DBEDT Hawaii Made Pavilion to Showcase Nearly 30 Local Business at 2026 Made in Hawaii Festival

For Immediate Release: August 12, 2026

HONOLULU—The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will return as the official government sponsor of the 32nd annual Made in Hawaii Festival, August 20-23 at the Hawaii Convention Center, where 28 local businesses are scheduled to participate in the DBEDT Hawaii Made Pavilion.

Following the pavilion’s debut in 2025, DBEDT is continuing its focus on helping new and early-stage companies reach customers at one of the state’s largest retail events. This year’s 20-booth pavilion will feature entrepreneurs from Leeward Community College’s aina to Makeke food business accelerator program and Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center, businesses connected through the Food and Product Innovation Network and youth-, women- and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses from all four counties.

“Major retail events like the Made in Hawaii Festival give small businesses access to customers and sales experience that are difficult to gain on their own,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. “The Hawaii Made Pavilion gives new and early-stage companies an opportunity to test demand, build a customer base and prepare for larger retail opportunities.”

The aina to Makeke program helps food entrepreneurs turn home recipes into market-ready products through training in product development, pricing, branding and commercial growth.

“Participants put months of work into developing products that are ready for the market,” said Chris Bailey, manager of the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center. “The festival gives graduates a chance to sell in a high-traffic setting, hear directly from customers and strengthen how they present their products.”

Businesses scheduled to participate in the 2026 DBEDT Hawaii Made Pavilion include:

Leeward Community College/Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center aina to Makeke graduates:

• Da Tomato Guy
• Daguzan Charcuterie
• Good Boy
• Haleiwa Salt Co.
• Honolulu Mochi
• Kenny Boy Ice Cream
• Makamaka Snacks
• Mochi Momma
• Okonokai
• Shaka Butter

Other DBEDT Hawaii Made Pavilion businesses:

• Aloha Oe Designs
• Aloha Paws Kauai
• Besdee Dog Co.
• Black Rose Aesthetics
• Definitely Baba
• Ele Kauai
• Holoholo Gold
• Island Scents of Aloha
• Kanoelani’s Finest Designs
• Kolohe Boyz
• Kuleana Hawaii Grown
• Mahea Leah
• Mahiai Made
• Maikui’s Creations
• Mimi’s Made
• Paradise Preserved
• Puuwai Paiiai
• Schorr Design

The 2026 Made in Hawaii Festival will feature more than 800 vendor booths across nearly 300,000 square feet, along with live entertainment, chef demonstrations, fashion shows, tastings and other programming. Festival hours and ticket information are available on the Made in Hawaii Festival website.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation-sector job growth.

About Hawaii Made
DBEDT’s Hawaii Made program supports local business and entrepreneurship by recognizing and promoting goods and services that are authentically made in Hawaii. The program helps to strengthen Hawaii’s economy by building consumer trust and providing a platform for local businesses to showcase their products and foster a strong sense of local identity.

About Leeward Community College/Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center
As part of the University of Hawaii system, Leeward Community College provides an environment for academic learning and cultural life for neighboring communities. With a main campus in Pearl City, an educational center in Waianae and the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center, Leeward Community College’s proven commitment to affordable, quality education is the foundation of its mission. From professional career studies to liberal arts, the college offers diverse and comprehensive opportunities for all students.

About the Food and Product Innovation Network
The Food and Product Innovation Network brings together business partners and support organizations from across the state that contribute to agricultural innovation, value-added manufacturing, entrepreneurship, workforce development and food system resilience. Established through Act 237, FPIN provides a forum for expanding partnerships between government and industry across Hawaii.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Laci Goshi
Communications Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, State of Hawaii
(808) 518-5480

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