‘Ewa Beach, HI — Zach Villanueva, the owner of Sage Creamery in ‘Ewa Beach, has turned his passion for ice cream into a thriving business that brings island-inspired flavors to local customers. With organic and locally sourced ingredients from Hawaiian vendors like Lā’ie Vanilla Company, ChadLou’s Coffee Roasters, Mānoa Chocolate, and Mānoa Honey and Mead, Villanueva is committed to offering a rotating array of unique, small-batch ice creams.
The journey began in March 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Villanueva and his wife, Courtney, started making ice cream in her mother’s garage. At the time, Villanueva was working as the manager of a tasting room at Kō Hana Distillers, a rum distillery in O‘ahu. What initially began as a side project quickly grew into a full-time endeavor. By August 2020, Villanueva had taken the leap and shifted his focus entirely to Sage Creamery.
Unlike many established businesses that struggled with pandemic-related restrictions, Sage Creamery, as a start-up, was able to adapt quickly. “During the lockdown, we couldn’t leave our homes except for business, so we started delivering ice cream directly to customers’ homes,” Villanueva recalled. This pivot proved successful and helped the business grow rapidly.
Now, more than four years since its founding, Sage Creamery celebrated the opening of its first brick-and-mortar shop in February 2024. To meet the growing demand for their premium ice cream, Villanueva turned to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for support. The OHA’s Mālama Loan program helped fund the purchase of four high-quality freezers for the new shop, allowing the business to keep up with production while maintaining its commitment to quality.
Despite the growth, Sage Creamery continues to produce its ice cream in small batches, crafting around 100 gallons a week. The business operates with a small, tight-knit team—Villanueva, his wife, one full-time employee, and 10 part-time workers. The team works six days a week, producing ice cream at their ‘Ewa Beach location after initially renting a commercial kitchen in Iwilei.
The shop, conveniently located across from the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, has become a popular spot for students and faculty. In addition to serving walk-in customers, Sage Creamery supplies ice cream to local restaurants like Diamond Head Market & Grill and Monkeypod Kitchen. Villanueva proudly notes that his ice cream is featured by name on the Monkeypod menu, thanks to a collaboration with Executive Chef Jose Gonzalez-Maya.
The journey to success was not without its challenges. Villanueva humorously recalls buying a $20 ice cream maker on eBay and experimenting with recipes. “I made my first batch in 2016, and Courtney and I agreed it was the worst ice cream we ever tasted,” he laughed. Over time, however, Sage Creamery has become known for its super-premium ice cream, which is distinguished by its higher fat content, resulting in a creamier texture.
Sage Creamery’s menu features a mix of locally inspired and original flavors, including Lā‘ie Snow Cream, Mango Sticky Rice sorbet, and Ube Crinkle Cookie. Monthly rotating flavors, such as Peanut Butter and Jelly and Thai Tea Oreo, offer something new for regular customers.
One of the driving forces behind Villanueva’s business is storytelling. Inspired by his own family’s history and his grandmother’s tales from Hawai‘i Island, he shares the stories behind his ice cream flavors. For example, the “Merrie Monarch” flavor, made with strawberries and Kō Hana Distillers rum, honors King David Kalākaua, who was known to enjoy both strawberry ice cream and rum.
The name “Sage Creamery” holds a special significance for Villanueva. It honors his late brother, Daniel, who passed away in 2018. Daniel, referred to by his family as the “sage” of their ‘ohana, was known for his wisdom and adventurous spirit. His journey included a transformative experience with an Indigenous healer in the Amazon rainforest, a testament to his pursuit of knowledge, love, and discovery. In memory of his brother, Villanueva named the business Sage Creamery to carry forward that legacy of wisdom and wonder.
Sage Creamery has become more than just a local ice cream shop—it’s a place where the community can taste the rich, flavorful stories of Hawai‘i while supporting a family business rooted in love, culture, and perseverance.
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