More than 420 vendors are participating in this year "Made in Hawaii" festival, Friday-Sunday at Blaisdell Center.
The event generates $3 million in immediate sales plus $10 million in residual sales. Many of the vendors roll out new products especially for the festival, using it to gauge consumer reaction.
The festival drew 35,000 people in 2002 and 37,000 in 2003 before flattening out near that level in 2004. The Hawaii Food Industry Association said at the time it thought lack of parking prevent the event from growing even larger.
Made in Hawaii started a decade ago with fewer than 75 exhibitors, growing to nearly 300 in 2003 and more than 400 in 2004.
Dominated by food and apparel vendors but also including a spectrum from home furnishings to gag gifts, Made in Hawaii has become a platform for local entrepreneurs to roll out new products.
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