There's something special about August in Hawaiʻi, it means the return of one of our favorite events of the year, the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival!
We're so excited to announce that Coconut Ave will once again be exhibiting at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, and we can't wait to see familiar faces, meet new friends, and share everything we've been working on over the past year.
Whether you've attended every festival or this will be your very first, this event is one of the best ways to experience the creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit that makes Hawaiʻi so unique.
Find Coconut Ave
📍 Booths #910 & #911
📅 Festival Hours:
-
Thursday, August 20
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Buyers Hours & VIP Night) -
Friday, August 21
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM (VIP Night) -
Saturday, August 22
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM -
Sunday, August 23
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Stop by to shop our newest collections, see brand-new prints in person, and talk story with our team. We always love meeting our online community face-to-face!
What Does "Made in Hawaiʻi" Really Mean?
One of the questions we hear most often is: "What actually qualifies something as Made in Hawaiʻi?"
Many people assume it simply means a product was assembled here, but the designation is actually much more thoughtful than that. To participate in the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, businesses must demonstrate that at least 51% of the wholesale value of each product is created in Hawaiʻi. That value can come from many different parts of the creative process—not just manufacturing.
Every participating business submits documentation showing how their products meet these requirements, helping ensure that the festival truly represents Hawaiʻi-based businesses and supports our local economy.
Why Supporting Made in Hawaiʻi Matters
Shopping local is about much more than purchasing a product—it's investing in the people behind it.
Supporting Local Families
When you choose products that qualify as Made in Hawaiʻi, you're helping support local entrepreneurs, artists, employees, and their families. More of your dollars stay here in the islands, strengthening our communities.
Preserving Creativity & Culture
Hawaiʻi is filled with talented designers, makers, and artisans whose work is inspired by the islands they call home. Supporting locally created products helps preserve authentic storytelling and encourages original design.
Creating Sustainable Businesses
Running a business in Hawaiʻi comes with unique challenges and higher operating costs. Choosing to support local brands helps ensure these businesses can continue creating, employing local residents, and contributing to Hawaiʻi's economy for years to come.
Encouraging Quality Over Quantity
Many Hawaiʻi brands focus on thoughtful design, smaller production runs, and products built to last rather than fast fashion or mass production. Supporting these businesses encourages craftsmanship and intentional design.
How Brands Qualify
One of the most interesting parts of the Made in Hawaiʻi program is that value isn't measured by manufacturing alone. Many aspects of product development contribute toward the required Hawaiʻi value, including:
- Original artwork and print design
- Product development and prototyping
- Pattern making and sampling
- Local employee wages
- Photography and marketing
- Branding and creative direction
- Packaging and finishing completed in Hawaiʻi
- Quality control and business operations
Every product tells a story long before it reaches a store shelf.
How Coconut Ave Meets the Standard
At Coconut Ave, every collection begins right here in Hawaiʻi. Our original prints are hand-designed by co-owner and Native Hawaiian designer Mahealani Gambill, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, plants, ocean, and culture that surround us.
Every Coconut Ave piece begins long before it's sewn. Our original artwork, print design, silhouettes, fit development, thoughtful details, collection planning, production management, and creative direction are all dreamed, designed, and refined here in Hawaiʻi. While our garments are responsibly sewn by our trusted manufacturing partners overseas, every piece is infused with countless hours of creativity, collaboration, and aloha before it ever reaches your wardrobe.
Being part of the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival is something we're incredibly proud of because it reflects the care, creativity, and intention that goes into every piece we create.
What's New This Year?
We're bringing plenty of New Arrivals, fresh island-inspired prints, and some of our favorite Best Sellers styles. Whether you're looking for your next favorite outfit, new swimwear, easy island dresses, or the perfect gift to bring home, we'll have something for everyone.
You'll also be able to:
- Shop new arrivals before they're gone
- Feel our fabrics in person
- Meet the Coconut Ave team
- See exclusive festival merchandise
- Enjoy special event-only promotions
- Peep a new collaboration
If you've been following us online, this is your chance to experience the collections in person.
Come Talk Story With Us
One of our favorite parts of the festival isn't just selling clothing—it's hearing your stories. We love meeting customers who discovered us years ago, visitors finding us for the first time, and locals who proudly support Hawaiʻi businesses.
Those conversations remind us why we started Coconut Ave in the first place. Every purchase helps us continue designing from Hawaiʻi, creating meaningful jobs, and sharing our love for island living with people around the world.
We Can't Wait to See You
If you're planning to attend this year's Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, be sure to stop by and say aloha!
📍 Coconut Ave
Booths #910 & #911
📅 Festival Hours:
-
Thursday, August 20
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Buyers Hours & VIP Night) -
Friday, August 21
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM (VIP Night) -
Saturday, August 22
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM -
Sunday, August 23
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Mahalo for supporting local businesses, Hawaiian-owned brands, and the creators who pour their hearts into everything they make. We can't wait to see you at the festival!
With aloha,
The Coconut Ave ʻOhana
Mahealani Gambill & Kelly Pila