How a pipe-dream becomes a soulful reality & 40years of business ... A deeply personal interview with Ed Thielk, the founder of Mana Foods

 How a pipe-dream becomes a soulful reality & 40years of business ... A deeply personal interview with Ed Thielk, the founder of Mana Foods

In honor of our 40th anniversary we thought it appropriate to walk down memory lane and start at the very beginning! Cheers to the journey and 40 years of business!

“At the end of the day you need to ask yourself where is your life going? What do you want, and what do you need to make that happen?” -Ed Thielk

Mana Foods opened in 1983 and “back then it was this half-ass, half-renovated building that I rented for $160 per month.” -Thielk

Located in the same place Mana Foods is today, the initial space measured a mere 400-sq-ft, boasted a worn out cement floor, and an awkward accordion door. It lacked basic organization and aesthetic appeal, and seemed to have all odds against its survival. But, as irony would have it, this was the start of something very big.

Here's what Mana is doing in response to COVID-19...

Here's what Mana is doing in response to COVID-19...

Here at Mana Foods we are taking very serious measures to ensure that our store is as safe, clean, and responsibly managed in regard to COVID-19. The following are the steps and precautions we have been taking for the past couple weeks and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Sustainability at Mana

Sustainability at Mana

Sustainability at Mana… What we do now and how we’re pushing forward by reducing paper bag use… Here at Mana, we are committed to sustainability. We understand the importance of taking care of our ‘āina (land), especially as resources and landfill space are limited on our beautiful island. Here’s a bit about how and why we’re working towards being as sustainable as possible!

Mana is celebrating our 35th anniversary and we want you to join us!

Mana is celebrating our 35th anniversary and we want you to join us!

Mana is celebrating and we want you to join us! Our 35th anniversary has arrived and as we think back on what a wild ride it has been, the dominant sentiment is gratitude. We are grateful beyond words for all of you, your continued support, and for this incredible community that we have the pleasure of being a part of. So, in honor of Mana Foods’ 35th birthday, let’s take a little walk down memory lane together…

But first a side note: Starting today and through December 24th… We will be offering a plethora of anniversary sales throughout the store, several in-store giveaways (goodie bags stuffed with items from all of our favorite brands and companies–ask at the register about how to enter), and will be selling 35th anniversary items pictured throughout this post (while supplies last)!

Behind the Scenes of Mana's Zero Waste Efforts

Behind the Scenes of Mana's Zero Waste Efforts

At Mana Foods we believe in zero waste efforts. Maui is small, and we work to do everything we can to take care of our beautiful island home. The following is a bit from behind the scenes of our produce department. We thought this may be interesting and inspiring to our valued customers. Thanks for the continued support, and thanks for taking the time to read about some of our environmentally friendly efforts.

Why Mana has decided to donate to Women Helping Women...

Why Mana has decided to donate to Women Helping Women...

All of Mana Foods' bag credit earnings during the month ofJuly are being donated to Women Helping Women, and the following is a bit about what this organization is all about. 

Swing by Mana to win a cruiser bike and/or a BBQ!

Swing by Mana to win a cruiser bike and/or a BBQ!

Mana foods is participating in an in-store sweepstakes, offering customers a chance to win a sparkling, new cruiser bike and/or a beautiful BBQ.

The bike and BBQ are giveaways from Honest Tea Co., who specialize in crafting Lemonades and Iced Teas, and whose products we currently have on sale at the store. The following are a few specifics regarding the contest.

Maui Girl Speaks Her Truth & Then Does Something About It

Maui Girl Speaks Her Truth & Then Does Something About It

Maui girl, Lani Galetto, the founder of Bee Akamai sees eye-to-eye with us in a big way. The whole premise behind Bee Akamai is to provide an eco-friendly way to store food, eliminating the need to use saran-wrap, tinfoil, plastic bags and other single-use options. 

Help stop Domestic Violence & Child Abuse through Mana's February Bag Credit Donations

Help stop Domestic Violence & Child Abuse through Mana's February Bag Credit Donations

Mana Foods February bag credit donations will be gifted to PACT (Parents And Children Together) Maui.

"PACT is a Family Service Agency that provides an array of innovative and educational, social services throughout Hawai`i."

"On Maui, PACT runs the Family Peace Center and provides services that prevent and treat domestic violence and child abuse."

How a pipe-dream becomes a soulful reality and 40years of business ... A deeply personal interview with Ed Thielk, the founder of Mana Foods

 How a pipe-dream becomes a soulful reality and 40years of business ... A deeply personal interview with Ed Thielk, the founder of Mana Foods

In honor of our 40th anniversary we thought it appropriate to walk down memory lane and start at the very beginning! Cheers to the journey and 40 years of business!

“At the end of the day you need to ask yourself where is your life going? What do you want, and what do you need to make that happen?” -Ed Thielk

Mana Foods opened in 1983 and “back then it was this half-ass, half-renovated building that I rented for $160 per month.” -Thielk

Located in the same place Mana Foods is today, the initial space measured a mere 400-sq-ft, boasted a worn out cement floor, and an awkward accordion door. It lacked basic organization and aesthetic appeal, and seemed to have all odds against its survival. But, as irony would have it, this was the start of something very big.