This is the only island state and the southernmost state in the United States. Hawaii started out as a primitive but economically sufficient and ecologically sustainable society until the introduction of new crops and there started to be massive commercial plantation. Manufacturing also became a big deal as time went on.

The processing of agricultural products has been the leading industry in Hawaii since the large-scale development of sugarcane and pineapple plantations. Although there has been considerable diversification since the 1940s, raw sugar, pineapples, beef, and other foodstuffs still account for one-third of the income generated by industry. Manufacturing was formerly confined mostly to the Honolulu area but has now been extended to other islands.

Hawaii is not much of a big state. There are about 1.43 million people in the state and this quite some population. The island produces quite a lot in food but there are essential products that have to be imported into the state.

Just like every other American state, there are essentials that are needed daily by Americans. Food, shelter, toiletries, clothes, electronic gadgets, transportation, and a whole lot of essentials are needed by the average human being for existence in the 21^stcentury world.

The retail trade is one that connects directly to the consumers. It is the trade that lays emphasis on how to get the consumer to get the product from a particular retailer and to establish a relationship with that retailer. However, a retailer, most times, does not get the goods directly from the manufacturers or get the goods produced herself. There is the existence of the retail distributor in the supply chain.

Retail distributors are essential links in the supply chain. When manufacturers produce their products, they need distribution for the product. There are several situations where the manufacturer does the distribution to retailers. This is direct store delivery. However, not all manufacturers have the capacity to do their own distribution to retail outlets. For instance, a new brand still seeking market recognition does not have a name in the market and will need to be significantly promoted and pushed. A retail distributor can do a better job of getting the product to several hundred or even thousands of stores.

With about 20% of the working population in the state of Hawaii into retail and wholesale trade, there is an impressive amount working in the supply chain. However, there is more to the supply chain than the number involved. There are general goods everyone is interested in but there are specialized products like adult goods, sports goods, smoking goods, and some others.

There are established, retail distributors. The Islander Group is one. The retail distributor connects and delivers to over 1000 stores and has delivered more than 6000 products statewide.

The Rainbow Sales and Marketing is also a retail distributor that has been serving the retail food industry since 1968. It also performs brokerage services of connecting food products manufacturers to retail outlets and food merchants.