Kēōkea Farmers Market Features Hot Malassadas

Aunty Kahilihiwa Kipapa (clockwise from front) reunites with Maile Keawe and mom Iwa Keawe at last Saturday’s Kēōkea Farmers Market. A prized market product is meeting neighbors in a serene rural setting at the Malalani, or “heavenly garden” site. Paʻupena Community Development Corp. photo.

Warm malassadas are among the fresh items available at Saturday’s Kēōkea Farmers Market.

Kēōkea farmer Hiʻilei Martinson sells the pastries at the market open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through at least April 27, at the Malalani garden site to the left of Grandma’s Coffee House, at Mile 16.7 of Kula Highway.

Martinson offers more homemade items including: honey-oat bread, banana bread, līlīkoʻi and starfruit jams, māmaki tea and colorful quilts.

Other Upcountry food and crafts vendors include John Pollock who sells unique jackfruit, pico de gallo and pate, fruit leathers and fresh produce.

“Musicians are welcome to kanikapila,” or play instruments and sing backyard-jam style, event coordinator Alika Akana said.

For vendor-fee information, call or text 554-4221 or email keokeamarketplace@gmail.com. Spaces are available for 10-by-10-foot booths and two food trucks, Akana said.

The host Kēōkea Homestead Farm Lots Association is a nonprofit representing Maui’s only agricultural homestead. The latter encompasses 65 two-acre lots dedicated to sustainable, subsistence farming. The group also will present the annual Hoʻolauleʻa and Da Taste of Kēōkea culinary fest on July 13, followed by Holiday Crafts at Kēōkea on Sept. 28.