15-05-2025
Third annual Hawaii-made Conference addresses issues small businesses face
HONOLULU (KHON2) — It's an important event for Hawaii's small businesses. The third annual Hawaii-Made Conference will take place May 20 at the Hawaii Convention Center.
The event will be hosted by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
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According to DBEDT Deputy Director Dane Wicker, DBEDT's mission is to support a diverse and globally competitive economy for Hawai'i.
The Hawai'i-Made Conference brings together entrepreneurs, manufacturers, retailers and policymakers to strengthen our product-based designed to give local business owners access to the tools, insights, and connections they need to scale — whether that means breaking into visitor markets, expanding retail opportunities or overcoming production challenges.
Wicker noted that when our entrepreneurs thrive, so does the economy.
Meli James, who is the co-founder of Mana Up, is the keynote speaker this year. She told KHON2 she wants to help founders understand what makes Hawai'i-made brands truly stand out — not just to consumers, but also to retail buyers.
James added that it starts with a great product, but also includes the story behind it, the ability to scale and the openness to evolve. Her goal is to inspire people to think big while giving them practical strategies they can apply right away.
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Registration is open now at The $50 fee includes access to all sessions, networking opportunities, and the keynote luncheon with Meli James.
It's a full day packed with valuable insights, tools, and networking for anyone looking to grow their Hawai'i-based product business.
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