First-Ever “Made In Maui County” Festival Planned in November

Locally grown produce. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development announced plans for an inaugural “Made in Maui County” Festival, to be held November 7 and 8 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

Department officials say an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 residents and visitors are expected to attend the event, which will showcase a variety of made-in-Maui County products, including food, produce, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, gifts, and collectibles in one location.

The event includes the following highlights:

• Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, 2-6 p.m.: Wholesale Buyers and Distributors Event and Reception (by invitation only).
• Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Festival opens with approximately 100 vendors offering Maui products, food, and demonstrations. Admission is $3; children 12 and under are admitted for free.

Anthuriums, locally grown flowers. Photo by Wendy Osher.

In a press release statement, Mayor Alan Arakawa said the event will give local merchants a chance to showcase and sell their items, while stimulating the economy by bringing in interested shoppers to the island.

Department Director Teena Rasmussen said the Maui event is patterned after the successful “Made In Hawaiʻi” Festival, but that not all Maui businesses can afford to go to Oʻahu for the event.

“Costs for transportation, accommodations and staffing can quickly add up. That’s why this new event was created to make it more affordable and convenient for our local businesses to showcase their products right here at home,” said Rasmussen in a press release statement.

Made In Maui County Festival logo.

In addition to the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the event is also being presented in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap commented noting that the Chamber has worked for many years to build awareness of locally made products through the “Made in Maui” brand and the Made in Maui Trade Council.

“Both residents and visitors are always looking for things made by local people, local hands, local hearts, to keep dollars in our community and to grow these outstanding businesses,” said Tumpap in the joint announcement. “This Made In Maui County Festival will be a celebration of the many wonderful products created here on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi,” she said.

Event organizers say they are now accepting both vendor applications and sponsorships. Vendors must be based in Maui County and feature a minimum of 51%, value-added in Hawaiʻi.

Applications can be downloaded on the event’s official website.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available via the same website.