Chamber participates in inaugural ‘Hawaii on the Hill’ initiative

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce participated in the first Hawaii on the Hill initiative July 22 and 23 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Co-chaired by Sen. Mazie Hirono and the rest of the Hawaii delegation, the event highlighted the state’s businesses, food and culture on Capitol Hill. The two-day affair included a Hawaii Policy Summit, tours of the White House and Capitol, and concluded with a “Taste of Hawaii” reception with more than 700 invited guests experiencing the sights, sounds and tastes of Hawaii.

More than 30 Hawaii businesses and organizations were welcomed on the “Hill.” Hawaii Policy Summit discussions included Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, Director Patricia Loui with the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director for Export Promotion Leila Aridi Afas and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Margaret Cummisky. Hawaii attendees were able to share issues and concerns, as well as promote Hawaii as a place to do business.

Hirono asked the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii to spearhead this event, with neighbor island chambers and statewide industry associations invited to participate. The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii County and Tiki Shark Art represented Hawaii Island. Products offered at the KKCC/county table for the “Taste of Hawaii” reception included ohia lehua honey from The Big Island Bee Co., Spirolina and BioAstin samples from Cyanotech, more than 600 anthuriums from Green Point Nursery, chocolate samples from Kona Mountain Coffee Co. and macadamia nuts from Mauna Loa. Tiki Shark Art shared its unique, Hawaiian-style art designs and beach apparel by Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker.

For more information, call 329-1758 or visit kona-kohala.com.