MANA UP BRINGS ALOHA MARKET TO LOS ANGELES
Limited-Time Shopping & Culture Event Makes Its Debut in in Venice Beach to Celebrate Maui and the Innovative Entrepreneurs Behind Hawai‘i’s Rising Brands
Los Angeles, CA – (September 4, 2024) Mana Up, the award-winning Hawai‘i-based economic accelerator, will host its first Aloha Market in Los Angeles, at 1511 Abbot Kinney Blvd, in Venice Beach, from September 20-22. This immersive Hawai‘i-themed pop-up retail and cultural experience will showcase the creativity and spirit of over 50 exceptional Hawai‘i artisans, entrepreneurs and brands. Free and open to the public, attendees will be able to shop unique products that embody the essence of the Islands, and participate in activities like lei making workshops, craft cocktail classes with Kō Hana Rum, pie tastings with Hawaiian Pie Company, interactive demonstrations, artist meet-and-greets, insightful panel discussions, and more!
Aloha Market LA will feature brands from across all islands and highlight several Maui companies, including HI Spice, Maui Chili Chili Oil, Maui Crisps, To Be Organics, Advance Wildlife Education, and Nāpili FLO Farm. Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, King’s Hawaiian, Honolulu Cookie Company, Kahala, Shaka Tea, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, and Hawaiian Airlines will also be among the iconic brands bringing the flavors and products of Hawai‘i to Southern California.
“We are thrilled to showcase the innovative and world-class products coming out of Hawai‘i at this exclusive event in Los Angeles,” says Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up. “Aloha Market is a unique opportunity to introduce exceptional Hawai‘i-made items and incredible entrepreneurs to Southern California. We are excited to bring a taste of Hawai‘i’s creative spirit to the heart of Los Angeles, so the community can truly experience our Islands.”
Aloha Market LA is presented by Mana Up in partnership with The Hawaiian Islands.
Jay Talwar, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau says, “Los Angeles is Hawai‘i’s top domestic market, and engaging events, like Aloha Market, are crucial to driving travel demand to an audience with a deep appreciation and love for Hawai‘i. It’s an opportunity to remind our friends in Southern California of the unique experiences and products that make Hawai‘i special and also ensure tourism benefits all of Hawai‘i’s people.”
Mana Up also hosted successful Aloha Markets in New York City and Tokyo, which set attendance and sales records in those destinations.
With a mission to expand the economy and grow jobs for the people of Hawai‘i, Mana Up scales Hawai‘i-based businesses globally, and has had nearly 100 local companies graduate from its annual business accelerator program. Those rising brands include Big Island Coffee Roasters, Hawaiian Soda Co, NOHO Home, Averylily, Nick Kuchar, Aloha de Mele, Kris Goto, Mohala Eyewear, Ua Body, Ao Organics, Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals, LexBreezy, Lotus & Lime, Waiwaolani, and David Shepard.
Aloha Market Pop-Up Details:
- What: Aloha Market LA by Mana Up
- Where: 1511 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
- When: September 20 - 22 (10AM - 5PM, Fri & Sat; 10AM - 4PM Sun)
- General admission: Free (Select events will be ticketed and must be reserved).
For more information and to RSVP, visit: Aloha Market LA
About Mana Up
Founded by Meli James & Brittany Heyd, Mana Up is an accelerator and venture fund that introduces 100% Hawai‘i-based companies to global markets, and boosts economic opportunity for the people of Hawai‘i. To date, 95 companies have participated in the six-month program that provides expansion opportunities and helps solve business challenges. For more information about the accelerator program, visit ManaUpHawaii.com, and to shop and explore products from the company’s entrepreneurs, visit HouseofManaUp.com.
Mana Up is supported by Kamehameha Schools, Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Airlines, Bank of Hawai‘i, ALTRES, Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation, Innovate Hawai‘i, American Savings Bank, Ulupono Initiative, Young Brothers, UHA Health Insurance, Pineapple Tweed, Shopify, Foodland, DFS, and Dole.
About HVCB
The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is a private, non-profit membership organization founded in 1945. Contracted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) for marketing services in the continental U.S., HVCB works in partnership with its members to promote Hawaiʻi as a premier visitor destination. HVCB serves the people of Hawaiʻi by showcasing the state's unique culture, natural beauty, and aloha spirit to the world, aiming to foster a regenerative tourism model that ensures the social, environmental, and economic balance for our island home. For more information about The Hawaiian Islands, visit GoHawaii.com. For more about HVCB, visit HVCB.org or follow updates on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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