Senate Honors Maui Soda & Ice Works for Small Biz Award

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Senators with Michael Nobriga. Courtesy Photo.

The Hawai‘i State Legislature congratulated Maui resident Michael Nobriga and Maui Soda & Ice Works on Monday for being named the Small Business Administration of Hawaii’s 2014 Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.

Maui Soda & Ice Works generates gross revenues of more than $4 million per year, producing ready-to-drink items, food service beverage products, and frozen foods, including the popular Roselani Ice Cream brand, according to a Senate announcement.

Prior to becoming company president in 1999, Michael Nobriga earned the Marketer of the Year Award from the Maui Chapter of the American Marketing Association in 1993, and the Governor’s Kilohana Award for Outstanding Volunteerism in 1998, the announcement said.

He is also noted as a fifth generation family member to live and work on Maui.

“I admire Mike’s hard work in growing the operation over the years while at the same time being so involved in our community through a variety of leadership roles,” said Senator Gil Keith-Agaran in a Senate press release.

Keith-Agaran, who represents Wailuku, Waihe‘e, and Kahului, where the business is located said, “We need more small business owners and entrepreneurs who help make Maui a better place for everyone to live, work and play.”

Nobriga family. Photo courtesy Maui Senate Communications.

Fellow Senator Roz Baker said the company has shown “dedication, persistence, and innovation” throughout the years.

“Under the management of the Nobriga family, Maui Soda & Ice Works is today recognized as one of the best run and most community-oriented companies in Hawaiʻi,” she said.

Senator J Kalani English also commented saying, “It’s important that we continue to support our small businesses in Maui, and I am honored to congratulate a family-owned small business that gives back tremendously to our community. Michael and the rest of his ‘ohana at Maui Soda & Ice Works greatly deserve this award for their passion and drive to provide exceptional service to customers and the community.”

The SBA award is issued to a company with more than 15 years of doing business in the state that has: passed ownership and operations from one generation to another; increased employment opportunities; demonstrated potential for long-term success and economic growth; and volunteered to help strengthen family-owned businesses within the community.