Isle firm gets sweet partner Star-Bulletin staff An agreement between a big Hawaii packer and distributor of macadamia nuts and Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. will bring the San Francisco company's popular line of products to the islands. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. said it has signed a deal making it Ghirardelli's exclusive distributor for Hawaii. There is already a joint product on the Hawaii market, Mauna Loa nuts coated with Ghirardelli chocolate. Ghirardelli does not usually enter partnerships to go into new markets, but both parties felt the match of Mauna Loa and Ghirardelli was ideal for Hawaii, said Terry Inglett, president of Mauna Loa Hawaii. "We will quickly bring the complete line of chocolates, gifts, assortments and baking products to the people of Hawaii," Inglett said. Ghirardelli was recently acquired by a Swiss chocolate maker, Lindt de Spriingli AG.