Beat the Heat at the Kēōkea Hoʻolauleʻa this Weekend

Kēōkea Homestead Open Market from 2014, featuring fresh produce, crafts, food and entertainment. Photo courtesy: Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

By Maui Now Staff

“Hele mai” (come) to this weekend’s Kēōkea Hoʻolauleʻa. The second-annual event unfolds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 5 at the Kēōkea Marketplace. You’ll find that at Mile Marker 17 along Kula Highway.

Event organizers invite attendees to escape from this Indian-summer heat to the cool vistas and unique arts, crafts, foods and entertainment of Upcountry Maui.

Four dozen vendors range from homesteader Norman Abihai demonstrating the carving of papa kuʻiʻai, or poi-pounding boards, to Sandy Pulahi hand-weaving the popular lei poʻo, or head lei. Offerings include Hana steel “lava heat” mugs, Kēōkea coffee and honey, the best-selling smoked-meat plate, Portuguese bean soup, Hawaiian plate, and kalbi beef.

Aunty Kipapa selling her fruits and vegetables in Kēōkea over Labor Day in 2014. Courtesy image

Admission is $1, with keiki 12 and under free, plus family rates for `ohana of six or more. Proceeds benefit the host, nonprofit Kēōkea Homestead Farm Lots Association.