It would be fair to say that many, if not most, Made in Hawaii Festival vendors largely have been cooling their heels since the Statehood Day weekend event at Blaisdell Center, but for some there has been almost no rest.
From the largest craft fair event in Hawaii, companies such as baked-goods maker Haute Confectionery Boutique and travel bags and accessory producer Sky Dreams LLC have been busy replenishing inventory for the now-underway Tokyo International Gift Show.
The event at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center in Japan is a trade show, meaning aside from some media coverage on the first day, the public doesn’t see what goes on.
However, being one of the 55 exhibitors in the Hawaii pavilion is potentially a huge opportunity as the show attracts 200,000 buyers “from all over Asia,” predominantly Japan, said Dennis Ling, administrator of the marketing division of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Exhibitors are from all over the state, with the exception of Molokai, he said. As the name of the trade show implies, they make anything and everything “that might be considered a gift item,” he said, in keeping with the “Buy Hawaii, give aloha” theme.
“Agricultural products, food products, apparel, gift wrapping, rubber stamps, soaps and everything,” he said.
Through the magic of social media, it is possible to track some Hawaii companies’ activities at the trade show.
On her company’s Facebook page, Haute Confectionery Boutique owner Elizabeth Hata-Watanabe posted her gratitude to DBEDT for the mentoring that has gotten her to the event. “Many thanks to #DBEDT for their support,” she posted. “It takes a tremendous amount of work and planning.”
Photos show her products displayed in the pavilion alongside Hamakua Plantations’ Korn Krunch snacks and Hawaiian Chip Co’s. taro and other chips.
For Angie Higa, owner and designer behind Mililani-based Sky Dreams LLC, the start of the show is “a big day for me and my journey as an entrepreneur,” she posted on Facebook, adding that she feels blessed to be among the companies representing made-in-Hawaii products.
The nearly 150-year-old Diamond Bakery Co. also is among the exhibitors and has expanded its line well beyond the Saloon Pilot, Royal Creem and soda crackers found in most local households to include a range of cookies and new cracker flavors including blueberry, coconut and toasted sesame.
The Maui delegation, which has its own section within the pavilion, includes companies such as Lahaina-based Chic Naturals, creator of gluten-free, nut-free snacks made from organic chickpeas. Its flavors have expanded from Hawaiian Sea Salt & Herbs and a few others to an explosion of palate pleasers savory, sweet and spicy including Big Island Barbecue, Crystallized Ginger and Wasabi, to name just three.
This is the fourth year DBEDT has taken a group of Hawaii exhibitors to the gift show, “and each time there’s more and more demand, so we’ve increased the size,” Ling said. The Hawaii pavilion can accommodate 55 exhibitors.
The basic requirements for participation are similar to the Made in Hawaii Festival. An exhibitor must be a Hawaii company, and its products must be made in Hawaii. There is an application process.
“For the newer companies, we ask them to go to a training session on exporting, to learn the basics of what they’re in for with the overseas market,” Ling said. “We provide that kind of training,” through a partnership with the Hawaii Pacific Export Council.
Hata-Watanabe was shown the ropes of exporting including lessons on packaging and everything about the overseas market that is different from the local market, Ling said.
A variety of Hawaii companies likely have participated in the Tokyo International Gift Show for many years prior to DBEDT’s involvement, “but if the Hawaii companies are all dispersed, it doesn’t make much of a statement,” Ling said. “But we have our Hawaii products banner up there, and people will gravitate” to the large, unified presence, he said.
To increase the allure, “we also have a cafe … making some Hawaii-style food, such as loco moco and kalua pig,” Ling said.
DBEDT participates in other trade shows as well, and Ling recommends interested local businesses visit the DBEDT website for information and exhibitor application details.
Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com, or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
