4 Native Hawaiian-owned Big Isle companies showcasing products at Made in Hawai‘i Festival; Nāʻālehu start-up also launching during event

The state’s most-loved showcase of island-made products for three decades returns this weekend like never before, soaring to new heights with shopping, entertainment, fashion shows, culture and community.

And several Native Hawaiian-owned companies from the Big Island were granted funds, empowering them to not just be part of the experience but showcase their unique products during the festivities.

The 30th annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival kicks off today at the iconic Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu.

The 3-day event highlights the state’s creativity and rich cultural heritage while giving the thousands from throughout the islands and beynd who attend the chance to explore an impressive array of products made right here in Hawai‘i.

Four Big Island companies owned by Native Hawaiians are attending this year’s festival with the assistance of financial support from the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture.

The institute is dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of Native Hawaiians through education, culture and economic development.

Its Center for Entrepreneurship helps family-owned businesses by providing a variety of services including workshops, peer networking, 1-on-1 coaching, access to mentors and business resources.

The institute was awarded grant frunds from the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Community-Based Economic Development Program to directly support the Native Hawaiian-owned Big Island businesses during the festival.

The four Big Island businesses receiving the support and what they offer are:

• Cupcakes, Boom!: Exquisite, handcrafted desserts, cupcakes, macarons and sweets (Hilo).
• Kaulana Mahina: A research-based resource promoting Hawaiian culture and language through mahina workshops, moon calendars, maps, keiki books and more (Kea‘au).
• Kumumea: Accessories and leather goods rooted in the rich traditions of Native Hawaiian and Paniolo culture (Laupāhoehoe).
• Pawniolo Pets: Offering high-quality pet food and snacks rooted in the traditions of their family cattle ranch on Hawaiʻi Island. (Waimea).

“We are honored to partner with [the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture] to empower their cohort of innovative, Native Hawaiian-owned companies,” said Mark Ritchie, state Business Support Division branch chief. “This grant underscores the exceptional talent and entrepreneurial spirit within our community and reflects [the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Community’s] commitment to fostering early stage businesses. Our goal is to champion their progress, fostering a vibrant and inclusive local economy.”

The participation of the 4 Big Island Native Hawaiian-owned businesses — as well as an additional 10 from other islands that also are receiving support from the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture through the grant funding to take part in the festival — will enrich the Made in Hawai‘i Festival experience and further highlight the importance of supporting local businesses.

Hundreds of vendors featuring thousands of products, spotlighting Hawai‘i’s most talented local artisans, entrepreneurs and chefs will be at the convetion center this weekend.

One of those is a Big Island venture, a new start-up named Stargazer Industries Hawai‘i, which is making its debut during the festival.

With 100,000 tons of material available, the fledgling industry based in Nāʻālehu is using eucalyptus tree stockpiles and groves abandoned by the sugarcane industry since its end in the 1990s and turning it into mulch and lumber that can be used for a variety of residential and commercial applications.

The material will be chipped by a vendor partner on the Hāmākua Coast and bagged at Stargazer’s facility in Nāʻālehu. Eucalyptus and koa tree lumber is in inventory at the company’s milling partner’s location.

Once those avenues are exhausted, Stargazer Industries will begin to gently harvest material only from the eucalyptus tree groves, starting on the Hāmākua Coast, freeing the land of debris, maintaining aisles for ease of access and replanting trees toward their 7-year growth to maturity.

Local tree trimming, transport and other organizations will assist.

The harvested trees will then be converted into chipped mulch product and the lumber will be used for non-structural residential and commercial applications.

Lumber will be available starting this fall at the Home Depot stores in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, as well as on special order at Honsador Kona.

Retailers throughout the state have already shown interest in the mulch, including ACE Hardware/HouseMart Hawai’i and Hilo Garden Exchange.

“We are in hopes that with our launch at the Made in Hawai’i Festival on O’ahu more doors will open with retailers for this product line,” said Stargazer Industries CEO Christine Kaehuaea. “Our goal is to create a truly sustainable industry that is non-tourist dependent and that helps to clean up the island from debris left by natural causes that can contribute to wildland fires.”

Kaehuaea said that any abandoned natural fuels near dwellings can lead to devastation, just like what happened in the case of last year’s Maui wildfires, including the deadly blaze that destroyed Lahaina and killed more than 100 people.

She sees Stargazer’s model as a way to revitalize and care for the land while bolstering local businesses partnering with the venture, allowing people throughout Hawai‘i and on the mainland to share in the natural beauty of the islands through each bag of mulch or piece of lumber.

Plus, customers can enjoy the gorgeous wood product for landscaping, potted plants and farms, as well as interior or exterior accent walls and fences.

Stargazer Industries is also actively working with state agricultural inspectors, the USDA, airports and the Hawai’i Ant Lab to make sure the mulch is clean and certified as it moves around the Big Island to retailers and leaves the island for distribution.

For more information, visit Stargazer Industries Hawai‘i’s website.

The Made in Hawai‘i Festival also offers an impressive variety of Hawaiiana, clothing, food items, unique gifts, exquisite jewelry, intricate arts and crafts and much more.

Local celebrity chefs will present cooking demonstrations, providing insight into the art of Hawai‘i’s diverse cuisine and the opportunity to savor the distinct tastes and aromas that make Hawai‘i foods no ka ‘oi (the best).

Adding to the festive ambiance, Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning musicians will take the stage to entertain attendees with traditional and contemporary music of the islands.

New this year is the Made in Hawai‘i Festival Beer Garden, available to guests ages 21 and older, the perfect spot to sample a refreshing beverage and taste the latest from Hawai‘i’s local breweries.

The festival is made possible through a partnership between the Hawai‘i Food Industry Association and Hawaiian Airlines.

“More than just a marketplace, the festival serves as a dynamic platform for innovation and creativity,” said Lauren Zirbel, president and executive director of the Hawai‘i Food Industry Association, adding that his organization and Hawaiian Airlines “continue to foster economic growth and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of our local culture.”

Robert Sorensen, vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Hawaiian Airlines, said the annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival is an experience not to be missed. The airline is looking forward to an even bigger year of supporting the business community of the islands.

”Hawai‘i’s entrepreneurs, tastemakers and artists are one of the many things that make these islands such a special place to live and visit,” said Sorensen.

For more information, including a vendor directory, entertainment lineup and more, visit the Made in Hawai‘i Festival website.