Posted on: Friday, October 3, 2003
Lingle honors top exporters of Hawai'i goods
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer
A Kona company that has rapidly become one of the world's largest abalone farms was named the state's Exporter of the Year by Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday.
The Big Island Abalone Corp. was among seven companies and individuals honored at a ceremony at Washington Place for top exporters of Hawai'i goods and services.
Big Island Abalone, a 10-acre farm in the Hawaii Ocean Sciences and Technology Park at Keahole Point, increased its annual output of Ezo abalone from 5› tons to 29› tons last year. It is expecting to produce 70 tons this year and, at full capacity, 100 tons next year.
At that point, according to company officials, Big Island Abalone will be producing 55 percent of U.S. abalone exports to Japan, the largest importer of the product. It will also become the world's largest Ezo abalone farm outside of Asia.
Company officials estimate 90 percent of its fresh abalone product is exported. Big Island Abalone expects sales of $3 million this year, triple what it made a year ago.
The company also took home the 2003 Exporter of Fresh Commodities award after winning the New Exporter of the Year honor last year.
Others honored yesterday were:
• Exporter of High Technology: Blue Planet Software Inc. and Oceanic Imaging Consultants Inc. Blue Planet owns the popular Tetris game, while Oceanic Imaging developed and markets seafloor imaging software. • Exporter of Manufactured Products: Safe Water Systems LLC, which has created a product that produces potable water without the use of electricity, fuels or chemicals. • New Exporter: Cates International Inc., which raises moi fish in submerged cages offshore. • Exporter of Professional Services: Makai Ocean Engineering Inc., a worldwide leader in the planning, simulation and installation of submarine cables and deep ocean pipes. • Outstanding Contributor to Exporting: Richard Nelson of Hawaii Biz Link LLC, for his efforts to increase the state's agricultural exports.
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
