In September 2021 we were awarded a multi-year award from the US Department of Health and Human Service & the federal agency, Administration for Native Americans to move forward with the Mahalo No Ka Mea Ai Culture-based Farmer’s Market!

For the past 4 months, producers, value-added product & art/craft vendors, and cultural practitioners have been meeting at the Hoʻomana Thrift Store in Wailua, planning & training to “roll out”, MAHALO MARKET. The ANA Grant provides us funding to assist with marketing & product development. We also provide the location, tables, tents, training in food & safety, etc. Finally, we are working with Hoʻomana to renovate a space that can be used by vendors & farmers as an office for official Farmerʻs Market business at no cost.

We named the farmerʻs market, MAHALO MARKET to honor the Hawaiian value of gratitude. We are using the concept of MAHALO as a culture-based strategy to build resilience with individuals, family’s, and communities experiencing hardship due to generational poverty and more recently CV19. MAHALO continues to be our Hui mantra as we look forward to welcoming the community to this unique, culture-based, farmerʻs market, featuring Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander produce, value-added products, & our Polynesian Culture.

Produce discounts will be offered to families experiencing hardships to encourage. Everyone is welcome to buy fresh produce, take advantage of social & community service providers, & learn Hawaiian culture! We are still taking applications for farmers/ vendors at MAHALO MARKET. Please feel free to reach to Kamealoha Hanohano Pa- Smith, HRHF Program Administrator at 808-212-4356 or email at khs96703@gmail.com Imua kākou! (Picture: Vegetables from Linʻs Farm in Līhuʻe fofamilies experiencing hardships, distributed on Fridayʻs at the Hoʻomana Outreach Event)