HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - When you see Maui pineapples, you may think of a garnish for a cocktail or slices of them served on a platter.

Now the prickly fruit is taking on a much bigger role: becoming a part of a model for diversifying Hawaii’s economy.

“This is a really big game changer for us,” Maui Gold Pineapple CEO John White said.

The big change? More Maui Gold Pineapples are making their way to the mainland.

Amazon cargo planes are transporting about 1,800 pineapples in bulk each week from Maui to the mainland.

Sen. Glenn Wakai thought of the idea when he heard the company’s cargo planes that drop goods to Hawaii leave empty.

“So I approached Amazon saying nothing is unacceptable. Let’s fill them with locally made products,” Wakai said.

Pallets of pineapples, Wakai added, can reach New York and Miami in about 12 hours, which is four times quicker than usual.

“In addition to that, there’s a huge cost savings. Somewhere in the magnitude of 60 percent cost savings,” Wakai said.

Because shipping costs are a big barrier for Hawaii manufacturers trying to reach the mainland, Wakai sees Amazon as the ticket for local products to break the market.

“So it’s more than just what comes out of the ground or gets picked off a tree. We’re talking ukulele, fashion, cookies, all kinds of things that are manufactured in Hawaii,” Wakai said. “I think this is a huge game changer to help blossom Hawaii manufacturing and help us diversify away from tourism.”

White added, “We invite other farmers in Hawaii to tap in to this opportunity to send their products to their customers on the mainland.”

Wakai said he is planting the idea of shipping with Amazon to other local companies.

Amazon said it is continually seeking innovative ways to strengthen the communities they serve.

The company added its cargo capacity helps local businesses reduce costs, increase competitiveness, and expand their market reach.