FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Mākeke is back! Fresh Produce and Green Market opens in Kalaeloa Town

Kapolei, HI – On Tuesday, September 10th – Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) and ‘Elepaio Social Services, in partnership with Hunt Companies Hawai‘i, are proud to introduce Mākeke at Kalaeloa Town, a farmers’ and green market that will be held every second Tuesday of the month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kalaeloa Professional Center (91-1010 Saratoga Avenue).

Fresh produce from local farmers in our West O‘ahu community will be featured at Mākeke at Kalaeloa Town. There will also be poi, prepared foods, and live entertainment.


WCCHC and ‘Elepaio Social Services have a two-fold mission with their Mākeke:

1) Provide local families with produce and other products as close to their community as possible.
2) Elevate and encourage cultural practices.

The Mākeke at Wai‘anae was the first Mākeke, and the first farmers’ market on the island to accept Hawai‘i State food-assistance program benefits (EBT, SNAP and WIC). ‘Elepaio Social Services also previously championed the Mākeke on Thursdays at Kapolei High School, which was open for seven years until it closed in 2019. The Mākeke at Kalaeloa Town will be the first farmers’ market and green market under the Mākeke name to open in the Kapolei region since the pandemic.

Why the Mākeke matters:

• Food insecurity remains a significant issue in Hawai‘i, with an estimated 1 in 3 people struggling with hunger, according to recent data from the Hawai‘i Foodbank.
• West O‘ahu experiences economic hardship and food insecurity at a higher rate than much of the state.
• By integrating farmers markets and food distribution, WCCHC & ‘Elepaio Social Services are trying to meet the immediate food and nutritional access needs and long-term health outcomes.

“At the heart of our Mākeke is a commitment to equity, community, and sustainability. By enabling our local food producers to accept SNAP, SNAP doubling, and WIC, we directly enhance our community's access to fresh, local, and nutritious produce and proteins. This, in turn, helps to cultivate a more resilient and equitable food system. This market is more than just a place to buy fresh produce—it's a space where we can actively work to dismantle the barriers that prevent access to healthy, nutritious food for all,” says Alicia Higa, Executive Director of ‘Elepaio Social Services and Chief Health Equity Officer of WCCHC.

Earlier this year, Hunt introduced its 530 acres as Kalaeloa Town – a vibrant community for local families and businesses that is built for the future yet honors the area’s rich heritage.

“We are thrilled to introduce this first Mākeke to the residents and businesses in Kalaeloa Town,” shared Kathleen Iriarte, Assistant Development Manager at Hunt Companies Hawai’i. “Not only will the market make produce and other fresh foods accessible right in their neighborhood, we envision Mākeke at Kalaeloa Town becoming a regular gathering place to see neighbors and friends.”

The first Mākeke at Kalaeloa Town will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kalaeloa Professional Center. The Mākeke at Kalaeloa Town will start off with approximately 15 vendors, including Kahumana Organic Farms, MP Farms, Makaha Valley Farm, and Neha's Kitchen.

For more information visit https://wcchc.com/makeke and a for a detailed list of monthly vendors, visit the Mākeke farmers market’s social media pages (Facebook and Instagram): @MakekeFarmers

ABOUT WAIANAE COAST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTER:

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) is O‘ahu’s largest federally qualified health center, founded in 1972. With a 52-year history of providing accessible, quality, and affordable healthcare, WCCHC remains committed to bringing quality healthcare within reach of everyone in the Wai‘anae coast and adjacent communities in the West O‘ahu region. For more information, visit wcchc.com.


ABOUT ‘ELEPAIO SOCIAL SERVICES:

`Elepaio Social Services (ESS), is a wholly owned nonprofit corporation of the Waianae District Comprehensive Health and Hospital Board, Inc., that functions as a counterpart to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) in providing much needed Social Services to the economically disadvantaged community of Wai‘anae and surrounding communities of West O‘ahu. Established in November 2020, ESS has worked alongside WCCHC in responding to the critical community need for access to vital wrap around social services.