Local brands join Mana Up Cohort 11 to expand Hawaii-made businesses

Sunrise admin June 15, 2026 0 Comments

Local brands join Mana Up Cohort 11 to expand Hawaii-made businesses

HONOLULU (Hawaii News Now) – A Hawaii-based business accelerator is continuing its push to strengthen the local economy by supporting homegrown companies.

Mana Up selected 11 entrepreneurs, chosen from 256 applicants, to receive mentorship, business resources and retail development support. Its goal is to scale up Hawaii-made products locally and beyond.

Derek Ching, owner of Yick Lung under Hawaii’s Choice, and Danielle Gosiaco, owner of Oceans End, joined HNN’s Sunrise Weekends to talk about how being part of this cohort has helped grow their businesses.

The initiative focuses on building a stronger economic ecosystem in Hawaii by helping local consumer brands grow sustainably, create jobs and expand market opportunities while staying rooted in the islands.

Gosiaco said it has been an amazing opportunity to be part of the cohort with their mentorships and partnerships, especially as the company continues to grow.

“As we’re growing, we feel that what they have to offer us is such a great opportunity, and we wanted to take that, and we’re ready for it,” Gosiaco said.

Oceans End makes premium handbags using vegan leather products made from recycled, biodegradable polyurethane.

Hawaii’s Choice is a multicultural business started more than 100 years ago in Hawaii.

“A lot of people remember Yick Lung from days of their childhood, they remember the Li Hing Mui and crackseeds now we have are hero brand, which is our ‘Nibb-it’ snack twists,” Ching said.

Ching said the Mana Up cohort has helped sharpen their brand story, guided their business strategy and supported efforts to expand beyond Hawaii to the mainland and even international markets.

For those interested in applying for Cohort 12, applications are open until March 2, 2027.

You can find Hawaii’s Choice online at hawaiischoice.com and Oceans End at oceansend.com.