Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is again the official government sponsor for the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, now in its 32nd year and running Aug. 20-23 at Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu.
Twenty-eight local businesses will participate at the Hawaiʻi Made Pavilion, a 20-booth showcase that debuted in 2025 and is aimed at helping new and early-stage companies reach customers during one of the state’s largest retail events.
This year’s pavilion includes entrepreneurs from Leeward Community College’s ʻĀina to Mākeke food business accelerator program and Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center, along with businesses connected through the Food and Product Innovation Network.
Its lineup also includes youth-, women- and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses from all four counties.
Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka said major retail events such as Made in Hawaiʻi give small businesses access to customers and sales experience that can be difficult to gain independently.
The pavilion also allows the participating new and early-stage companies to test demand, build a customer base and prepare for larger retail opportunities.
The ʻĀina to Mākeke program helps food entrepreneurs turn home recipes into market-ready products through training in product development, pricing, branding and commercial growth.
Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center Manager Chris Bailey said participants put months of work into developing market-ready products.
Participants have a chance to sell in a high-traffic setting, hear directly from customers and refine how they present their products.
Hawaiʻi Made supports businesses statewide by promoting goods and services authentically made in the islands, helping build consumer trust in local products.
The 2026 Made in Hawaiʻi Festival is expected to feature more than 800 vendor booths throughout nearly 300,000 square feet, along with live entertainment, chef demonstrations, fashion shows and tastings.
Festival hours and ticket information can be found on the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival website.
