Above: Above: Par Hawaii's team in Kapolei. Par Hawaii is the leading supplier of transportation fuels in Hawaii (Image source: Par Hawaii)
What’s made in Hawaii? While known as the ultimate American travel destination, the state of Hawaii also boasts a small but robust manufacturing sector, with deep roots in food processing, strong exports, and larger minority ownership.
Let’s explore the latest facts and trends in Hawaii’s manufacturing sector and explore its top companies, based on MNI survey of the state’s nearly 800 manufacturers.
Key Facts on Hawaii’s Manufacturing Sector
According to MNI, compiler of the industrial information that powers IndustrySelect, Hawaii is currently home to 713 manufacturing companies employing 18,294 workers.
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According to MNI, Honolulu is Hawaii’s largest city based on number of manufacturing jobs, with 8,976 workers.
Read more: Top Manufacturing States in the U.S.
Other top cities in Hawaii include
- Kapolei (2,677 jobs)
- Waipahu (993 jobs)
- Aiea (990 jobs)
- Kailua Kona (632jobs)
The food manufacturing industry ranks as Hawaii’s largest industrial sector based on number of jobs, employing 37% of the state’s industrial workers. The printing and publishing industry employs another 13%, while miscellaneous manufacturing industries employ 8%. Additional top industries include apparel and other textile products with 7% of the state’s workforce and fabricated metal products with 5%.
MNI reports there are 3,177 executive contacts among Hawaii’s manufacturing companies, including 488 presidents, 395 owners and partners; 209 vice-presidents and 218 sales, marketing and purchasing executives (you can reach all of these executives with the Hawaii Manufacturing Industry Database)
Other facts to know about Hawaii manufacturers, based on IndustrySelect’s advanced criteria available to subscribers, include ownership, distribution and other trends. Let’s take a look:
- 2% of Hawaii manufacturers are women-owned
- 3% are minority-owned
- 8% are publicly owned companies
- 14% import raw materials
- 18% distribute their products internationally.
These statistics reveal that more Hawaii manufacturers import more materials, compared to the national average (14% versus 11% nationally) and have more minority ownership (3% in Hawaii compared to 1% amongst U.S. manufacturers as a whole).
Next, we’ll take a look at the state’s top companies.
Top Manufacturing Companies in Hawaii
| Company | Employees | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Cookie Co. | 500 | Honolulu | HI |
| Island Energy Services, LLC | 350 | Kapolei | HI |
| Crazy Shirts | 300 | Aiea | HI |
| Food Solutions International | 250 | Waipahu | HI |
| Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. | 250 | Keaau | HI |
| Par Hawaii Refining, LLC | 245 | Kapolei | HI |
| Lanakila Pacific, Inc. | 235 | Honolulu | HI |
| Pepsi Beverages Co. | 225 | Aiea | HI |
| Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii, LLC | 220 | Honolulu | HI |
| Warabeya USA, Inc. | 217 | Waipahu | HI |
Looking to make contact with industrial decision makers in Hawaii? Reach 1,100 companies and 2,300 executives in this powerful industry with the Hawaii Manufacturing Industry Database, only from MNI. Need a different state? Explore all of our databases by state, industry, executive, niche market, and more. Want to take our data for a test drive first? Sign up for a free demo account, loaded with 500 real company profiles (see a sample profile).
About the Top 10 Manufacturing Companies in Hawaii
1. Honolulu Cookie Co.
Established in 1998 and employing 500 people, Honolulu Cookie Co. is known for its gourmet pineapple-shaped shortbread cookies. The company operates from a 37,000 square foot facility in Honolulu, HI.
2. Island Energy Services, LLC
With 350 employees, Island Energy Services, LLC began in Kapolei, HI, in 2017. The company operates a refinery and a network of retail service stations, providing a range of refined products across the state.
3. Crazy Shirts
Crazy Shirts has been offering shirts, shorts, and casual wear since 1964. Based in Aiea, HI, the company has a workforce of 300.
4. Food Solutions International
Food Solutions International, located in Waipahu, HI, has been in operation since 1966. The company’s 250 employees produce pastries, bread, bagels, cakes, cookies, chili entrees, soups, and sauces.
5. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp.
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. was established in 1973 and employs 250 people in Keaau, HI. The company specializes in macadamia nut processing within a 30,000 square foot facility.
6. Par Hawaii Refining LLC
Par Hawaii Refining, LLC, started in 1972 in Kapolei, HI, and employs 245 people. The company operates a cogeneration plant and distributes refined products throughout the state.
7. Lanakila Pacific, Inc.
Since 1958, Lanakila Pacific, Inc. has been providing contract packaging and silk-screening services. The Honolulu, HI-based company employs 235 people and operates from a 46,000 square foot space.
8. Pepsi Beverages Co.
Pepsi Beverages Co., located in Aiea, HI, employs 225 people and operates from a 225,000 square foot facility.
9. Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii
A subsidiary of The Odom Corporation, Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii plays a key role in the beverage industry across the islands. Located in Honolulu, the company distributes a wide range of Coca-Cola products, ensuring that Hawaii stays refreshed. With multiple locations across the state, it serves both retail and commercial clients, contributing to the local economy.
10. Warabeya USA, Inc.
Warabeya USA specializes in food manufacturing, particularly convenience meals and bento-style products. Based in Waipahu, the company supplies fresh, ready-to-eat meals to retailers, including 7-Eleven stores. With a focus on quality and efficiency, Warabeya USA plays a significant role in Hawaii’s food production sector.
Interested in other states? Browse all of our state news here.
Looking for Industrial Sales Leads in Hawaii?
For those looking to do business with manufacturers, IndustrySelect’s database of 350,000+ U.S. manufacturers is a top resource for both developing and researching sales leads in the manufacturing sector. An IndustrySelect subscription can put you on a first-name basis with Hawaii’ s 1,100+ industrial companies and 2,300+ executives. Subscribers can select up to 40 data points on any manufacturing company in the U.S. to help identify or pre-qualify leads. Company profiles also include the contact information for hard-to-find executive decision-makers. Set up your free demo account of IndustrySelect, loaded with 500 real company profiles so you can test all the features of this powerful software!