HONOLULU, HI | August 5, 2020 – Central Pacific Bank (CPB), Mana Up, and the Hawaiʻi Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA) forge new retail opportunities for Hawaiʻi small businesses to sell products in Japan with Prince Hotels and Resorts and Natural Lawson convenience stores. Both deals are a result of the group’s discovery mission to Tokyo in February 2020, which explored ways for Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs to establish relationships and expand their businesses into the Japan market. 

“Economic growth and diversification for Hawaiʻi must include cultivating key markets like Japan, and I’m impressed by Mana Up and HFMA’s steadfast commitment to seeing these international opportunities into fruition despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Paul Yonamine, Executive Chairman, Central Pacific Bank. “We see this foray into the Japanese market as a pilot, to strengthen the network and infrastructure, and to generate momentum for more Hawaiʻi small businesses interested in growth overseas.”

The Tokyo Hawaiʻi Project is a Hawaiʻi-themed fair held at five Prince Hotels and Resorts properties in Tokyo during July and August. Japanese guests and customers can enjoy authentic Hawaiʻi experiences including Hawaiʻi regional cuisine, special

events, and the opportunity to shop Hawaiʻi products like Western Aloha, Meli Wraps, Laha’ole Design, and Lei Palm face masks provided by Mana Up and beach slippers made of natural rubber from HAYN. The initiative also received marketing and financial support from the KizunAloha Coalition, a cross-sector group of more than 20 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits which formed in April 2020 to support Hawaiʻi’s economic recovery by engaging and fostering good will with the Japanese market throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Hawaiʻi Fair by Natural Lawson will run from August 4 through September 7 at more than 140 Natural Lawson convenience stores throughout Tokyo. Each store will feature a Hawaiʻi-themed display having an assortment of products available for purchase by Japanese consumers. Mana Up and HFMA businesses taking advantage of this opportunity include Hawaiian Chip Company, Kauaʻi Kookie, and Manoa Chocolate, just to name a few.

“Although Japanese visitors can’t physically come to Hawaiʻi due to the current travel restrictions, Mana Up is proud to partner with CPB and HFMA to bring local Hawaiʻi products to Japan,” said Meli James, cofounder of Mana Up. “Whether it’s through these new Japanese retail channels, House of Mana Up online or at Royal Hawaiʻi Center in Waikiki – Mana Up is committed to sharing the unique stories of Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurs and the premium brands they’ve built. Friends of Hawaiʻi from around the world can learn more about the makers and artisans behind their beloved Hawaiʻi experiences.”

For more information:

• Tokyo Hawaiʻi Project by Prince Hotels & Resorts (Japanese language)

• Hawaii Fair by Natural Lawson (Japanese language)

• KizunAloha Coalition

Mana Up (www.manauphawaii.com) is an initiative to build Hawaiʻi’s next 100 product companies earning $10 million or more in annual revenue. Mana Up has a 12-week accelerator program offered biannually to enable Hawaiʻi product entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.

The Hawaiʻi Food Manufacturers Association is a non- profit organization of approximately 150 members, that has been promoting Hawaiian grown or manufactured products since 1977. The HFMA works to increase the understanding and appreciation of the unique flavors, quality, and care that go into the production of Hawaiʻi’s fine foods and beverages represented by our membership.