More than 30 years in the candy business led to a sweet reward Saturday night as the Arakaki family of Menehune Mac won the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association.

The trade group’s first Taste Awards, co-sponsored by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, were handed out at a ceremony and dinner at Dole Cannery.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie made the award to Neal Arakaki, president of Menehune Mac, which produces more than a dozen types of macadamia-nut snacks.

Other awards, voted on by the association’s membership and advisory board:

» Manufacturers of the Year: So Ono Food Products (for companies of more than 100 employees), for its grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and fruit bowls; and honey maker Big Island Bees (fewer than 100 employees). 

» Start-up Manufacturer: Chic Naturals of Lahaina, which process a line of snack foods made with dry-roasted chickpeas.

» Product of the Year: Big Island Abalone.

» Advocate of the Year: Wayne Inouye, senior project manager of INNOVATE Hawaii, which provides services that help small businesses grow; and Nina Tanabe, consultant with Pacific Food Technology.

» Supplier of the Year: Dana Labels.

» Innovative Marketing Award: Central Pacific Bank, for a television commercial promoting Kona coffee.

» Community Service Award: Pacific Gateway Center, which provides commercial kitchen space for small food producers.