Our Kaka'ako to celebrate SALT dedication with Hōkūle'a homecoming and Night + Market

Our Kakaʻako has teamed up with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Street Grindz to sponsor the free Hōkūleʻa homecoming event. The celebration will also commemorate the dedication of SALT at Our Kaka'ako and the return of Honolulu Night + Market with more than 40 retail and food vendors.

Jun. 9, 2017

Contributed by Mae Nishimura

Whether you’re a landlubber or sea dog, set your sights towards Our Kakaʻako and visit SALT next weekend to celebrate the homecoming of voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa! The mega block party slated for Saturday, June 17 from 5-10 PM will include ‘ono food, entertainment, Mālama Honua video highlights, and a special screening of Disney’s “Moana.”

Our Kakaʻako has teamed up with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and Street Grindz to mark the momentous occasion which will also commemorate SALT’s dedication and the return of Honolulu Night + Market.

“This past voyage is not just a milestone for the Hōkūleʻa but a milestone for the entire Hawaiian community,” said Sonja Swenson Rogers, the communications director for the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “This event is a special way to bring the community together to celebrate our collective accomplishments and to make those accomplishments visible to the world.”

After the June 17 Hōkūleʻa landing festivities at Magic Island, wayfind yourself to the Kamehameha Schools retail complex SALT at Our Kakaʻako at Auahi and Keawe streets where there will be a variety of live musicians, street performers, food trucks, retail vendors, and a Rance China fashion show.

Entertainment will include dynamic ʻukulele duo Honoka and Azita; Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Kupaoa, Waipuna, and Kapena; singer-songwriter Kimié Miner; and ʻukulele prodigy Taimane.

The dedication of SALT at our Kakaʻako will also recognize the hard work that has helped develop SALT into a community gathering place. Artists who have contributed towards the creation of SALT’s unique look will also be honored at the event, including POW! WOW! Hawaiʻi co-founder Kamea Hadar. Other recognized artists include Matthew James, Matt and Roxy Ortiz, Santiago Otani, and Kahiʻau Beamer.

“Our partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society encourages the enrichment of the lāhui Hawaiʻi, and it is an event like this that makes SALT and Our Kakaʻako an important facet in cultivating a strong Native Hawaiian identity,” said KS Commercial Real Estate Senior Asset Manager Gary Evora.

Attendees can also partake in the following promotions where a portion of the proceeds will support PVS.

Moku Kitchen: Dine between the hours of 5:00 – 10:00 p.m., and two percent of the sales will be donated to PVS.
Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room: Proceeds from the sale of the Kahiki beverage will be donated to PVS.
18|8 Men’s Salons: Purchase a service between the hours of 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., and 10 percent of the sales will be donated to PVS.

Visit the Honolulu Night + Market Facebook page for a list of vendors, parking instructions and updates on the event!

STRATEGIC PLAN 2020

SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS’ Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.

Goal 3 of SP2020 entails cultivating a strong Native Hawaiian identity through the utilization of KS’ cultural principles while Goal 4 supports the development of a mission-driven Native Hawaiian organization through effective external partnerships. It also supports Action 6 of Kamehameha’s Ten Actions for fiscal year 2016-2017 relating to adopting cultural principles on Pauahi’s lands. The event promotes Goal 3 by aligning KS assets with the cultural principles and Goal 4 by partnering with PVS, and other prominent Native Hawaiian organizations.

Chayla Nakamoto, who contributed this story, is a 2014 Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate serving as a communications intern with the Communications Group. She is a senior attending the University of Southern California where she will complete her bachelor of arts degree in English and is currently considering career options in publishing.

SALT at Our Kakaʻako Dedication Celebration featuring the Hōkūleʻa Homecoming and Honolulu Night+ Market

WHEN: June 17, 2017
5:00PM-10:00PM

WHERE: SALT at Our Kakaʻako
660 Ala Moana Boulevard

PARKING:
SALT Parking Structure located at 333 Keawe Street.
The Flats at Puʻunui located at 440 Keawe Street (enter on Pohukaina).

Visit http://www.honolulunightmarket.com/ for more details

The June 17 block party will feature ‘ono food, entertainment, Mālama Honua video highlights, and a special screening of Disney’s “Moana.”
Credit: Polynesian Voyaging Society

Kamea Hadar, who painted the distinctive Naupaka mural on SALT’s parking structure, will be honored alongside the other artists who contributed to SALT’s unique look.