🌺 What Does “Made in Hawai‘i” Really Mean? Celebrating Local Creativity and the Festival That Supports It

Aloha friends!

We’ve got exciting news to share—Coconut Ave is heading to the 2025 Made in Hawai‘i Festival! We'll be at the Hawai‘i Convention Center from August 15–17, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this incredible showcase of local creativity, community, and craftsmanship.

If you’ve never been to the Made in Hawai‘i Festival, you're in for a real treat. It's one of the largest celebrations of local goods and culture in the state—a vibrant, high-energy event where Hawai‘i’s entrepreneurs, makers, designers, and foodies all come together under one roof. For small businesses like ours, it’s more than just a festival—it’s a platform, a launchpad, and a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do.

But here’s something a lot of people don’t know: "Made in Hawai‘i" has a real definition—and a really thoughtful purpose.

So today, we’re pulling back the curtain to talk story about:

• What “Made in Hawai‘i” actually means
  
  

• How it supports our communities
  
  

• Why it’s more than just a label—it’s a movement
  
  

🌺 Made in Hawai‘i: A Quick Breakdown

Let’s start with the basics.

The phrase “Made in Hawai‘i” isn’t just a feel-good marketing term. It’s a legally defined designation that requires products to meet specific criteria. In fact, to qualify for the Made in Hawai‘i Festival, every business has to show that their products meet one very clear rule:

At least 51% of the wholesale value of each product must be added in Hawai‘i.

That means over half of the actual value—through design, materials, labor, and production—has to happen right here in the islands.

And the organizers don’t just take your word for it! Every business must submit a detailed valuation form for each product they plan to sell. It’s a pretty rigorous process (trust us, we know!), but it's 100% worth it to ensure the festival is filled with authentic, local-forward products that support Hawai‘i’s economy and culture.

💡 Why It Matters

Supporting “Made in Hawai‘i” isn’t just about keeping things local—it’s about investing in the future of Hawai‘i.

Here’s why this designation makes such a huge difference:

1. It Keeps Dollars in the Community

When you buy a product that’s genuinely made in Hawai‘i, more of that money stays right here—circulating through local businesses, paying local employees, and supporting families across the islands.

2. It Protects Cultural Integrity

So many of Hawai‘i’s products are rooted in cultural meaning—whether it’s a handwoven lauhala clutch, a traditional print, or a bag of taro chips made with a secret family recipe. The “Made in Hawai‘i” designation helps protect those traditions from being copied or misrepresented elsewhere.

3. It Empowers Local Creatives

For artists, designers, and makers, qualifying as “Made in Hawai‘i” creates a way to build sustainable businesses doing what they love—without having to leave the islands. That’s huge.

4. It Encourages Thoughtful Production

Let’s be honest—creating products in Hawai‘i can be more expensive than on the mainland or overseas. So when a business chooses to build part or most of their process here, it means they’re doing it with real intention and purpose. That kind of thoughtful business deserves support.

🛍️ So What Counts as “Made in Hawai‘i”?

This is the part that surprises most people—and gets us really excited to share.

There are many ways to meet the 51% value requirement, and it goes beyond just manufacturing. Here are a few of the things that count toward a product’s Hawai‘i-made value:

• Original design and artwork
  
  

• Sample-making and prototyping
  
  

• Wages for local employees involved in production
  
  

• Quality control, packaging, and finishing work done in Hawai‘i
  
  

• Marketing, photography, and branding done locally
  
  

All of that behind-the-scenes work adds up—and it’s what makes so many Hawai‘i brands, including ours, proudly eligible to participate.

🌴 How Coconut Ave Is Made in Hawai‘i

At Coconut Ave, our prints and collections are 100% designed right here in Hawai‘i, by Mahealani Gambill, a Native Hawaiian artist, mom, and co-owner of the brand.

Every single motif—from the bold Island Bloom in Jungle green, to the graceful Ray in Stone—begins with a hand-drawn concept by Mahea on Hawai‘i Island. Those prints are woven into our collections and brought to life with silhouettes we develop together from scratch.

Our samples are created here. Our creative direction is built here. And our entire team—from inventory planning to customer service to styling—is based in Hawai‘i. Even though we manufacture abroad, the soul of everything we do is grown right here at home.

This is how we meet, and exceed the 51% Made in Hawai‘i valuation—and more importantly, how we stay rooted in who we are and where we come from.

🎉 About the Festival: August 15–17, 2025

Now that you know the story behind the label, let’s talk about the fun part!

We’ll be at the Made in Hawai‘i Festival at the Hawai‘i Convention Center all weekend:

🗓 August 15–17, 2025
📍 Booth #712
🕙 Friday & Saturday: 10AM–8PM
🕙 Sunday: 10AM–5PM

Come find us on the map—we’d love to meet you, talk story, and show you what we’ve been working on.

🌺 Debuting Our Fall Collection: Salt & Bloom

We’re beyond stoked to be debuting our newest collection, Salt & Bloom, at the festival!

This season’s vibe: grounded elegance meets coastal play. Our inspiration? Misty mornings, salt-dusted plants, and the quiet strength of the elements.

Our new signature prints include:

• 🌿 Island Bloom – Jungle: A lush, rich green floral made for island romantics.
  
  

• 🪸 Ray – Stone: A refined neutral inspired by the majestic Hawaiian ray.
  
  

• 🌴 Coastal Palm – Sand: A breezy nod to sun-bleached palms and shoreline strolls.
  
  

Expect exclusive festival pieces, surprise giveaways, and in-person specials that we only offer at events like this. It’s going to be so fun.

💬 Final Thoughts: Made in Hawai‘i with Intention

At the end of the day, “Made in Hawai‘i” is about more than geography—it’s about value. Not just the wholesale kind, but the kind that’s measured in care, culture, and creativity.

Every lei strung, every print drawn, every song sung—it all adds up to what makes Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i.

So whether you're coming to the festival to browse, support, or just soak up the aloha—we hope you leave inspired by all the incredible stories behind the brands you meet.

We’re honored to be one of them. And we can't wait to see you there.

Booth #712 — come say aloha!

With love and gratitude,
The Coconut Ave ‘Ohana
Mahealani Gambill & Kelly Pila
 🌊 @coconutave