Molokai at Merrie Monarch

The 61st Merrie Monarch Festival kicked off on March 31 in Hilo. A hui of Molokai small businesses made the trip over to join in on the celebration of Hawaiian arts. Supported by a $30,000 grant from the Maui County Office of Economic Development, Ho’aka Mana and the second cohort of the Pulauhala small business accelerator program were some of the Molokai businesses who set up shop at the festival. This group included Ishay Kaholoaa of Kahului Designs and Taste of Molokai, Mokihana Paleka of Po’o Hala, Karlie Rose Kalama of Little Learning Keiki, Aulani Herrod of Pailolo Designs, Keoni Perkins of KP Artwork, Courtney Galam of Da Greenthumb, Kauluna’e Hamakua of Kaulu Farms, and Kanoe Davis of PoMahina Designs.…