The Life in Business: Ho‘oulu Community Farmers Market

About three years ago, the Keauhou Beach Resort asked Kumu Keala Ching if he could help to bring the community of Kona to the resort. The kumu hula and Hawaiian cultural teacher introduced several programs and events to educate the community about the cultural sites of Keauhou.

“Kumu Keala also wanted to help our local farmers by operating a farmers market on the resort grounds,” says Gail Smith, who, along with her husband Greg, manage the market. “It took almost an entire year to open Ho’oulu Community Farmers Market at the Royal Lū’au Gardens of the Keauhou Beach Resort in November 2010. The Royal Lū‘au Gardens are located right on the ocean and it is a beautiful landscaped venue to hold a market.”

Ho’oulu in Hawaiian means “to grow.”  “We opened the market with the goal that all items must be made on the island or grown on the island,” Gail explained.

“Our market is on Wednesdays, and we try very hard to get the word out to the local community,” said Kumu Keala. “We have established a regular, local clientele now and quite a few returning snowbirds and tourists during the last year-and-a-half. It is a great place to come have lunch, meet the farmers and shop for produce and gifts.”

The market has a true local flavor. It sells only locally-grown and locally-made items, and it supports the local community as well as Nā Wai Iwi Ola, a non-profit 501c3 foundation.

Market Managers Greg and Gail Smith also operate Earth Matters Farm, and they offer a wide range of produce grown at their Ocean View farm. Rolinda Bean, cultural advisor and market liaison with Keauhou Beach Resort, is also associated with Kumu Keala Ching and Nā Wai Iwi Ola.

Some of the features you’ll find at Ho‘oulu Community Farmers Market include locally grown sweetcorn, local music, estate coffee vendors, mac nut products, tropical fruits,  exotic local desserts, skin care products made here, healthy and delicious lunches, locally handcrafted items and art.

The Ho’oulu Community Farmers Market happens every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort on Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona.

Vendor Info: Contact Gail Smith  at gailandgreg@mac.com
808.939.7510
HoouluFarmers@gmail.com
Hooulufarmersmkt.com