Learn to make lei wili

We are pleased to welcome Tevi Tolentino to the market on January 4 from 4 – 6 p.m. to demonstrate the art of lei wili (a style of lei making). Here's a bit about Tevi and how lei making has changed his life:


"At a young age I remember my tutu calling my sister and I to sit at the table with all the aunties to wili (a style of lei making), and she wouldn't let us leave the table until we finished.  Thats pretty much how it all began, but back then I didn't I realize it would be such a important part of my life on so many levels.   Although  I was exposed at a young age to lei making, I really didn't become immersed in the art until I started to dance hula, and it was that point that I had learned many things about my culture, and myself as a Hawaiian. I got to learn more as I mingled along side to the likings of Ainsley Halemanu, Randy Akau, Kamuela Kepo'o, Gina Gingao, Bill Char, and many more. Today, I work with many hula halau, pa'u units, florists, and private events as well.  I can remember my tutu telling me that making a lei is an extension of yourself, so the importance of being in a pono (of good or correct) state of mind was essential because the recipient could feel if it came from the heart or not - I could also remember that being so deep for me to understand at the age. Finally, I can say that its therapuetic value has been a source great healing, and I would recommend everyone to learn just for that reason alone."

This event is FREE and FAMILY-friendly, thanks to funding support from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Decorating with nature's beauties

We brought our popular "making natural holiday decorations" workshop to Makeke Kapolei on Thursday, December 13. Crafter and educator extraordinaire, Malia Lagaso, taught students and shoppers how to make simple to elegant decorations made out of things right from nature. Everyone got to make something special and take what they learned to inspire others. By using nature's materials, we can reduce waste and recycle materials that are safe for the environment.

Mahalo nui loa to Malia, the Hawaiian Electric Company, and the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center for making this program possible.

What can you do with cordage?

We had a great time with Mahi La Pierre, a Hawaiian cultural practitioner who makes tools and other implements. Many of the tools made use of cordage made in a variety of ways. Mahi taught many students who visited our booth from a Wai'anae after school program, as well as curious shoppers.

Mahalo nui loa to Mahi, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and Queen Lili'uokalani Childrens Center for assisting with this program made available free of charge.

Meet farmer Alice

Makeke Kapolei is happy to welcome Alice to our market. She brings farm-fresh produce that she grows herself at her farm in Wai'anae. And she follows organic principles, which makes so many people (and her plants) so happy!  Isn't her booth beautiful?  Please stop by and give her produce a try!

Make Natural Holiday Decorations at the Makeke

It's that time of the year when we get extra festive and sometimes extra wasteful. How about having nature provide all the materials you need for your holiday decorations and wrapping?

Come to Makeke Kapolei on Thursday, December 13, 4-6 pm for a special activity led by educator Malia Lagaso. She and her family have made it a tradition to make natural decorations out of nature's wonders.

This free hands-on presentation is made possible by donations from the Hawaiian Electric Company and the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center.

Live Christmas Trees for Sale

You've probably heard about the problems caused by importing Christmas trees . . . the slugs, insects, and now . . . frogs that are hitchhiking on the trees are not good for Hawaii's environment. A great alternative is to have a real tree that is grown in Hawai`i (and still growing)!

Buy your tree at Makeke Kapolei and use it year after year.  Trees available are 1' - 3' tall and cost only $7 - $12.  What a bargain that's good for the environment, too!

(These trees are available only during December.)

We're Closed One Day a Year . . .

  . . . and it's for Thanksgiving (November 22). Please enjoy your day of thanks with your 'ohana. We'll see you next week!

Learn to Make Braided Cordage

Join us on Thursday, December 6 (4-6 pm) to learn how to make braided or twisted cordage.  Cordage and rope was essential in almost every aspect of Hawaiian life. Come talk story with native Hawaiian artist Mahi La Pierre, try your hand at making cordage and see some modern versions of these items up close and personal.

This activity is free and family-friendly. It is made possible by a grant from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Making Ipu Pawehe

We were delighted to have Dalani Tanahy of Makaha come to Makeke Kapolei on November 1 to share her expertise on making ipu pawehe, or decorated gourds.  Dalani is a well-known Hawaiian artist who specializes in kapa (barkcloth) making as well as ipu pawehe. (She's also an awesome surfer!)  Mahalo nui loa to Dalani and to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement for making this Hawaiian cultural activity possible.

Gourds have many uses as vessels to carry things as well as decorative items.

Our customers tried their hand at decorating a gourd, which takes precision and patience. 

To make the final product, the gourd is filled with mud so that the color from the inside emerges on the outside. Isn't that so cool?

Our First Birthday Was a Blast!

Mahalo nui loa to all who came out to help us celebrate our 1st Birthday on October 25, 2012!  More than 1,500 people of all ages joined us for an afternoon full of activities, including home-grown entertainment, the popular petting zoo and pony rides, costume and booth decorating contests (just in time for Halloween), and prizes.  And of course, there was lots of shopping going on to support our local farmers and green businesses.

Georgette Stevens and her lovely daughter Keala entertained us, as they did one year ago.

Jorden Corpuz also delighted us with his singing and 'ukulele talent.

Zac was back with his composting worms!

We even had a free give-away of Ma'afala Ulu (breadfruit) trees!

The ponies were back to delight the children.

There were lots of kids in the house!

These dried tako, octopus, made nice displays.

The Malama Learning Center staff dressed up for the occasion. Can you guess what they represented?  (Hint: it had to do with the environment in distress.)

Uncle's Hawaiian Organics won the "best decorated booth" award.

Mahalo to Hawaiian Electric Company for donating shopping bags for our customers!

Yummy Cake Delights, Indeed!

Makeke Kapolei is happy to welcome Yummy Cake Delights as a new vendor.  Kathryn (Kat) Pajela is the owner and cake design artist for this company, which makes custom-made cakes, mini-cakes and cupcakes for birthdays, celebrations, weddings, and other events.

This is a sample cake that Kat can make for you. Isn't it adorable?

As a special treat, Kat will be giving a custom-made cake as a prize during Makeke Kapolei's 1st birthday celebration next week, October 25. Could you be the winner?  Come by and find out!

A Mayoral Proclamation for Makeke!

We're so pleased to have a Proclamation signed by the Mayor of Honolulu, Peter Carlisle, that designates October 25, 2012 as Makeke Kapolei Day!  Mahalo nui loa to Mayor Carlisle and his staff for supporting our market and our cause.

Ku'i Kalo Fun!

Mahalo to Anthony Deluze, kalo (taro) farmer and educator, for bringing a wonderful and hands-on display to Makeke Kapolei!  It was such a treat to see kalo being pounded, the old style, into pa'i'ai, which can then be made into poi. 

Children particularly enjoyed the activity, which looks easy but actually isn't to get the pa'i'ai to the right consistency.  But Anthony made sure they had fun!

Kalo is a primary staple of the native Hawaiian diet. All parts of the plant can be eaten in more than one way. Kalo also carries immense symbolism in Hawaiian culture and is a plant to be cared for now and into the future.

This presentation at Makeke Kapolei was made possible through generous funding from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

We Make 1 This Month!

Excitement is building for our 1st Birthday Party!  It will be held during the October 25 (Thursday) Makeke. Join us for tons of fun!  Free cupcakes for the 1st 100 customers!

Ku'i Kalo Coming to Makeke Soon!

If you are a kalo (taro) lover or are just curious about it, please come to Makeke Kapolei on Thursday, October 4 to see some ku'i kalo (taro pounding) in action to make delicious pa'i'ai. Anthony Kawika Deluze will be demonstrating this very useful craft and will even have tools for you to try it for yourself. Of course, there will be pa'i'ai to sample for free. 4-6 pm.

(Photo above is not of Anthony Kawika Deluze.)

We're on TV!  Ka'iulani de Silva, kapa artist, came to Makeke Kapolei a few months ago to share her expertise and warm touch with market-goers. Her story was captured on video with follow-up interviews. You can watch it here . . . or on TV on "Outside Hawai'i," OC16.  Mahalo nui loa to Ka'iulani for her generosity of time and talent, and to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement for making this video possible.
Kapa Making with Ka'iulani de Silva

Let the Hawaiian Games Begin!

Hawaiian games will be coming to Mākeke Kapolei this Thursday, Sept. 6 from 4-6 pm!  Thanks to the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club market goers will have a chance to play some traditional Hawaiian games enjoyed by royalty and commoners such as kōnane, paheʻe and ʻulumaika. These are fun, non-contact games that will delight children and adults.  

Participants will also have a chance to make simple games to take home.  This event is made possible by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Konane photo courtesy of DOE

You can now order boxes of organic veggies for pick up at Makeke Kapolei!

Video of Kapa Demo at Makeke Kapolei

We just found a great video of kumu kapa Ka'iulani deSilva filmed at Makeke Kapolei and thought we'd share it with you. Thank you to whomever took and edited the video!

Have you tried our delicious hibiscus iced tea? We make it out of organic dried hibiscus flowers. Now you can, too!  Get your flowers at Malama Learning Center's booth. We'll even give you the recipe!

Our story on Kahili making with Shad Kane is now airing on OC16's "Outside Hawai'i!"  Shad talks about what kahili are and what purpose they serve. He also describes the process of collecting feathers, including going all the way to Midway Atoll!  Watch Outside Hawai'i on channel 12 or 1012 during the following days and times:

Mon 12:00am, Wed 9:00pm, Thu 3:00am & 2:30pm, Fri 1:00pm, Sat 10:30am, Sun 6:00pm

If you live in Hawai'i, you should get your papayas and pineapples grown in Hawai`i!  You can do that (and more) at Makeke Kapolei every Thursday!

The Cows Have Come Home!

It's a pleasure to have Naked Cow Dairy as one of our vendors. They produce locally made butter, feta cheese, cream cheese, and yogurt -- all with unique and tasty flavors! The dairy is located in Wai'anae and is run by a great group of women, with the help of awesome men, too!

Asantae Java's Drinks Hit the Spot

It's pretty hot out there!  But with Asantae Java's drinks, you can quench your thirst with something healthy and cool.  Give it a try; you won't be disappointed!

Live Music at Makeke Kapolei

How many farmers' markets have live music performed by a marching band?  Perhaps only one -- Makeke Kapolei! 

Periodically, Makeke Kapolei has other local musicians and performers come by to entertain shoppers. If you'd like to perform, let us know!

Christine's Designs

One of our new vendors is Christine who makes beautiful hand-made jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. She uses shells, beads, glass, and other materials to make unique designs. Come by and visit her at the market to see her creations up close.

Lauhala Beauty

What a treat it was to have Mahina and Cheryl Pukahi (husband and wife team) from Wai'anae bring their beautiful hand-made lauhala treasures to Makeke Kapolei, and to teach us how to make something with our own hands. Many people came by to give it a try and take home a custom-made bracelet.

Here are some of the tools used to prepare the lauhala. The wooden box-like tool is used to cut the leaves into strips of even widths.

Here is a roll of lauhala, ready to be cut into strips.

And here are the show-stealers, honu!  (turtles!)  Aren't they so cute?!

Mahalo to the Pukahis for sharing their knowledge and skills with us, and mahalo to the Hawai`i Tourism Authority and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement for making this session possible.