It's now easier to have some local brands delivered right to you.
House of Mana Up — the retail arm of Mana Up, a Hawai‘i-based business accelerator that aims to help local product companies scale globally — is now live on Instacart.
Both House of Mana Up retail locations — in South Shore Market and Royal Hawaiian Center — now offer same-day delivery.
"For the first time, customers can browse and order a curated selection of Hawai‘i-made food, fashion, beauty and wellness products — as well as spirits from Kō Hana Rum — all delivered straight to their home, hotel or office in just hours," a recent announcement noted. "Shoppers can also order select gift sets featuring local products from across the islands — perfect for last-minute surprises or sharing a taste of Hawai‘i with friends and family."
There currently are approximately 40 curated products per store on Instacart.
Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up, told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions from Aloha State Daily that this is a meaningful milestone.
"From the beginning, our mission has been to build a stronger economic future for Hawai‘i by helping local businesses scale globally," she said. "Being on a platform like Instacart — alongside major national retailers — is a powerful signal that Hawai‘i-based brands can compete at that level. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about visibility, credibility and creating new pathways for growth."
James says Mana Up has been "very intentional" about finding the right partners for everything it does, so working with Instacart was a "natural fit." The partnership came together relatively quickly over the past several months after Head of Marketing Marc Graser made the connection, she explained.
"Their team immediately saw the value in what we’re building — especially our focus on supporting 100% Hawai‘i-based companies — and got excited about the opportunity," James continues. "From there, we worked to ensure the experience reflects the quality and story behind our brands. Through this collaboration, we’re not only gaining the infrastructure to scale quickly, but also tapping into a powerful platform for visibility and exposure, all while maintaining the curated experience House of Mana Up is known for."
James says that at its core, Mana Up exists to help companies based in the Islands "grow beyond the limitations of geography."
"One of the biggest barriers for local brands has always been access — how easily customers can discover and purchase their products," she says. "With Instacart, we’re removing that friction. Now, whether you’re a local resident or visiting Hawai‘i, you can access these products instantly. It’s about meeting customers where they are and making it easier than ever to support local entrepreneurs."
The impact of this Instacart debut is two-fold, offering both immediate access and long-term discovery, James says.
"In the short term, it opens up a new sales channel that drives incremental revenue — especially through convenience and impulse purchases," she says. "People can now receive products within hours, which changes buying behavior significantly.
"In the long term, it dramatically increases exposure. Instacart has over 15 million users, and now our entrepreneurs’ products are positioned alongside household-name brands. That kind of visibility is invaluable — it builds awareness, introduces new customers to Hawai‘i brands, and creates repeat purchasing opportunities that extend far beyond a single visit to the Islands."
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
