People
Lehuanani Kanahele
Creator/Founder/Host & Social Media Marketing
Natasha Kanahele
Sign-Up Coordinator
Shardae Racoma
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Mana Kahana’oi Maikai
Entertainment Coordinator
About Us
'O Pu’uhonua Mākeke
Pu’uhonua Mākeke is more than just a market; it is a sanctuary for Native Hawaiian artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs to share their culture, crafts, and values with the community and beyond.
The name “Pu’uhonua” translates to “place of refuge” in Hawaiian, symbolizing a safe and supportive environment where vendors and customers alike can come together to celebrate and sustain Hawaiian traditions.
Up-Coming Events
December 7, 2024
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January 18, 2025
February 15, 2025
March 15, 2025
Connect & Cheers with us
A Modern Ahupua‘a
in todays Society
Here's our story
Our Purpose
1. Cultural Preservation: We aim to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture by providing a space for Native Hawaiian artisans and cultural practitioners to share their knowledge, skills, and traditions with others. Through the market, we ensure that these practices continue to thrive and evolve in a modern world.
2. Economic Empowerment: By offering a venue for Native Hawaiians to sell their products directly to consumers, Pu’uhonua Mākeke supports the economic well-being of our community. This not only fosters entrepreneurship but also helps sustain local families and small businesses, ensuring that the wealth generated stays within the community.
3. Community Building: Pu’uhonua Mākeke is a place of connection. It brings together po’e from all parts of the mokupuni to engage in meaningful exchanges, learn from one another, and strengthen the bonds that tie us to our ʻohana (family) and ʻāina (land).
4. Healing and Wellness: Our market is an extension of the holistic approach to health and well-being that is central to Hawaiian culture. From lāʻau lapaʻau (traditional medicine) to organic produce and sustainable products, many products offered at Pu’uhonua Mākeke is rooted in the principles of healing our pikos;body, mind, and spirit.
The story of Pu’uhonua ‘o Waimānalo is one of resilience and revival. It began as a sovereign movement led by many of our elders who sought to protect the land from development and ensure that it would remain a sanctuary for Native Hawaiians. Over the years, our community has worked tirelessly to cultivate a self-sustaining environment, where traditional farming, healing practices, and cultural education are at the forefront.
Pu’uhonua ‘o Waimānalo stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring strength of Hawaiian culture. It is a place where the knowledge of the past meets the needs of the present, and where the community’s vision for the future is continuously nurtured. The establishment of Pu’uhonua Mākeke is a natural extension of this mission, offering a space for Native Hawaiians to share their gifts with the wider community while supporting the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Waimānalo’s unique cultural and natural resources.
The Story Behind Pu’uhonua ‘o Waimānalo
Pu’uhonua ‘o Waimānalo is a community born out of the desire to reclaim and restore the land, culture, and dignity of the Hawaiian people. Located on the island of Oʻahu, Waimānalo has long been a place where ‘ohana and mālama ʻāina (care for the land) thrives.
A Modern Ahupua‘a: Trading and Bartering at Pu‘uhonua Mākeke
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Pu‘uhonua Mākeke embodies a modern interpretation of the traditional Hawaiian ahupua‘a system, a land division that extended from mauka to makai and supported a self-sustaining community. In the ahupua‘a, resources were shared and exchanged among the people, ensuring that everyone had what they needed to thrive.
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At Pu‘uhonua Mākeke, we carry forward this ancient practice into the present day. Our market operates as a contemporary ahupua‘a, where trading and bartering are encouraged alongside traditional buying and selling. This system not only preserves the cultural heritage of our ancestors but also fosters a deep sense of community and interconnectedness.
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Here, vendors and customers alike are invited to engage in exchanges that go beyond monetary transactions. Whether it’s bartering fresh produce for handmade crafts, or trading knowledge and skills, the mākeke offers a space where the values of reciprocity, sustainability, and mālama (care) are central to every interaction.
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By reviving the principles of the ahupua‘a in a modern context, Pu‘uhonua Mākeke serves as a bridge between the past and the future, honoring the wisdom of our kūpuna while adapting to the needs of today’s community. This approach not only strengthens the economic foundation of our market but also reinforces the social and cultural ties that make Pu‘uhonua Mākeke a true place of refuge and renewal.
How It All Started
Pu‘uhonua Mākeke has its roots in a small, humble beginning. In 2021, I started my business, Kanahele Roots, purely for fun, selling starter plants and fresh farm eggs from my home. What began as a simple venture soon blossomed into something much greater when I discovered the benefits of sea moss gel and began making it to share with others. This new product opened doors for me, leading to my first market experience in November 2021.
As I participated in that market, I realized the power of community and the potential for growth when Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs come together. I connected with many other kanaka businesses, learning from their experiences and sharing our collective knowledge. These relationships inspired me to create a space where we could all thrive together.
Fueled by this vision and a deep desire to support my fellow Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs, I organized our very first Pu‘uhonua Mākeke in April 2022. What started as a small gathering of like-minded vendors quickly grew into a thriving market, where cultural values, economic empowerment, and community spirit converge.
Since that first mākeke, we have continued to grow, welcoming more vendors and customers into our ‘ohana. Each market is a celebration of our shared heritage, a place where we uplift one another and keep our traditions alive. Pu‘uhonua Mākeke is not just a market; it is a movement, born out of a simple idea and nurtured by the strength of our community.
