Business Development and Support Division

For the second year in a row, the State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) has sponsored the Pikake Room at the annual Made In Hawaii Festival (MIHF). Held at the Neal Blaisdell Center, this year’s 21st annual Festival attracted a record-breaking 45,000 visitors over the 3-day span of August 21 – 23, 2015. MIHF requires exhibitors to offer only Hawaii-made products so DBEDT sponsored the Pikake Room space as an incubator of first-timers to the Festival, allowing these new exhibitors to test their new company or roll out new products. They also had the opportunity to speak to retail buyers as well as consumers.

The following exhibitors featured their new, unique products:

• Aim HI Every Day, http://www.aimhieveryday.com/, organic vegan skincare handcrafted in Hawai’i
• Coconut Lady, artistically painted coconuts that resemble turtles and Haute Confectionery Boutique, www.hauteconfectioneryboutique.com, island inspired confections, various cookie flavors, pancake mix and coffee
• Hawaii Culture and Retail Association, Island Connection, http://islandconnection.com/, various exhibitors:
  • HCRA
  • Margo Goodwill Art
  • David Friedman Art
  • Male’s Finest Bone Carving
  • Wish Prints
  • Edgar Espero Photography
  • Island Visions
  • Fishsnax
  • Kilauea Gifts Company
  • The Makery Hilo
• Kawela Kai, www.kawelakai.com, metal, glass and shell jewelry
• Reusables for Life, Reusable fabric bags, tote bags, gift bags, quilts.
• Showcase Hawaii, www.showcasehawaii.tv, specially designed towels, bags and t-shirts; fine jewelry