Hawaii Island’s Gourmet Products is a family-owned company engaged in making different kinds of snack foods. The company is best known for its original Atebara chips.

History
Hawaii Island’s Gourmet Products was once known as The Atebara Chip Company, and was founded 75 years ago by Raymond Atebara of Hilo, Hawaii. Because of the popularity of the company’s flagship product, the Atebara Chip Company left a lasting impression to consumers. Even now, a number of consumers still refer to the company by its previous name.

In 1936, the company was first to produce Atebara chips and was first to market the product to local consumers. The Atebara Chip Company’s Products was also first to introduce Taro Chips, also known as Hawaiian Kalo. In the times of World War II,  there were not enough tomatoes for everybody and they were to be rationed off. Searching for alternatives, the Atebara family started using taro roots to make  chips. Thus began the beginning of the popularity of taro chips in Hawaii, as well as the popularity of The Atebara Chip Company.

Ten years after the business was established, the company’s factory was damaged by the Hilo tsunami, forcing the family to relocate and start again. In 1979, management of the company was passed down to Walter Atebara, Raymond’s son. Walter introduced new products, like shrimp-flavored chips and purple-sweet potato chips. These new products appealed to consumers and were added to the company’s permanent range of products.

In 2002, the company was acquired by the Tamimi family, and from then on the company became Hawai’i Island Gourmet. Hawai’i Island Gourmet stays true to its name by supporting Hawaii’s local economy, as well as its environment.

Under a new name and new ownership, the company introduced a variety of new products which included different varieties of  cookies, candies, chips, and flavoured nuts (mainly macadamia). The company also started creating gift baskets that contained an assortment of its products. Hawai’i Island Gourmet takes pride in having all its products created by hand. From its chips to its cookies, the company always makes sure to use only the freshest natural ingredients to ensure that the quality of the products are excellent.

Headquarters: Hilo, Hawaii
Ownership Type: Private
Employees: Information not available
Geography:USA
Demography:  Retail snack consumers

Brands/Banners
Hawai’i Island, Atebara Chips

Important links
Hawaii Island’s Gourmet Products Corporate Home Page
Products
Contact Information