Limu Identification with Uncle Henry Chang Wo and Wally Ito

Mākeke Kapolei has received a grant from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement to build awareness of, and respect and appreciation for, sustainable Hawaiian cultural practices among residents and visitors attending Mākeke Kapolei. In support of that goal Uncle Henry Chang Wo and Wally Ito taught shoppers how to identify native Hawaiian limu (seaweed) and invasive algae and discussed traditional (and some not so traditional) uses.  They also explained why we are losing our native limu resources and how we can all help. Wally even made a delicious limu salad (secret family recipe) and offered samples! Several people enjoyed tasting various types of raw limu.

Hawaiian Crafts and Hula Shared with Aloha

Students from Hālau ‘O Kaululauaʻe, led by kumu hula Mikiʻala Kanekoa, who is also a teacher at Kapolei High, spent a few hours teaching children from the community about making traditional kapa designs using modern methods. Children decorated t-shirts using bright colors and vivid designs.

Some children also learned how to make bags out of six-pack plastic bag rings to reinforce the concept of re-using and re-cycling.

At the end of the day, Hālau members danced for the children as a form of sharing what they love with their new friends. Hālau ‘O Kaululauaʻe is a hula school committed to maintain the knowledge and discipline of hula that has been carefully passed down from one hula generation to the next.  

Sun Powers the Market

Mākeke Kapolei is now powered by the sun! Sunetric, the largest and locally owned and operated full-service renewable energy firm in Hawai‘i is bringing its “Watt Wheels” mobile solar power station to the market to power the EBT machines, sound system, and lights.  Marko Joksimovic, an Energy Consultant with Sunectric, has been bringing the vehicle to the market for the past few weeks, much to the satisfaction of our staff and customers. The 12kWh batteries, powered up by the sun’s rays from three 230W PV panels atop the car, can provide enough energy for most of our needs. Sunectric provides this free service to community, charitable and educational groups to bring awareness about renewable energy. If you’d like to learn more about this service, come to our market on Thursday afternoons (3-6:30 pm) or call Sunectric at 262-6600 (ask for Laura Poirier).

Malama Learning Center's booth at Makeke Kapolei features natural and locally made soft drinks (minty lime-ade, hibiscus-infused iced team, Waialua sodas) and locally grown plants. It's a good place to come to quench your thirst and take in the beauty!

Akamai Worms a Regular Attraction

Mākeke Kapolei is pleased to have Akamai Worms as a regular vendor. Unlike most vendors at Mākeke Kapolei, Akamai Worms is run solely by a high school student, Laura McDowell, who is a senior in the Business Academy of Kapolei High. Laura learned about composting and vermicomposting (composting with worms) through her mother, Darlene Loo McDowell, who is a regular attendee of our monthly workshops. When she asked her mom what she could do to get younger people interested in recycling, she suggested vermicomposting.  “When I started my business, I told myself that I’m not going to do this for the money or popularity, but simply just to educate people and get them involved,” said Laura. She continued, “I hope that vermicomposting touches everyone like it has touched me.” Please visit Laura at her Akamai Worms booth and order a kit to get you started!

KHS Culinary Arts Program Serves the Market

Mākeke Kapolei is proud to partner with the culinary arts program of Kapolei High School.  You might see the students selling “one-bowl” meals at the market for a reasonable price. Led by teacher Cynthia Pratt, the program has had a number of noteworthy successes through cooking competitions (just like “Iron Chef”), as well as producing a cookbook called “From the Heart of Hawaii’s Families” with more than 180 recipes that focus on how Hawaii’s families weather challenging, difficult times and how they celebrate happy times. As of March 2012, over 1,200 cookbooks have been sold with 300 remaining. If you’d like a copy, please pick up a copy at the PCNC office at Kapolei High between 8 am and 4 pm ($15 cash, check or money order accepted) or send a check made out to “From the Heart of Hawaii’s Families” for $18 (book plus $3 postage) and mail to Kapolei High School, 91-5007 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI. Proceeds benefit Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children to expand/renovate its neonatal facilities.

Makeke Kapolei Grand Opening

GRAND OPENING OCTOBER 20 - 3:00-6:30 PM

Mahalo to all - vendors, entertainers, shoppers, and hard-working staff and volunteers - who came to the Grand Opening of Mākeke Kapolei! It was, indeed, a grand day with more than 800 people attending. The buzz of excitement was in the air, and the sounds of home-grown talent filled our ears.  More than 30 vendors shared their products and keiki participated in fun games as well as pony rides and petting zoos. Pickles the Cow and Smokey Bear also made guest appearances. In one word, WOW!

Auntie Nettie of Lanikuhonua began the afternoon with a Hawaiian blessing, gathering representatives from the three key partners - Kapolei High School, Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and Mālama Learning Center.

We couldn't have asked for a more talented emcee, Georgette Stevens, who serves on the board of Mālama Learning Center, and also sings, plays guitar, and performs with her daughter, Keala'iliahi, a spirited hula dancer. They performed several numbers that set the stage for more to come.

Other performers included students from the Performing Arts Center of Kapolei, American Renaissance Academy, Kapolei High School Polynesian Club, and Halau O Ka'ululau'ae. There was acting, singing, and dancing. It was non-stop, top-rate entertainment right from our own community of Kapolei!

There were many items to shop for, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, pickled vegetables, smoked meat and fish, hand-pounded pa'i'ai (kalo and 'ulu), natural home-made fruit/flower drinks, native plants, house plants, orchids, coconut peanut butter, vermiculture (worm composting) kits, organic coffee, hand-made jewelry, and more. There were also "zero waste" stations promoting the three R's: reduce, reuse, and recycle.  If it didn't get dark, we would've been out there for 3 more hours!

Though we won't be able to put on such an event every week, there will always be great shopping and a chance to meet new friends at Mākeke Kapolei.