What is HiSTEP?

Funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program, known as HiSTEP, is a comprehensive program designed to assist Hawaii small businesses with their export development. The goal is to increase the number of small businesses that want to export as well as the value of exports for those small businesses that currently export. Today it is easier than ever for companies, regardless of size, to sell goods and services across the globe and this program can help achieve that.

HiSTEP has three integrated components:

1. Export Readiness Program (HiSTEP-ERP): The Export Readiness Program (HiSTEP-ERP) is a training and advising program to prepare Hawaii companies to begin or expand their export market development. The program includes one-on-one export business advising and export training seminars. HiSTEP-ERP is open to all types of businesses considering exporting. At the conclusion of the program, companies will have a go-to-market strategy and export plan. View the current list of seminars scheduled for the HiSTEP program here.
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2. Market Entry and Expansion Activities (MEEA) (Formerly HiSTEP-HP): Market Entry and Expansion Activities (MEEA), Formerly Hawaiʻi Pavilions (HiSTEP-HP), is a program that creates opportunities for Hawaiʻi companies to sell in overseas markets, either through digital platforms or via in-person trade and consumer shows.
   
   Interested companies should first register for HiSTEP.
   
   MEEA trade and consumer shows include but are not limited to:
   
   
   • FOODEX Japan
   • Hankyu Hawaii Fair
   • Natural Products Expo West
   • Tokyo International Gift Show
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3. Company Assistance (HiSTEP-CA): The Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program – Company Assistance (HiSTEP–CA) is designed to increase exports of Hawaii produced goods and services by assisting individual Hawaii companies  with export market development activities such as participation in trade shows and missions.

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HiSTEP is supported by a grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

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The 2024 HiSTEP Registration is now open. Please fill out the 2024 HiSTEP Registration Form.

‍‍There is no cost to register and no obligation to participate in any of the HiSTEP activities. Once registered, you will be paired with one of our HiSTEP partners for an initial consultation. You only need to fill it out once, but we use other online forms for all HiSTEP activities.

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Read more about HiSTEP:

• Benefits
• Eligibility
• How to Prepare
• Registration

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HiSTEP Resources

• E-Commerce Resources
• Japanese Service Providers
• E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Service Providers
• Patent & Trademark Resource Center
• HiSTEP Past Seminars
• Export Financing Solutions
• Join the Resource List to Support Hawaii Companies

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CONTACT AND INFORMATION REQUESTS

Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Business Development & Support Division

Address:

No. 1 Capital District Building
250 South Hotel Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Phone: (808) 587-2750