Eat, Dance, Love at the Aloha Ahiahi Makeke

Photo by Léo Azambuja

By Léo Azambuja
As the sun was getting ready to set for the day, a talented set of musicians, artists and chefs welcomed locals and visitors to what felt like a party at an old friend’s backyard in the heart of Kaunakakai.
“It’s an evening market where vendors can come and have their products, and we have lots of good music,” Ella Canencia said of the inaugural Aloha Ahiahi Makeke, or Aloha Night Market, held last Friday evening on the lawn behind Hoʻala Cafe & Sip Shop at Ala Malama Avenue.
Canencia, who owns the cafe, said the Aloha Ahiahi Makeke is a combined effort between Hoʻala Cafe and The Store House deli. The market officially kicked off at 5 p.m. String lights criss-crossing above the market added to a warm feel and charming atmosphere of the event.
The first market attracted 16 vendors selling vintage Hawaiian goods, jewelry made with Molokai-sourced organic materials, gifts, food products made with local ingredients, crafts, delicious food, baked goods, shave ice and an out-of-this-world rolled ice cream.
“We know it’s going to increase,” Canencia said of future editions of the market. “I think we can take up to about 25 vendors.”
Seven musicians shared the stage, playing anything from jazz to Hawaiian contemporary music to traditional Hawaiian songs. Many people brought lawnchairs and enjoyed the music in the company of friends. Those more uninhibited started dancing and encouraged others to join them.
The best thing about the new market, Canencia said, is bringing people together, having a place for them to enjoy each other, and for the vendors to sell their goods.
“And the good music. Everybody loves to hear music,” she said.
A special surprise graced the public. The dancers from the Halau Hula Ka Makani Laukamani o Halawa Iki live in different states — Idaho, California, Oklahoma, Kansas and Washington — and in Switzerland and the Netherlands. They practice online under Kumu Paʻa Nui Lawrence Kalainia Kamani Aki, from Molokai.
Last week, all of them were on Molokai. They performed hula to Wahine Ilikea, a touching song by Dennis Kamakahi that describes the natural beauty of the island.
The musicians left the stage soon after 8 p.m., and vendors started to slowly dismantle their stands. Before 9 p.m., the event was over.
Canencia said everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. She took a survey with the vendors afterwards, and said most of them want to come back and would like for the Aloha Ahiahi Makeke be held twice a month. But it’s still in the works, she said.
Vendors and musicians interested in joining the next market should call Canencia at Hoʻala Cafe at (808) 213-4691.