so to date the net impact on shares has been negative.
Last news one mo ago. Note to be on the path to meet guidance is solid but not something to get too excited about.
What you seem to miss, is the frustration of investors that (and this is where it sounds like you parrot the co) that the share price has goon south all year...at a time of market record highs. (yes, in the Bev industry as well)
Does the company promote the opportunity, have a investor presentation anywhere. They said they are working on this for now over a year. This is not pump, it is part of the core diligence needed for investors to feel confident in the opportunity and the company's commitment to share value as a core mission.
Does the company have a retail message out? Consistent cross platform Social media messaging program,? Not that I can see. Raising awareness at the retail level is essential to driving sales. Now seems the co is leaving distributors to manage the brand.
Look at the Kona site....years without a substantive change, copy update, anything. The new Lemin site is still under construction.
But , and I repeat, the issue you seem to miss, as well as the company, lis that the share price tells its own story. If they ARE doing a great job...why the year long decline? Why do they seem to think concern about share price is not important. It sure is for them internally, I assure you for all the diluted shares.
So unless you bought sub penny 3+ years ago (and I did), this company has been a pretty lousy investment.