Local company leads way in revitalization

Recently, Hawaiian Natural Water Co. signed a deal to provide bottled water to one of Thailand's biggest consumer products distributors, Saha Pathanapibul Public Co.

The Hawai`i company obtains pure water from a well at the base of Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island and bottles it for sale throughout the U.S. and overseas. This promotes Hawai`i as a source of exotic goods and place it in the consciousness of the developing Thai economy.

Many other industries could benefit from the connection to Hawai`i as well.

Banks, for example, could market credit cards on the Mainland with great success, attracting attention through their ties to the local economy. With Diamond Head on the front, Hawai`i would be marketed as a vacation destination at the same time.

Jellies and jams (guava as well as other flavors) would be a great export to send to Japan, considering its history of faddish consumerism and close ties to Hawai`i.

By seeking out join venture partners in other countries, we could take advantage of the qualities that make Hawai`i attractive, without increasing our reliance on tourism.