06/09/2026
Our quest to highlight business partners who have been with us through thick and thin continues. For May and June, our spotlight is on !
This local icon has a deep history. Maui Soda Works began in 1884, eventually becoming , and acquired Maui’s Coca-Cola franchise in 1924.
Manuel Nobriga joined the company in 1921, rising to President by 1967. The Nobriga family acquired the business in 1946, perpetuating Manuel’s core principles: treat employees and customers like family, and grow their brands within the community. Today, employs 79 people, with 14 dedicated directly to the frozen business.
In the 1930s, Manuel began making ice cream from scratch. His recipes were so popular that production thrived until his retirement in 1971. The Roselani Ice Cream brand was officially introduced in 1972. In the 1980s, Manuel’s son, Buddy, launched Roselani Premium Ice Cream in local mom-and-pop grocery stores. By the 1990s, Buddy’s daughter, Cathy, expanded distribution across the state of Hawaiʻi.
While exact records are lost to time, both Pukalani Superette and the Maui Soda crew believe our partnership dates back to our original Tanizaki Store days selling Coca-Cola. When Roselani Ice Cream became available, we naturally grew our partnership to include it.
We asked current President & GM, James “Jay” Nobriga (3rd generation), for advice for new business owners: "Develop a good business plan. In manufacturing, make customer safety your #1 priority. In product distribution, make customer service your highest priority. Always support your community... and treat all customers and employees like family."
Despite challenges like the rising costs of island business and a shrinking labor pool, they love their relationships built on Maui. They are deeply committed to giving back, including donating pallets of water after the Kula fire.
Maui Soda & Ice Works just celebrated 100 years, and Roselani Ice Cream will hit that milestone soon. We are honored to be in the "100-year club" together.
Celebrate with us this month! Roselani Ice Cream is on SALE. School is out, summer is here, and it is definitely ice cream season!
