HONOLULU -- "Cyber Monday" was the unofficial kickoff for the online holiday retail season. Retailers said they have been ramping up deals anticipating the weakest season in years.

Employees at Island Heritage said they got some positive economic news Monday. Online orders were up nearly 50 percent from the same time last year which was the opposite of what they said they expected.

"Cyber Monday" is the name given to the Monday after Thanksgiving. It is the day when holiday shoppers hit the Internet hunting for bargains.

Theresia Howe, vice president of sales and marketing at Island Heritage, said she expected a slow weekend.

"We weren't really anticipating any huge growth this cyber Monday because the last two years have been pretty flat," Howe said. "We think cyber Monday is blown out of proportion. It has more to do with the timing of how long they can get their packages before Christmas," Howe said.

Online retailers have been ramping up heavy duty deals hoping to turn skittish shoppers into buyers.

"Just with the economy in general it's been pretty tough out there in all of our business. We're really fortunate to have some retail partners but everybody's trying really hard to provide the customers with something new and exciting," Howe said.

Ninety percent of the online orders for Island Heritage come from the mainland. In October, they launched a new Web site.

The company is offering free shipping with a $200 purchase.

Island Heritage said they saw a 48 percent increase in online sales from Sunday night to Monday morning.

Mardy Akuna is the production coordinator. She said she had a busy day wrapping gift baskets full of island flavors. She said she's optimistic the surge will continue.

"Well I hope we get more orders in so that will be a plus for us," Akuna said.

In the warehouse, the elves at Island Heritage are working hard to get the orders delivered in time for Christmas.

Experts said this year the most likely candidate for busiest online spending day is Monday Dec. 15 as consumers rush to make sure gifts can be shipped in time for Christmas.

As for online deals shoppers can sign up for e-mail sale alerts from your favorite stores.