Manufacturing in Hawaii Initiative

Manufacturing Extension Partnership
INNOVATE Hawaii is the Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization for Hawaii. They serve small and medium-size companies of all industries in Hawaii who are willing to invest time, money and people to build and improve their manufacturing business.
Hawaii Foreign Trade Zone
The Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone #9 (FTZ#9) program has brought cost savings benefits to Hawaii businesses and entrepreneurs. The FTZ#9 program has been instrumental in retaining manufacturing and small business activity in Hawaii by encouraging companies to compete in export markets, and providing growth to new companies that import and export merchandise. By using a Foreign-Trade Zone, a company can gain a competitive edge over foreign-based competitors. This is done through the reduction of certain operational costs that are incurred when conducting international business.
National Association of Manufacturers
The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the sole Hawaii representative and member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). NAM is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 12 million men and women, contributes more than $1.8 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector, and accounts for two-thirds of private-sector research and development.
Hawaii Enterprise Zone Program
The Enterprise Zones (EZ) partnership program is a joint state-county effort intended to stimulate—via tax and other incentives—certain types of business activity, job preservation and job creation in areas where they are most appropriate or needed.

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Serves the interests of all of Hawaii’s business community, with over 1,000 member companies representing more than 200,000 employees. The Chamber is the largest organization to serve as the “Voice of Business” in Hawaii and also provides Certificate of Origin services.
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT)
Serves as Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conversation information, enterprise zone and foreign trade advantages. The Business Development and Support Division in DBEDT supports Hawaii manufacturers through targeted export promotion activities. These export promotions include overseas trade missions and Hawaii company pavilions at international exhibitions, both designed to increase existing and and generate new export sales for participating Hawaii companies. Additional information can be found at: http://invest.hawaii.gov/hi-step.
There are also a number of mission-specific agencies to DBEDT, which can also be relevant to manufacturers such as 1) the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation (HSDC), established in 1990 to promote economic development and diversification in Hawaii through a return-driven investment program in partnership with private capital and 2) the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), established in 1983 to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s commercial high technology industry.
Oahu Economic Development Board
A private organization that envisions a prosperous Hawaii through partnerships, collaboration and community input. Organization’s focus is working with companies in the high-tech manufacturing sector.
Hawaii Island Economic Development Board
Provides and promotes private sector support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawaii County in partnership with federal, state, county and private resources. Nurtures sustainable growth and development of Hawaii Island, its people and products in balance with the diverse and unique resources of the island and respectful of the native culture.
Maui Economic Development Board
Provides leadership for the responsible design and development of a strong and diversified economy for Maui. Founded on the belief that the most lasting actions are those derived from public/private partnerships. To achieve its mission, MEDB collaborates with business, government and academia to implement initiatives endorsed by the community.
Kauai Economic Development Board
Serves as a catalyst for developing innovative, effective partnerships with public, private, non-profit and other community sectors to accomplish shared goals for a strong economy.

U.S. Export Assistance Center
Helps U.S.-based businesses develop and expand their revenue streams from potential foreign markets.
Hawaii Pacific Export Council
Serves to promote U.S. exports from Hawaii and the American Pacific Islands by supporting the activities of the U.S. Commercial Service and Hawaii Export Assistance Center, counseling businesses on the exporting process and conducting trade education programs.
Hawaii Foreign Trade Zone
The Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone #9 (FTZ#9) program has brought cost savings benefits to Hawaii businesses and entrepreneurs. The FTZ#9 program has been instrumental in retaining manufacturing and small business activity in Hawaii by encouraging companies to compete in export markets, and providing growth to new companies that import and export merchandise.  By using a Foreign-Trade Zone, a company can gain a competitive edge over foreign-based competitors. This is done through the reduction of certain operational costs that are incurred when conducting international business.
DBTD’s Targeted Export Promotion Program
The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism’s Business Development and Support Division supports Hawaii manufacturers through a number of initiatives, including targeted export promotion activities. These export promotions include overseas trade missions and Hawaii company pavilions at international exhibitions, both designed to increase existing and generate new export sales for participating Hawaii companies. Most recent overseas trade shows promoted Hawaii apparel companies and giftware manufacturers. Partial funding for these targeted export promotion activities is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program. Additional information can be found at: http://invest.hawaii.gov/hi-step.
SCORE
Provides professional counseling, education and mentoring for Hawaii’s diverse business community. SCORE Hawaii is part of SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of the nation’s small businesses.
Small Business Administration
Provides resources, articles and information on starting and running a business. Also provides loan guarantee support for businesses looking to obtain bank financing. Check out these helpful tips for starting a business.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)
Responsible for securing the border and facilitating lawful international trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws and regulations, including immigration and drug laws. CBP is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s largest and most complex components with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. Check out CBP’s Tips for New Importers and Exporters.

Custom Brokerage Firms

American Customs Brokerage Company Inc.
DHL Express
(808) 836-2967
M. Bowers & Co. Inc.
(808) 538-6984

Small Business Administration Tips for Finding Wholesale Suppliers
Provides counseling, training and financing to support small business export opportunities. SBA also provides tips on researching and finding wholesale suppliers.
 
American Chambers of Commerce Abroad
American chambers of commerce around the world is one way to find contacts and businesses that you can use to find a wholesale supplier.

Workforce Development Division
Provides training assistance programs for employers and is part of the Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR).

American Job Center
Serve as Oahu’s one-stop centers providing federally funded services for employers and jobseekers, and overseen by the Oahu Workforce Investment Board.

Work Wise Kauai
Serves to connect Kauai’s people, businesses and resources.

County of Maui – Workforce Development
Serves to augment public and private initiatives to help residents obtain needed skills through a variety of workforce training and partnership efforts.

UH-Community Colleges – Workforce Development
University of Hawaii Community Colleges provide customized training in the following areas:

• Business
• Energy and Environment
• Health
• Information Technology
• Safety and Security
• Management and Leadership
• Transportation

To find out how your business can benefit from customized training, call any one of the seven community colleges to help develop your workforce and achieve your goals, or call its Workforce Development Office at (808) 956-5145.

Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
Provides economic forecasts that contribute to long-term statewide planning. The department’s Research & Economic Analysis Division (READ) collects, compiles, interprets and posts data and statistics on all aspects of business activity, the economy and demographic characteristics of the State of Hawaii. READ also creates research reports on the economy and emerging industries of the state, and provides the statistical and economic foundation for the state’s HIGrowth Initiative.
 
UHERO – The Economic Research Organization of the University of Hawaii
Serves as a one-stop-shop for local data and research. UHERO’s unique Data Portal provides access to the most up-to-date information on the state’s visitor industry, income, employment and other crucial indicators of Hawaii’s economy.
 
U.S. Export Assistance Center 
Assists small-to-medium sized companies that have the capabilities to export a product and/or service.