The 2025 Made in Hawai‘i Festival will feature ten emerging entrepreneurs from Maui County, as part of a newly established partnership between the state and local business support organizations.
This development was announced by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), which has recently been appointed as the official government partner for the three-day festival to be held on Oʻahu.
In this expanded role, DBEDT will introduce the ‘DBEDT Hawai‘i Made Pavilion,’ highlighting 27 early-stage businesses selected in collaboration with the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center at Leeward Community College, and the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE).
A diverse array of businesses from Maui County will be prominently showcased.
From the Maui Chamber of Commerce, businesses featured include:
– Haleakalā Creamery (Maui)
– Haleakalā Supah Shots LLC (Maui)
– Koko Val Hawai‘i LLC (Maui)
– Sarcreate LLC (Maui)
– Wailea Notes LLC (Maui)
– Zatara Market (Lānaʻi)
Representatives from INPEACE will feature:
– Malia and Company Apparel (Maui)
The Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center at Leeward Community College will spotlight:
– Galleon Chocolate Trade Company Inc. (Maui)
– Hawaiian Krunch Company (Maui)
– Pure Hawai‘i Tea (Lānaʻi)
DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka expressed the significance of this initiative, stating, ‘We know how hard it is for small businesses to break into major retail events like the Made in Hawai‘i Festival — especially when you’re just getting started.’
He emphasized that the partnership serves as vital support for these entrepreneurs, who contribute immense creativity, culture, and passion to their businesses.
The announcement follows prior news that a small business group from Molokaʻi, along with two other businesses from Maui, will also be part of this year’s festival slated for August 15-17 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
The DBEDT Hawai‘i Made Pavilion is under the auspices of DBEDT’s Hawai‘i Made program, offering a platform for innovative local entrepreneurs, including Native Hawaiian and women-owned businesses, featuring a range of gourmet foods, confections, fashion, stationery, and wellness products.
Participating companies from the pavilion include:
From WVAPDC/Leeward Community College:
– 3 Spoonfuls of Sugar LLC (O‘ahu)
– Aloha Mochi Company LLC (O‘ahu)
– Alohamade Bites LLC (O‘ahu)
– Daguzan Charcuterie LLC (O‘ahu)
– Galleon Chocolate Trade Company Inc. (Maui)
– Hapa Hawaiian Salts Inc. (O‘ahu)
– Hawaiian Krunch Company (Maui)
– Huli-Huli Chicken LLC (O‘ahu)
– Limu Labs LLC dba Okonokai (O‘ahu)
– Madres Churros (O‘ahu)
– Mala-be LLC (O‘ahu)
– Mochi Momma HI LLC (O‘ahu)
– My Sweet World 808 LLC (O‘ahu)
– Onomea Farm Hub LLC (Hawai‘i Island)
– Pure Hawai‘i Tea (Lānaʻi)
– uCook LLC (O‘ahu)
From INPEACE:
– All For God Hawaii LLC (O‘ahu)
– Keha Hawaiʻi (O‘ahu)
– Malia and Company Apparel (Maui)
– Shaka Tribe Design LLC (O‘ahu)
– Tealicious Sweets LLC (O‘ahu)
From the Maui Chamber of Commerce:
– Haleakalā Creamery (Maui)
– Haleakalā Supah Shots LLC (Maui)
– Koko Val Hawai‘i LLC (Maui)
– Sarcreate LLC (Maui)
– Wailea Notes LLC (Maui)
– Zatara Market (Lānaʻi)
Chris Bailey, the manager of the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center, noted, ‘Our staff and partners are working closely with local entrepreneurs to turn ideas into viable enterprises.’
He added that the pavilion allows these businesses’ hard work to gain the exposure it deserves.
Lisa Pakele, program director at the INPEACE Center for Entrepreneurship, highlighted the event’s importance, stating, ‘This is more than an event for our program participants — it’s an affirmation of their value to the local economy.’
The Maui Chamber of Commerce voiced its support for the DBEDT partnership, with Pamela Tumpap, the chamber’s president, stating, ‘By creating this pavilion, DBEDT is helping to bridge neighbor island businesses with statewide audiences.’
The Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, one of the state’s largest annual events, draws tens of thousands of attendees eager to shop local and explore new products.
Through this partnership, DBEDT is reinforcing its commitment to supporting early-stage businesses and expanding market access for entrepreneurs throughout the state.
A complete list of pavilion vendors will be made available online in the weeks leading up to the event.
image source from：mauinow
