Kaua‘i APEC finalists chosen

LIHU‘E — The Asian-Pacific  Economic Cooperation Hawai‘i Host Committee announced Tuesday it has chosen 35 businesses as finalists for the APEC 2011 Hawai‘i Business Innovation Showcase.

The finalists — six from the Big Island, three from Kaua‘i, six from Maui and 20 from O‘ahu — will receive a Recognition of Excellence award from their respective county.

Kaua‘i County’s finalists are: Aqua Engineers for water and waste water management, Malie for spa and beauty products made of only indigenous and local plants and florals, and TREX Enterprises for optical and structural components from proprietary TREX CVC SRC.

The Host Committee will choose a winner from each county and one statewide winner on Sept. 6. Selected businesses will receive recognition through various APEC 2011 programs, such as vendor booths, and international media opportunities.

The Business Innovation Showcase “provides an unprecedented opportunity for businesses … to showcase innovation in products and services to an international audience during APEC 2011 Leaders’ Week, and will recognize leading edge innovation and achievement in Hawai‘i’s business community,” a press release states.

The criteria used to select the winners involve potential attractiveness to APEC member markets and economies, innovation, product development, technology, impact on Hawai‘i’s business environment, growth, investment and environmentally sound programs and practices.

Honolulu will host APEC 2011 Leaders’ Week between Nov. 7 and 13. The Leaders’ Meeting, held Nov. 12 and 13, is expected to attract 20,000 attendees, including leaders from APEC member economies, ministers, business leaders and international news media.

Visit apec2011hawaii.com for additional information, including a complete list of finalists from each island.