Christmas Craft Fair Will Highlight Area Small Businesses

Hawaii Maoli hosts its Christmas Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Prince Kuhio Community Center in Kapolei.

With an emphasis on promoting small businesses from the West Oahu area, the fair will feature more than 40 vendors. Some of the area-based products will include shell and pearl jewelry by Christine’s Designs, various arts and crafts by Crafts by Uluwehi and clothes and accessories by Mirror Mirror.

In addition to crafts, the fair will feature food booths and live entertainment. Food vendors include Keoni’s Smoked Meat, and Treats by Rosie, which features mocha drinks, cupcakes and bread.

Hawaii Maoli is a nonprofit that was established in 1997 by members of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs to provide guidance to the clubs, act as an advocacy group and perpetuate traditional Native Hawaiian values. The group is based at Prince Kuhio Community Center.

“Several visionary civic club members saw a nonprofit organization as a way to support the individual civic clubs and the association as they executed their programs,” explained Hawaii Maoli executive director Maile Alau.

This craft fair is an extension of Hawaii Maoli’s Open Market, which occurs once a month. Following the craft fair, the Open Market will continue on the second Saturday of each month beginning in February.

In addition to its Open Market, Hawaii Maoli also has a hand in organizing a range of events that include an annual fundraising dinner and the Prince Kuhio Festival, which is hosted by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. The organization also has a computer resource and business services center that is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Prince Kuhio Community Center is located at 91-1270 Kinoiki St. near the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands building.

For more information, call 394-0050 or visit hawaiimaoli.org.