News & Updates

“House of Mana Up” to bring spotlight on local products in Waikīkī

“House of Mana Up” to bring spotlight on local products in Waikīkī

January 23, 2020

HONOLULU (KHON2)

The Hawai'i-based accelerator Mana Up is about to launch its very own retail store in Waikiki. In collaboration with YWCA and the Kamehameha Schools, the Royal Hawaiian Center will be hosting a special extended pop-up store so that shoppers can have access to its variety of local products.

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ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER CELEBRATES HAWAIʻI ENTREPRENEURS WITH HOUSE OF MANA UP

ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER CELEBRATES HAWAIʻI ENTREPRENEURS WITH HOUSE OF MANA UP

January 14, 2020

Press Release

In collaboration with Mana Up, YWCA Oahu, and Kamehameha Schools’ Community Engagement and Resources Group, Kona Oʻahu Region, Royal Hawaiian Center will host House of Mana Up, a special extended pop-up that brings the Hawaiʻi-based accelerator’s portfolio of local products to the heart of Waikīkī.

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How this Hawaii Island honey maker keeps business buzzing

How this Hawaii Island honey maker keeps business buzzing

January 03, 2020

Pacific Business News 

At this point in his life, 33-year-old Kawika Sebag says that the occasional mosquito bite has much more of an effect on him than several bee stings. That’s a good thing because, as the owner and co-founder of Big Island Moonbow Farms and Wai Meli Local Raw Honey, bee stings tend to be a daily occurrence.

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Blanket business sees steady growth

Blanket business sees steady growth

December 13, 2019

Pacific Business News

The idea behind Amber Thibaut’s Hawaii-inspired blanket business, Coco Moon Hawaii, started with inspiration from a hot pink pareo she used to nurse her second child.

“I was so disappointed with the generic animals on blankets and wanted to use something that I loved,” she said. “I found myself wondering if there could be a baby blanket that I loved as much as the hot pink pareo, with some island soul behind it.”

Thibaut, who is from Maui, started selling keiki essential products based on Oahu in 2015. Soon after, she applied to the Hawaii-based accelerator Mana Up’s third cohort, where she joined nine other small businesses looking to gain insight into how to better their business.

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Foodland Announces Mana Up Partnership and Manele Spice Company Launch

Foodland Announces Mana Up Partnership and Manele Spice Company Launch

December 02, 2019

Maui Now

Foodland is launching the new product line from Manele Spice Company created by Food Network star and local celebrity chef, Adam Tabura.

The launch is part of a new partnership between Foodland and Mana Up, a local accelerator focused on growing Hawaiʻi-based products globally.

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New products, new markets for Mana Up Hawaii's fourth cohort

New products, new markets for Mana Up Hawaii's fourth cohort

November 20, 2019

Pacific Business News 

The 10 companies that make up Mana Up Hawaii’s fourth cohort are busy scaling their businesses for growth with new products, new stores and new markets as far away as Japan.

The members of the cohort — Ambassadors With Aloha, Body Mint, Kahulalea, Maui Crisps, Mohala Eyewear, Slab Hawaii, Swiss Inn Dressing,Ulu Mana, Wai Meli and Wrappily — presented their products and their plans during a showcase and pitch session last week at the T Galleria in Waikiki. Each of the Hawaii-headquartered, product-based companies completed Mana Up's 12-week accelerator program designed to help them scale globally through traditional retail and e-commerce channels.

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Alum Devotes Her Policy Acumen to Hawaiian Entrepreneurs

Alum Devotes Her Policy Acumen to Hawaiian Entrepreneurs

September 23, 2019

Georgetown - McCourt School of Public Policy

Brittany Heyd (JD/MPP ‘13) was on the fast track for a high-powered law firm job when the lure of the startup world pulled her in another direction. Following her instincts meant a different kind of success: Heyd has now founded several companies that incubate economic development.

For the past two years, Heyd has run Mana Up, a Hawaii-based startup she co-founded. Mana Up fosters economic development in Hawaii by promoting local products and services, things like Hawaiian coffee, eco-friendly sunscreen and coconut cookies. The company provides twice-yearly accelerator programs that give Hawaiian companies advice, connections and access to distribution channels.

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Mana Up launches fourth cohort of future global business leaders

Mana Up launches fourth cohort of future global business leaders

August 19, 2019

Pacific Business News 

Local accelerator Mana Up has selected 10 companies out of 90 applicants for its fourth cohort, and it’s filled with everything from clothing and eyewear to food and sustainable gift wrap.

“This particular cohort really has a lot of diversity as we’re continuing to broaden our product base,” said Meli James, who co-founded Mana Up alongside Brittany Heyd.

Mana Up is a 12-week program geared at helping Hawaii-based product companies — including retail, beauty and food products — scale to the global market.

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Mana Up and Hawaiian Airlines Team Up for Unique Made in Hawaii Festival Showcase

Mana Up and Hawaiian Airlines Team Up for Unique Made in Hawaii Festival Showcase

August 15, 2019

HONOLULU (KHON2) - Local goods supported by Mana Up will be showcased at the First Hawaiian Bank Made in Hawaii Festival through a partnership with Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines is kicking off the 25th annual event as the official airline sponsor and teamed up with Mana Up to create an unique aviation-themed space.

Hawaiian Airlines and Mana Up both share a mission to share Hawaii with the world.

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Growing Local Businesses at the Made in Hawaii Festival

Growing Local Businesses at the Made in Hawaii Festival

August 15, 2019

Hawaiian Airlines

As the flagship carrier of Hawai‘i for nine decades, we are proud to indulge our guests in the flavors, sights and sounds of the Islands each time they fly with us. Behind the scenes, we’re working closely with movers and shakers across the state to weave their products and stories into the flight experience.

Hawaiian Airlines is the Official Airline Sponsor of the 25th Annual Made in Hawaii Festival (MIHF), sharing our love for local products with kama‘āina statewide.

The upcoming three-day marketplace will feature hundreds of Hawai‘i businesses from throughout the Islands, including our interactive, entrepreneur-focused booth done in collaboration with our partner, Mana Up, a local initiative helping companies scale their products.

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Mana Up Cohort 4 Announced

Mana Up Cohort 4 Announced

August 09, 2019

Hawai'i Business Magazine

Hawai‘i based product accelerator Mana Up’s fourth cohort contains a diverse mix of companies.

From designer eyewear to body odor combatting pills, the cohort offers authentic Hawai‘i goods and is focused on developing the businesses for expansion. The ten companies are spread across O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island.

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Interview with Meli James of Mana Up

Interview with Meli James of Mana Up

July 23, 2019

Impact HUB Honolulu

We are so excited to be a part of the #startupparadise that is Hawaii. We share a vision with many accelerators, businesses, organizations, and individuals to expand business opportunities here in the islands, and beyond.

One such visionary, whom we are proud to call a friend and a partner, is Meli James. She’s the President of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association and the Founder of Mana Up, an accelerator for packaged goods and brands in Hawaii. She’s a leader in the business community here in Honolulu, and she had some awesome thoughts to share during a recent conversation at her offices in Honolulu.

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