Buzz
While enjoying a refreshing soda on a sunny Hawaiian beach, you might spot something unusual about the can: four distinct ridges near the top. This design isn’t limited to one brand—whether it’s Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Hawaiian Sun, or even beer, the feature is consistent. Why does this unique design exist, and why is it exclusive to Hawaii?
Contrary to what you might think, this design isn’t tied to Hawaiian culture or local laws. It’s actually a relic from the past known as the 206 Diameter can (or simply ‘206’). During the 1980s, this style was the norm across the continental U.S., featuring ridges at the top, a slightly wider diameter (2.375 inches compared to 2.125 inches), and a longer neck.
By 1991, the 206 can was gradually replaced by the 202 can, which is the standard today. The 202 design uses less aluminum while maintaining the same volume, reducing production costs for beverage companies. As a result, manufacturing equipment across the mainland was updated to produce the new model exclusively.
In Hawaii, however, the economics of switching didn’t add up. Due to the high costs of shipping soda or syrup to the islands, many beverages are canned locally at the Ball Metal Packaging Plant in Oahu. This facility, the smallest in Ball Corporation’s network, produces one million cans daily—a fraction of the 112.5 billion cans the company shipped globally in 2021. At the time, the expense of upgrading the plant outweighed the potential savings, so the 206 cans remained in use. Today, Hawaii is the only place in the U.S. where these cans are still widely available.
While the Ball Metal Packaging Plant handles much of Hawaii’s beverage production, not every canned drink in the state comes from there. Imported beverages in 202 cans are still available in stores, particularly from smaller brands without ties to the local facility. However, these imported options often come with a higher price tag.
