Finding and Discovering Made-in-Hawai‘i

Your clients visiting the Hawaiian Islands will be captivated by art, crafts, fashion, food items, craft beers and spirits, surfboards, musical instruments and much, much more all made right here in Hawai‘i. Our islands not only endlessly inspire but also perennially celebrate the skills, imagination and creativity of resident craftspeople, makers and artists. In seeking out and purchasing true made-in-Hawai‘i products, goods and items — the list of which is always growing — your clients experience firsthand the coolness of all things local made. Many of the state’s best events, festivals and places celebrating made-in-Hawai‘i happen annually, weekly or are open daily. Suggest your clients check out the ones below.

Kaua‘i
Clients visiting the “Garden Island” can enjoy a depth of flavors from Kaua‘i-made foods like liliko‘i mustard, exotic chocolates, shave ice with tropical fruit juices to name a few that will add to your relaxed vibe and share a touch of local culture. Alakoko store is a nonprofit organization supporting Kaua‘i-based products with a focus on elevating local sourcing, production and accessibility for Kaua‘i-made merchandise. Your clients stopping by will find local-made fashion, food, art, home décor, jewelry and more. Anaina Hou Community Park’s Locally Grown Culinary Experience is heralded for its farm-to-fork experience, inviting guests to select from fresh, locally grown ingredients to create an ‘ohana (family) meal. Your clients will engage with and learn from Kaua‘i farmers about local agricultural history and why food security is vital to Kaua‘i’s present and future.

O‘ahu
From buzzed-about dining experiences to longtime favorite mom-and-pop restaurants, O‘ahu offers your clients a diversity of dining options sure to satisfy their every craving. Waikiki Beach Walk Open Market champions and supports local businesses with a vendor lineup offering unique made-in-Hawai‘i handmade art, souvenirs and snacks to take home or gift someone special. House of Mana Up celebrates Hawai‘i’s extraordinary and emerging artisans and food producers, sharing the stories of their work and products, which include home décor, fashion tasty eats, and beauty and art products made in the Hawaiian Islands. Purchases here empower good jobs, agricultural sustainability and a regenerative culture of entrepreneurship in Hawai‘i.

Maui
Delicious by almost all standards, the fresh-harvested Maui-grown produce found at many island restaurants and farmers markets await your clients’ discovery. The annual Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival showcases all manner of products made on the islands of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i, from art, fashion and health and wellness items, to snacks, candies, ice cream, spices, salts and many things delicious. Situated in Upcountry Maui, Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center is a space for creating, displaying and purchasing local art and taking classes in a variety of art media. Native Intelligence in Wailuku town champions cultural traditions, craftsmanship and local designs perpetuating and honoring Hawaiian values. The retail store showcases the works of local artisans who advocate protecting and evolving local culture.

Island of Hawai‘i
We are excited to welcome back one of the island of Hawai‘i’s most charming, fun and historically rooted events showcasing local-made deliciousness is the Kona Historical Society’s Portuguese Stone Oven Baking Program, happening every third Thursday of the month. Attendees observe and learn the traditional practice and art of baking Portuguese bread using a large wood-fired stone oven called a forno, the historical importance of the outdoor forno in the Portuguese community, and the history of the Portuguese culture in Hawai‘i. They then get to purchase tasty, fresh-baked Portuguese bread, too. On the first Friday of each month, First Friday: Art After Dark in Hōlualoa transforms the main street of the longtime Kona coffee-growing and artists town into a vibrant block party, with art galleries and unique boutiques open for the evening, alongside lively music and great food.