Fifteen local entrepreneurs debuted their Hawaiʻi-made food products to a crowd of nearly 150 at Leeward Community College’s Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC) on April 30. The ʻĀina to Mākeke Showcase marked the culmination of a 12-week food business course and the one-year anniversary of WVAPDC’s opening.
“This showcase is a powerful reminder of the impact education can have when it’s connected directly to community and opportunity,” said Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza.
“WVAPDC represents the best of what we strive for at Leeward CC: innovation, access and real-world outcomes.”
The ʻĀina program, run by Leeward CC’s Office of Workforce Development in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance, equips aspiring food entrepreneurs to scale home recipes into market-ready products using locally sourced ingredients.
“What we’re building here at WVAPDC is bigger than a food production facility—it’s a movement,” said WVAPDC Manager Chris Bailey. “Watching cohort five grow their businesses and step into the market with confidence is exactly why this center exists. Their success is our community’s success.”
The showcase included Bake You a Smile, Chef Friend Hawaii by Nami Kaze, Daguzan Charcuterie, Grok Coffee, Hapa Hawaiian Salts, Huli-Huli Chicken LLC, Kiʻikiʻi Farm Provisions, Madres Churros, Mana-Su LLC, Nui Kealoha, Onomea Farm Hub, Pineapple Road Beverage Co., Red Sea Hawaiʻi Connection LLC, The Doggy Kitchen and uCook Hawaiʻi LLC. Cohort five joins 60+ past graduates, many of whom now sell in major retailers such as 7-Eleven, Foodland, and Down to Earth.
Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz presented WVAPDC with a certificate from the Hawaiʻi State Senate to celebrate the Center’s achievements over the last year.
“This facility has, in just one year, transformed the landscape for local food entrepreneurs, farmers, and students across our islands,” said Dela Cruz. “This Center embodies our shared vision for economic resilience and diversification in Hawaiʻi.”
WVAPDC has served more than 1,000 individuals since opening in April 2024. The next ʻĀina to Mākeke cohort begins May 27. To receive a monthly newsletter and event information, visit the website, or email vapdc@hawaii.edu.
By Devon Bedoya
