Governor in Vegas to push Hawai'i goods

Associated Press

Gov. Ben Cayetano is in Las Vegas to participate in the kickoff of the Great Ninth Island Expo, a three-day event to display made-in-Hawai'i gifts and products.

The show was scheduled to begin today at the Stardust Resort and Casino. Primary targets for the show are the more than 85,000 former Hawai'i residents who live in the Las Vegas area.

The Honolulu Advertiser, which recently began selling daily newspapers in Las Vegas, is the presenting sponsor. The Advertiser hired NAVCOMM Marketing LLC to organize and promote the show and NAVCOMM paid for hotel rooms for Cayetano and former Gov. William Quinn, who also was invited, said NAVCOMM President Mark Horsley.

Aloha Airlines, another sponsor, paid the airfares, he said.

The state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism also is a sponsor and, to help in its mission to promote Hawai'i businesses, will reimburse vendors for part of their booth fees, Horsley said.

Among the other sponsors are Aloha Shoyu, the Hawai'i Food Manufacturers Association and KINE Hawaiian 105, which is broadcasting live from the show.

The first day of the event will focus on making contacts with distributors and businesses in Las Vegas to open new markets for Hawai'i products while the other two days will be open to the general public, he said. Products range from fresh produce, textiles and beverages to marinated meats, music, books and aloha wear.