The Office of the Governor's for the State of Hawaii elected BIAC as its "New Exporter of the Year" for 2002.  The following is excerpted from the Office of the Governor's Website (http://gov.state.hi.us/News/2002/02_110.htm):

New Exporter
Big Island Abalone Corporation
Mr. Michael Buchal, President
Sponsor: First Hawaiian Bank, Ms. Victoria M. Hasty, Assistant Vice President & Business Banking Officer

Big Island Abalone Corporation first "hatched" its research and development operation at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority in 1997. The success of this initial effort led to groundbreaking of a 10-acre abalone production facility at the Hawaii Ocean Sciences and Technology (HOST) Park at Keahole Point. By 2003, the farm is expected to have the potential production capacity to ship over 100 tons of live abalone to the world.

The key to its exporting success has been a great understanding of the potential of its product and target markets (primarily Japan and other Asian countries). One of the ways the company has shielded itself from market and price fluctuations has been by establishing its own sales force in Japan and by exploring non-traditional channels of distribution, including creating "omiyage" gift packs, utilizing home delivery services, as well as establishing live holding tanks in-country to further facilitate and expand distribution.