Manufacturing Facility Tours Planned on Maui

Governor David Ige issued a proclamation designating Oct. 2, 2015 as Manufacturing Day in Hawaiʻi. Photo credit: Chamber of Commerce.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and INNOVATE Hawaiʻi, will host a bus tour of Maui manufacturing facilities on Monday, Sept. 28 in conjunction with National Manufacturing Week, which runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, 2015.

The tour aims to provide an insider’s look at how local manufacturers operate and to highlight the importance of manufacturing to the community and local economy.

National Manufacturing Week is a statewide initiative with events on Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

Governor David Ige issued a proclamation designating Oct. 2, 2015 as Manufacturing Day in Hawaiʻi. Photo credit: Chamber of Commerce.

To kick off the week, Governor David Ige issued a proclamation today designating Oct. 2, 2015 as Manufacturing Day in Hawaiʻi.

“This is the first year we’ve taken part in offering a bus tour to highlight the importance of manufacturing to Maui,” said Pamela Tumpap, president, Maui Chamber of Commerce in an event announcement. “We look forward to continuing to build partnerships with the local businesses community and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi to move this industry ahead.”

The National Manufacturing Day bus tour schedule will feature the following Maui manufacturers:

• Monday, September 28, Maui – HC&S, Maui Soda & Ice Works/Roselani, Hāliʻimaile/Maui Gold and Pau Maui Vodka

Tours on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaʻii Island include the following:

• Thursday, Oct. 1, Oʻahu – Coastal Windows, Meadow Gold, Maui Divers, and the UH College of Engineering
• Friday, Oct. 2, Kauaʻi – Monkey Pod Jam, Papalua Kitchen, Green Energy Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi Coffee Company, Kauaʻi Kookie Company, and Koloa Rum.
• Friday, Oct. 2, Hilo – HPM Building Supply Shipman Manufacturing Plant, Pacific Biodiesel, Mehana Brewing Company, Meadow Gold Dairies, and KTA Super Stores Mountain Apple Brand

“As the exclusive affiliate in the state of Hawaiʻi for the National Association of Manufacturers, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi seeks to increase and diversify Hawaii’s manufacturing initiatives,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, Chamber president and CEO in a press release statement. “The manufacturing industry is a vital component of Hawaiʻi’s economy and continues to flourish, supporting nearly 13,500 jobs in Hawaiʻi, with small businesses representing approximately 85.5% of all exporters in Hawaiʻi.”

According Chamber of Commerce information, there are more than 1,000 manufacturers in Hawaiʻi with 71% of the state’s export share, providing over 13,500 jobs with an average annual compensation of over $42,800 per year or 15% more than other private non-farm jobs.