As part of a unique collaboration between three kama‘āina organizations including Kamehameha Schools, the Koʻolauloa Farmers Market will hold its grand opening on Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Punalu’u Ahupuaʻa Farms (53-270 Kamehameha Hwy., across from Punaluʻu Beach Park). The farmers market will be held the second and fourth Saturday of each month through Sept. 28.
The Koʻolauloa Farmers Market is the first of its kind to serve Windward O‘ahu from Kahaluʻu to Kahuku. It will feature fresh produce grown by farmers in Punaluʻu Valley on agricultural ‘āina stewarded by KS. The market will also include family activities, food and entertainment.
Koʻolauloa Health Center organized the farmers market with grant funding from the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA).The partnership is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the lāhui.
“I had organized a work day to clear hau trees from an overgrown loʻi in Punaluʻu Valley,” said KS Land Asset Manager Joey Char. “One of the volunteers amid the chain saws, noise and dirt was Moani Wright-Van Alst, a communications resource manager for HMSA. I mentioned wanting to launch a farmers market. She said, ‘I know someone you need to meet.’”
That someone was Jen Awakuni, senior program manager for HMSA.
“Our purpose at HMSA is to improve the lives of our members and the health of Hawai‘i,” said Awakuni. “Caring for our families, friends and neighbors is our privilege. Having this farmers market available to the community allows us to do just that. Koʻolauloa Health Center was ready to do it. Kamehameha Schools had the farmers and land. Introducing them just made sense.”
“Together, our three organizations can accomplish so much more than we could on our own,” said Terrence Aratani, CEO of Koʻolauloa Health Center. “Native Hawaiians comprise 40 percent of our patients diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or obesity. We want to do our best to not only improve the quality of life for our Native Hawaiian population, but for all in our region. Through this strong partnership, we want our community to have access to healthy, affordable food. We’re looking forward to a wonderful farmers market.”
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native hawaiian identity,partnering for success
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