From celebrating new milestones to unveiling innovative ideas, from strengthening our community partnerships to sharing laughter and camaraderie through friendly team competitions – 2024 has been a year of growth, gratitude, and celebration at Hawaiian Host Group! Take a look below at some of our team’s most memorable moments that made this year so special.
The Introduction of Macs, our Chief Happiness Officer
We welcomed Macs to the HHG family as our Chief Happiness Officer! Born and raised in Honu-Lulu, with a Ph.D. in Snackology from UH Mānoa, Macs brought joy, fun, and plenty of snacks to our team throughout the year. He loves all of our delicious HHG products, dislikes turtlenecks (way too hot for Hawai‘i!), and his motto is “slow but steady wins the race.”
Investing in Local Manufacturing
2024 was a year of incredible innovation. With 15 new products launched and over 42 million products produced, our expanded Honolulu chocolate factory—thanks to a $12 million renovation—took our capabilities to new heights. This investment boosted production efficiency, preserved jobs in local manufacturing, and ensured we can deliver the quality our customers love.
Learning and Growing Together
We hosted monthly Lunch & Learns with insightful speakers and topics that sparked meaningful discussions. From James Clear’s strategies on building better habits to Michelle Wong, CMO of Sprinkles, sharing her expertise on leadership and collaboration, these sessions equipped our team with valuable tools for personal and professional growth. It was exciting to see team members exchanging ideas and applying new habits to drive success.
Community Impact and Giving Back
Giving back remains at the heart of our mission. In 2024, we donated over $200,000 to local charities and organizations, supporting causes like Aloha United Way, American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish, and other impactful initiatives that demonstrate the power of community. Being recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s Most Charitable Companies by Hawai‘i Business Magazine and receiving the Community Partner Award from the Arc of Hilo were testaments to our team’s commitment to create a brighter future for the Islands.
Our HHG Brand on the World Map
We launched an Instagram challenge with a simple goal: if we reached 10K followers in 10 days, “Boss Man” would take us to Disneyland. We achieved this goal in 2 days and then convinced Boss Man to dress up as a princess if we reached 100K followers in the remaining 8 days. At the end of the challenge, we had well over 300K followers and our community voted for Boss Man to dress up as Rapunzel (video recap here). The challenge put our HHG brand on the world map and became a defining moment of the year, showcasing the power of bold ideas, teamwork, and meaningful storytelling.
Celebrating The People Behind our Products
We hosted over 55 team culture events, including Employee Appreciation Day, Office Olympics, and our annual Halloween Costume Contest. These moments of camaraderie and creativity strengthened our team and highlighted the unique spirit that makes Hawaiian Host Group so special. In addition to these events, we welcomed 65 new team members across our locations, bringing fresh talent and perspectives to our growing team.
Supporting Hawai‘i’s Future
Just as important as preserving local jobs, is helping the future talent grow. No matter if it’s through guest lectures, keiki entrepreneur initiatives, or our founding couple’s Takitani Foundation (which grants scholarships to local deserving high school students), HHG supported, inspired, and engaged well over 1,000 students this year. Highlights included the Hawai‘i STEM Conference, where we engaged over 345 students from 33 schools, as well as our title sponsorship of Keiki Rise, an organization that helps young entrepreneurs (ages 12-18) to start and grow their business.
Celebrating the Holidays
This holiday season, our teams at the Alakawa Warehouse, Kapua Orchards, and Mauna Loa Facility came together for a blend of games like “Deck the Tree – Coworker Edition,” “Santa Says,” and karaoke, showcasing the creativity and camaraderie that define our company culture. These gatherings were more than just festive fun; they served as a vibrant celebration of the hard work our team dedicates year-round.
Looking Ahead
As we wrap up 2024, we extend our deepest gratitude to our team, partners, and supporters who made this year so impactful. Here’s to an even brighter 2025, filled with new milestones, stronger partnerships, and continued growth. Mahalo for being part of this incredible journey! 🌟
