1981

Island Maid, Inc. was established in August 1981 by Benjamin Tsunoda (Pres.) and Lilian Tsunoda (Vice Pres.) at its original warehouse located in Kakaako. The company was born out of recognition of a need for locally made in-flight juices. The company started by fulfilling the immediate needs of Mid-Pacific Airlines, Pan American Airlines, and United Airlines and later expanding and securing additional airline and hospital accounts. The growth prompted the company to move from the small warehouse and relocate in 1984 to a much larger facility in the Airport Industrial area on Koapaka Street. In 1998 Benjamin Tsunoda passed away, leaving Lilian Tsunoda to run the company by herself. This was a monumental task to undetake, but Lilian was determined to carry on the legacy both she and Benjamin created together. In 2001, Island Maid began a unique partnership with Hawaiian Airlines to serve Passion-Orange-Guava portion cup juices on all interisland flights. Over the years, Island Maid juices have become a cherrished and unique local brand.

2008

In August 2008, Island Maid, Inc. saw developments that signaled company growth heights and bright future prospects. These were acquisition of the "Harders" brand of syrups as well as a much larger facility in Waipahu. Island Maid has chosen to stay true to the original Harders Syrup recipes, which were established in 1933, using only cane sugar and premium ingredients. Along with the addition of the Harders line of syrups, we have also added shaved ice supplies and paper and enviormentally friendly disposable products. Island Maid, Inc. currently supplies most of the major local shave ice businesses as well as drive-ins and restaurants. On the portioned cup juice end, we supply most major airlines, hospitals, and schools.It was also in the same year, 2008, that the company witnessed a generational change, this was with the joining of Tina Tsunoda, daughter of Benjamin and Lilian. Tina has been a great asset to the company, a graduate from UCLA, currently as Vice President. She has introduced many new and innovative ideas into the company and has also developed several new flavors for the Harders line of syrups.