The 31st Annual Made in Hawaiʻi Festival is drawing crowds to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center this weekend, showcasing the best of local products and entrepreneurship. The three-day event, running from August 15-17, is a celebration of the state's vibrant culture, with hundreds of vendors offering everything from handcrafted goods and apparel to gourmet food and beverages.
The festival, a signature event of the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association, serves as a vital platform for small businesses to gain exposure, test-market new products, and connect with both local consumers and retail buyers. This year's festival is expected to be a major boost for the local economy, with many vendors relying on the event for a significant portion of their annual revenue.
Among the many exciting offerings at the festival, Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts, a Kauaʻi-based seasoning company, is debuting a new Salt-Free Spicy Smoky Garlic Peppercorn blend. The product is aimed at health-conscious consumers and demonstrates the innovative spirit of Hawaiʻi's food industry. Visitors can also find products for their "furry friends," as several vendors are catering to pets with their locally made goods.
With the festival coinciding with "Statehood Weekend," a long weekend celebrating Hawaiʻi's admission as the 50th state, organizers are advising attendees to plan ahead for heavy traffic and limited parking. Alternative transportation options like ridesharing and public transit are highly recommended. To improve navigation, the festival has implemented a new color-coded system with lanes marked by ground images and banners. Accommodations are also being made for kupuna (elders), with a designated rest area and the option to skip ahead in line.
The Made in Hawaiʻi Festival is more than just a marketplace; it's a cultural institution that brings together generations of families and visitors to experience the true soul of Hawaiʻi. The event features live musical performances by Na Hoku Hanohano Award recipients, cooking demonstrations by renowned local chefs, and showcases the diverse cultural tapestry of the islands through a wide array of products and entertainment.
Beyond the festival, the "Made in Hawaiʻi" brand continues to thrive. The state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) recently hosted a Hawaiʻi-Made Conference to strengthen the local product economy, and businesses like Hawaiian Host Group and Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaiʻi are making headlines with new product launches and expansion plans. Even global brands are getting in on the action, with lululemon partnering with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for an exclusive collection of athletic and casual wear. The focus on homegrown products and the support for local businesses remains a powerful force in the islands' economy.
