The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) is actively supporting local entrepreneurs and expanding opportunities for Hawaii-made products, according to its August 2025 e-newsletter. The newsletter showcases DBEDT's efforts to bolster the state's business environment, facilitate the growth of the agricultural sector, and increase Hawaii's global connections, providing valuable insights for investors and professionals in the state.
One key initiative highlighted in the newsletter is the Hawaii Made Pavilion debut at the Made in Hawaii Festival. This pavilion provides a platform for local businesses to showcase their products, fostering brand visibility and market access. Furthermore, DBEDT's support extends to facilitating exports. The department's launch of the Food and Product Innovation Network (FPIN) demonstrates this commitment. The FPIN bridges education to export pathways by equipping schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs with skills and infrastructure to bring Hawaii's innovations to the global marketplace. Maui Now's recent report highlights how this network, along with other initiatives, helps build a resilient and sustainable economy.
These programs are crucial for the state's economic development. Hawaii Made, a free resource provided by DBEDT, emphasizes the department's focus on promoting products grown or manufactured in Hawaii, creating jobs, and supporting the local economy. The Invest Hawaii website provides more details on the Hawaii Made program. By aiding local businesses in reaching broader markets and offering support for product innovation, DBEDT aims to reduce dependence on imports and improve community resilience.
Entrepreneurs and investors in Hawaii should take note of these developments, as they signal a concerted effort to strengthen the business landscape. These efforts come as DBEDT has slightly reduced its economic growth projections for 2025 to 1.7 percent due to expected slowdowns, according to a DBEDT blog post from March 2025. Despite this change, DBEDT is actively working to support and grow local businesses and markets through initiatives like the FPIN and the Hawaii Made program, offering promising opportunities for those involved in Hawaii's business sectors.
DBEDT also regularly provides updates and resources through its newsletter to assist businesses. Accessing this information is made easy through subscription. DBEDT provides a way to join their mailing list to learn more about these business support programs.
