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ALOHA MARKET IN NEW YORK CITY FEATURED OVER 50 HAWAI‘I SMALL BUSINESSES AND ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF SHOPPERS
Two Maui-based companies made national appearance on Good Morning America
New York, NY – May 22, 2024 – Aloha Market, a vibrant showcase of entrepreneurship featuring over 50 small businesses from Hawai‘i – including over 20 that traveled to New York City from the Islands – concluded its highly-anticipated event in New York City on April 28. Hosted by Mana Up and Shopify, the event highlighted a diverse array of unique products that attracted thousands of shoppers from across the New York metropolitan area and neighboring states.
Throughout the weekend, enthusiastic attendees were treated to an immersive Hawai‘i experience, as they browsed through a mix of goods from Hawai‘i’s emerging entrepreneurs. Top-selling products included Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts, Maui Crisps assorted beef chips, David Shepard apparel featuring native Hawaiian flora and fauna, vegan kim chi from Maui-based company Nāpili FLO Farm, assorted HI Spice hot sauces made with island-grown ingredients and Ubaeʻs crinkle cookies.
Aloha Market was one of the most visited events ever at Shopify NY, drawing nearly 4,000 shoppers over the weekend. The pop-up hosted nearly 20 workshops and events including mai tai mixology classes, panel discussions with Maui-based entrepreneurs, and lei making workshops by expert artisans like Meleana Estes.
Longstanding Hawai‘i favorites Mauna Loa, Hawaiian Host, and Kahala were also part of the first-ever Aloha Market. In honor of Lei Day, Mauna Loa launched a limited edition design on its classic box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, created in partnership with fourth-generation lei maker Leilani Kana‘auao Huggins who also led several sold-out lei-making workshops during the event.
Aloha Market spotlighted Maui's small businesses and their products in the “Aloha for Maui” section presented by Hawaii‘ Tourism Authority. Maui Chili Chili Oil and Nāpili FLO Farm were featured on Good Morning America live from New York City. Adding to the national coverage, Aloha Market was recognized by Forbes and dozens of New York-based media outlets.
Reflecting on the success of this event, Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up, says, “Aloha Market was not just about showcasing Hawaiian products, but also about sharing our entrepreneurial spirit with the world. We are so grateful for the incredible response we received from New Yorkers, and after the record-breaking sales we saw during Aloha Market in Tokyo last November, we look forward to continuing to take Aloha Market on the road and show the world what makes Hawai‘i's small businesses and their products so special.”
Aloha Market saw excitement from both shoppers who were eager to get a taste of Hawai‘i as well as Hawai‘i transplants in the New York area. Kea Peters, founder of one of the featured small businesses Kākou Collective noted, “As a Native Hawaiian artist, traveling to New York and representing our people, place, and culture was an incredible honor. Claiming space in such a dynamic city not only affirms our presence but also inspires future generations of Indigenous creators and entrepreneurs.” Peters led an illustration workshop highlighting plants with cultural significance to Hawai‘i that sold out.
Chris Schmicker, Shopify's director of brand marketing stated, “Aloha Market surpassed all projections, delivering an unforgettable experience for both shoppers and merchants. The incredible turnout and positive feedback underscore the significance of supporting small businesses with world-class products and celebrating cultural diversity. Our team is proud to have been a part of this remarkable event.”
Those who didn’t get to visit Aloha Market can tune into a 30-minute special highlighting the immersive shopping experience which airs on Hawai‘i News Now this June. Shoppers can continue discovering unique products from Hawai‘i’s rising makers and artisans by visiting House of Mana Up online or at one of its five locations across Hawai‘i, which currently features products from over 70 Hawai‘i-based entrepreneurs. The product offerings will expand this summer with the addition of 10 more companies joining Mana Up’s accelerator program. To shop House of Mana Up, visit https://houseofmanaup.com.
About Mana Up
Mana Up is an accelerator and venture fund for Hawaiʻi-based products growing to markets globally, with the mission to increase economic opportunity and jobs for the people of Hawaiʻi. To date, 85 local companies have participated in the six-month accelerator program that provides expansion opportunities and helps solve business challenges. For more information about the accelerator program, visit www.manauphawaii.com, and to shop House of Mana Up, visit https://houseofmanaup.com. House of Mana Up retail shops are located at Royal Hawaiian Center (Waikiki), Prince Waikiki, Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel (Kona), Mauna Loa Visitor Center (Hilo) and Koloa Village (Kaua‘i).
Mana Up is supported by Kamehameha Schools, Castle & Cooke Hawai’i, Bank of Hawaii, ALTRES, Hawaiian Airlines, Kaiser Permanente Hawai’i, Hawai’i Technology Development Corporation, Innovate Hawai’i, American Savings Bank, Ulupono Initiative, Young Brothers, UHA Health Insurance, Pineapple Tweed, Shopify, Foodland, DFS Hawaii and Dole.
About Shopify
Shopify is the leading global commerce company that provides essential internet infrastructure for commerce, offering trusted tools to start, scale, market, and run a retail business of any size. Shopify makes commerce better for everyone with a platform and services that are engineered for speed, customization, reliability, and security, while delivering a better shopping experience for consumers online, in store and everywhere in between. Shopify powers millions of businesses in more than 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Mattel, Gymshark, Heinz, FTD, Netflix, Kylie Cosmetics, SKIMS, Supreme, and many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com.
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