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MEP Success Stories from Hawaii

Honolulu Cookie Company - Metal Detector Audit and Food Safety Training

Reported Year
2022
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic halted tourism in Hawaii and in turn closed the direct-to-consumer retail locations of the Honolulu Cookie Company. With this revenue stream diminished, the company looked for different ways to reach consumers in order to preserve the business and employees’ jobs. Previously Costco had shown interest in Honolulu Cookie

Big Island Coffee Roasters - Mana Up Program

Reported Year
2022
At the beginning of 2018 management began looking into business accelerators and exploring the idea of raising capital in order to continue growing and expanding the business. The overwhelming positive response to their product had shown that the coffee aficionado customer base was there and growing, and to meet demand, future business expansion

eCommerce Program - Jade Foods

Reported Year
2021
Deanne Ho, Jade Food president, knew for some time that the company website needed an update to become more visually appealing to increase online sales. When COVID-19 halted regular business operations and the company could no longer operate their will-call window point of sale, she knew it was time to update the company website to accommodate

For J's Hawaii E-Commerce Program

Reported Year
2021
As a food manufacturing business that served the tourist market in Hawaii, the COVID-19 pandemic left For J’s Hawaii with a sense of uncertainty of the future. Tourism to Hawaii came to a halt in 2020 and the company needed to find new ways to reach their customers. She knew the company website could use an update but was looking for information

Hawaii Ulu Producers - E-Commerce Program

Reported Year
2021
Prior to COVID-19, the Department of Education was the main customer of Hawai'i 'Ulu Producers Cooperative through their 'Aina Pono Farm to School program, which provided fresh local food to students at all 256 public schools across the state of Hawai'i. When COVID-19 caused schools to close in March 2020 this statewide program was halted. By April

Dana Labels E-Commerce Program

Reported Year
2021
Owners Craig and Susan Hanes knew that they needed to update the Dana Labels company website to make it more user friendly. The current business climate, propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, showed them the importance of e-commerce and they knew that it was time for a website refresh. However, they would need guidance and assistance in creating the

Ulu Mana - Mana Up Program and Equipment Assistance

Reported Year
2020
As a new business owner Shoop was searching for a small business community that could provide introductions, insight and experience for him to learn, which would help him grow and expand Ulu Mana.

Kaimana Jerky Costco Food Safety Audit

Reported Year
2020
Kaimana Jerky has been a mainstay product in Costco locations across Hawaii. However, in 2016 Costco contacted Kaimana Jerky’s management and let them know that the company would need to successfully complete a third-party audit to meet the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements to stay in Costco locations.Management knew that they

Hawaiian Pie Company Mana Up Accelerator

Reported Year
2020
The Hawaiian Pie Company’s business grew quickly and in 2017 Joel and Jan Hori were looking for new ways to expand the bakery. They had ideas on where they wanted to take the business but were looking for resources, insight and partnerships to help them reach their goals.