Kokua Market celebrates 50th anniversary
Saturday, Oct. 23 brings the start of a three week-long celebration of Hawaii’s oldest natural foods cooperative.
Billed as a celebration of Kokua Market’s 50 years-long legacy of thought and practice leadership in sustainable food systems, there will be prepared food, bakery, produce and gift product specials as well as discounts.
Kokua Market is a quirky mash-up of farmers market, bake sale, pot-luck in a community-owned Moiliili mom-and-pop-esque grocery. It supports small farms and producers by connecting them to retail shoppers in a way other larger grocery chains cannot. Since 1971 Kokua Market has taught people how to eat healthier and more sustainably.
In-store specials and gifts with purchase will be available daily between October 23 and November 6.
Special partners and events will be featured from 10-2pm on the three Saturdays, October 23rd, 30th and November 6th. Makana Provisions will be grilling local meats grilling from 11-2pm each Saturday.
On Sundays, October 24th, 31st and November 7th, Kokua’s deli will feature pop-up Korean guest chef Helen Jung and her traditional Korean fare.
Special themes include “Sustainable Saturday†on October 23rd with tutorials and vermicast for sale by Mindy Jaffe’s Zero Waste School Hui, a potted plant sale, local I’a and gluten-free treats from Puuwai Aloha Bakery.
On October 30th there will be prizes for a noon costume contest, Wolf’s Cutting Edge knife sharpening service, beautiful items from longtime Moilili neighbor Tutuvi and Kokua tote bags for your sustainable trick-or-treater. Courtyard musical artists include acoustic guitarist Dallan Santos and John Kema.
The final Saturday, November 6th,  will bring “50 years of Local,†featuring a special fundraiser dinner by Makana Provisions and a spotlight on Kokua’s “Good Egg Partners†– just a few of the many farms and producers that were incubated and got their retail start at Kokua – Mohala Farms, Aina Bars, and Mrs. Cheng’s Tofu. Courtyard musical artists include acoustic guitarist Dallan Santos and John Kema.
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Kokua Market is located at 2643 South King Street and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.. There is parking behind the store off Kahuna Lane.