Lahaina News
HAIKU, MAUI - Maui Mayor Alan M. Arakawa took an Upcountry
trip to visit Noni Biotech International LLC headquarters and R&D
laboratory on Friday, May 4.
The mayor was joined by Maui County Office of Economic
Development Coordinator Teena Rasmussen, Maui County Environmental Coordinator
Robert Parsons, Maui Economic Development Board Program Director Tom Liu, and
Mimi Hu, CPA, principal partner of Levin & Hu LLP.
The visit began with a tour of the company research
lab led by Noni Biotech's Director of Research Paul Nordone.
Nordone gave Arakawa and other visitors a glance at
some of Noni Biotech's research strategies, as well as a sampling of some of
the company's new products in development.
Noni Biotech International currently exports 100
percent pure Hawaiian noni products and ingredients to over 50 countries under
the brand names Noni Maui and Maui Noni.
Their achievements have not gone without exceptional
recognition.
In 2011, the company received the prestigious
Presidential "E" Export Award for excellence in exporting, in
addition to being selected as finalists in the APEC Statewide Business
Innovation Showcase in September 2011. Mayor Arakawa presented the award during
the ceremony hosted at the Sister Cities Summit in Waikiki.
"We feel very honored that Mayor
Arakawa took the time to come and visit us. It shows how much he is paying
attention to the growth of small businesses in his county," said Marie
Laure Ankaoua.
