Meet the newest 10 local companies joining mana up's cohort 9!
MAIN PRESS RELEASE:
MANA UP BRINGS ALOHA MARKET TO LOS ANGELES
Limited-Time Shopping & Culture Event Makes Its Debut in in Venice Beach to Celebrate Maui and the Innovative Entrepreneurs Behind Hawai‘i’s Rising Brands
Los Angeles, CA – (September 4, 2024) Mana Up, the award-winning Hawai‘i-based economic accelerator, will host its firstAloha Market in Los Angeles, at 1511 Abbot Kinney Blvd, in Venice Beach, from September 20-22. This immersive Hawai‘i-themed pop-up retail and cultural experience will showcase the creativity and spirit of over 50 exceptional Hawai‘i artisans, entrepreneurs and brands. Free and open to the public, attendees will be able to shop unique products that embody the essence of the Islands, and participate in activities like lei making workshops, craft cocktail classes with Kō Hana Rum, pie tastings with Hawaiian Pie Company, interactive demonstrations, artist meet-and-greets, insightful panel discussions, and more!
Aloha Market LA will feature brands from across all islands and highlight several Maui companies, including HI Spice, Maui Chili Chili Oil, Maui Crisps, To Be Organics, Advance Wildlife Education, and Nāpili FLO Farm. Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, King’s Hawaiian, Honolulu Cookie Company, Kahala, Shaka Tea, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, and Hawaiian Airlines will also be among the iconic brands bringing the flavors and products of Hawai‘i to Southern California.
“We are thrilled to showcase the innovative and world-class products coming out of Hawai‘i at this exclusive event in Los Angeles,” says Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up. “Aloha Market is a unique opportunity to introduce exceptional Hawai‘i-made items and incredible entrepreneurs to Southern California. We are excited to bring a taste of Hawai‘i’s creative spirit to the heart of Los Angeles, so the community can truly experience our Islands.”
Aloha Market LA is presented by Mana Up in partnership with The Hawaiian Islands.
Jay Talwar, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureausays, “Los Angeles is Hawai‘i’s top domestic market, and engaging events, like Aloha Market, are crucial to driving travel demand to an audience with a deep appreciation and love for Hawai‘i. It’s an opportunity to remind our friends in Southern California of the unique experiences and products that make Hawai‘i special and also ensure tourism benefits all of Hawai‘i’s people.”
Mana Up also hosted successful Aloha Markets in New York City and Tokyo, which set attendance and sales records in those destinations.
With a mission to expand the economy and grow jobs for the people of Hawai‘i, Mana Upscales Hawai‘i-based businesses globally, andhas had nearly 100 local companies graduate from its annual business accelerator program. Those rising brands include Big Island Coffee Roasters, Hawaiian Soda Co, NOHO Home, Averylily, Nick Kuchar, Aloha de Mele, Kris Goto, Mohala Eyewear, Ua Body, Ao Organics, Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals, LexBreezy, Lotus & Lime, Waiwaolani, and David Shepard.
Aloha Market Pop-Up Details:
For more information and to RSVP, visit: Aloha Market LA
About Mana Up
Founded by Meli James & Brittany Heyd, Mana Up is an accelerator and venture fund that introduces 100% Hawai‘i-based companies to global markets, and boosts economic opportunity for the people of Hawai‘i. To date, 95 companies have participated in the six-month program that provides expansion opportunities and helps solve business challenges. For more information about the accelerator program, visit ManaUpHawaii.com, and to shop and explore products from the company’s entrepreneurs, visit HouseofManaUp.com.
Mana Up is supported by Kamehameha Schools, Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Airlines, Bank of Hawai‘i, ALTRES, Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation, Innovate Hawai‘i, American Savings Bank, Ulupono Initiative, Young Brothers, UHA Health Insurance, Pineapple Tweed, Shopify, Foodland, DFS, and Dole.
About HVCB
The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is a private, non-profit membership organization founded in 1945. Contracted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) for marketing services in the continental U.S., HVCB works in partnership with its members to promote Hawaiʻi as a premier visitor destination. HVCB serves the people of Hawaiʻi by showcasing the state's unique culture, natural beauty, and aloha spirit to the world, aiming to foster a regenerative tourism model that ensures the social, environmental, and economic balance for our island home. For more information about The Hawaiian Islands, visit GoHawaii.com. For more about HVCB, visit HVCB.org or follow updates on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
GIVEAWAY PRESS RELEASE:
ALOHA MARKET LA OFFERS EXCLUSIVE VALUABLE PRIZES INCLUDING A TRIP TO HAWAI‘I
Venice Beach Pop-Up Showcasing Iconic Hawai‘i Brands and 50+ Emerging Businesses Offers $10k in Prizes and Fun Island-Inspired Activities
Los Angeles, CA – (September 10, 2024) –Mana Up announces an exciting lineup of giveaways totaling nearly $10,000, along with exclusive gifts for attendees of Aloha Market LA, an immersive Hawai‘i shopping experience set to take place in Venice Beach, from September 20-22. Shoppers will have the chance to win incredible prizes, enjoy limited-edition products, and participate in fun, immersive activities celebrating all things Hawai‘i.
Exclusive Giveaways Include:
To enter, RSVP at www.AlohaMarketLA.com. For additional entries, follow participating companies on Instagram. No purchase is necessary. Full Aloha Market LA Terms and Conditions are available.
Free Gifts for Attendees with Registration:
Shoppers must RSVP on www.AlohaMarketLA.com to receive complimentary products listed below.
Additionally, various special experiences will await shoppers at Aloha Market LA including:
Aloha Market LA is presented by Mana Up and The Hawaiian Islands. The event is also supported by Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, Honolulu Cookie Company, King’s Hawaiian, Kō Hana Rum, Kahala, Shaka Tea, and Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water. This limited-time event promises a unique blend of shopping, culture, and experiences straight from the Hawaiian Islands.
Aloha Market Pop-Up Details:
About Mana Up
Founded by Meli James & Brittany Heyd, Mana Up is an accelerator and venture fund that introduces 100% Hawai‘i-based companies to global markets, and boosts economic opportunity for the people of Hawai‘i. To date, 95 companies have participated in the six-month program that provides expansion opportunities and helps solve business challenges. For more information about the accelerator program, visit ManaUpHawaii.com, and to shop and explore products from the company’s entrepreneurs, visit HouseofManaUp.com.
Mana Up is supported by Kamehameha Schools, Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Airlines, Bank of Hawai‘i, ALTRES, Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation, Innovate Hawai‘i, American Savings Bank, Ulupono Initiative, Young Brothers, UHA Health Insurance, Pineapple Tweed, Shopify, Foodland, DFS, and Dole Plantation.
About The Hawaiian Islands & The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau
The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is a private, non-profit membership organization founded in 1945. Contracted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) for marketing services in the continental U.S., HVCB works in partnership with its members to promote Hawaiʻi as a premier visitor destination. HVCB serves the people of Hawaiʻi by showcasing the state's unique culture, natural beauty, and aloha spirit to the world, aiming to foster a regenerative tourism model that ensures the social, environmental, and economic balance for our island home. For more information about The Hawaiian Islands, visit GoHawaii.com. For more about HVCB, visit HVCB.org or follow updates on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA ALERT:
THE FIRST-EVER ALOHA MARKET IN LOS ANGELES BRINGS HAWAI‘I TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR SHOPPING AND CULTURE
WHAT
Aloha Market by Mana Up, is a three-day FREE immersive Hawai‘i shopping and cultural event in Venice Beach (Sept 20-22, 2024) featuring 50+ Hawai‘i brands. This first-ever event offers unique products, interactive demos, food tastings and more!
WHEN
September 20, 2024 (10 am – 5 pm) - September 22 (10 am – 4 pm)
WHERE
Address: Aloha Market LA, 1511 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
WHO
Aloha Market is presented by Mana Up, the award-winning Hawai‘i-based economic development initiative and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
DETAILS:
Many creative vendors, visual sessions and events! Hawai‘i’s emerging brands in a lively shopping environment: food and beverage; fashion and accessories; beauty and wellness; artwork and home decor; children’s products and more!Cooking demos and food tastings, flower lei-making, artist meet-and-greets, interactive sessions and many other exciting activities.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
WEBSITE + HELPFUL LINKS
Fact Sheet: Aloha Market LA 2024
Event Overview:
Aloha Market, powered by Mana Up, is a three-day immersive shopping experience in Los Angeles (Sept 20-22, 2024). This first-ever pop-up will be held in Venice Beach and offer unique products, interactive events, food tastings, demos with Hawai‘i entrepreneurs, including lei-makers – and more – bringing the spirit of the Islands to LA. Aloha Market is presented by Mana Up, the global e-commerce platform and Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau. This event will include iconic Hawai‘i brands, like Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water and Shaka Tea.
Aloha Market Pop-Up Details:
Companies represented (*companies providing in-person activations):
About the Founders:
About Meli James: Meli James is cofounder at Mana Up and president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association. Prior to Mana Up, Meli's career path led her to Silicon Valley where she cofounded her first company, Nirvino, a #1 ranked wine app, an Apple Platform Top 100 App, and Top Ten Lifestyles App in 2007. She later moved back home, bringing her experience to Hawaii accelerators Blue Startups and the University of Hawaii’s Venture Accelerator. Meli has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of five Women to Watch and as one of eight Women Leaders Who Are Disrupting Entrepreneurship. She serves on the board of UHA Health Insurance and board of regents for Chaminade University. Meli is a graduate of and entrepreneur in residence at Cornell University.
About Brittany Heyd: Brittany Heyd is cofounder of Mana Up. Before Mana Up, Brittany was co-founder and managing director at 1776 where she grew the organization from idea to global business including a $12.5 million venture fund, five locations, events in 75 cities across the world, and a software platform called Union. Brittany also held positions at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Latham & Watkins, and Mark IV Capital. In 2020, she was recognized by Hawaii Business Magazine on its 20 for the Next 20 list and in 2021, she was named by Pacific Business News as an honoree of its annual Women Who Mean Business Awards. Additionally, she serves on the boards of the Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund (University of Hawaii) and the Hawaii Pacific Export Council. Heyd holds a Juris Doctor / Masters of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor's of Arts from the University of San Diego.