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As the holiday season approaches, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) urges Hawaiʻi residents and visitors alike to celebrate the spirit of giving by supporting local businesses. Governor Josh Green, M.D. and DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka are championing the cause, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Hawaiʻi’s communities and economy by choosing locally made products for holiday gift-giving.

Small businesses are critical to the US economy. But data on small businesses is limited—especially data on how and why small businesses seek financing. Through the annual Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), the Federal Reserve Banks capture one-of-a-kind data on small businesses. The Fed is apolitical, independent, and decentralized, which puts it in a unique position to collect, analyze, and distribute this data.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and Mana Up today announced the launch of a Hawai‘i-themed pop-up retail shop featuring Hawai‘i products at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Named the Aloha Market powered by Mana Up, the pop-up shop is set to open its doors on November 15, bringing a slice of Hawai‘i's vibrant culture, natural beauty, and tropical flair to the gateway to Tokyo. 

At the Hawaiian Airlines 10th Annual Made in Maui County Festival, every small business owner has a unique story. For married Troy and Bea Morrison of TBM Creations, it involves the COVID-19 pandemic and the Lahaina fire. In 2020, when Bea Morrison lost her job at the front desk of the Hyatt due to the tourism shutdown, the couple began a side hustle creating custom art pieces — trinket dishes, cutting boards, skateboards, surfboards and ornaments — using Troy’s woodworking skills and Bea’s designs with epoxy resin and pigment in the colors of the beach and sea.