Livingstone packs a Hawaiian punch

The Consumer team at Livingstone is pleased to announce the successful growth recapitalization of Waialua Soda Works by Tradewind Capital Group, Inc. Livingstone advised Waialua on the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tradewind is a private investment company headquartered in Hawaii. Tradewind’s investment will provide management with the capital and value-added expertise needed to build the Waialua brand within the craft soda category and affect its expansion into the specialty and mainstream grocery channels.

Founded by Karen and Jason Campbell in 2003, Waialua is a rapidly emerging developer and marketer of craft soda and alternative beverages based on the North Shore of Oahu. Grounded in authentic Hawaiian recipes, the Company markets a line of premium soda products, all of which have achieved acclaim from top chefs, consumers, and, increasingly, grocery retailers for their unique flavor profile. The beverage offering includes innovative tropical flavors such as lilikoi (passion fruit), mango, pineapple, root beer, vanilla cream, and KonaRed™, an antioxidant-rich, Hawaiian superfruit.

“We are proud to have worked with Waialua, a company with unique Island authenticity and strong growth prospects,” said Livingstone Partner David Sulaski. “We believe that Tradewind represents the ideal strategic partner to assist the company in building and expanding the Waialua brand.”

Waialua represents the 10th consumer transaction closed by Livingstone in the last 12 months, including the recapitalization of Swisher Mower and the sale of the UK’s Travel Jigsaw to Priceline.com.