A journey through Honolulu’s Ho’omau Hawaii Market

HONOLULU, Hawaii (CN) — Lei Day has come to Hawaii. The holiday, celebrated on May Day (May 1), pays homage to past Hawaiian monarchs and ancient customs like lei-making and hula.

In the spirit of the season, I recently found myself in the heart of Honolulu, on the lush grounds of the Bishop Museum. I was there for the fourth annual Ho'omau Hawaii Market, a celebration of Hawaiian art and heritage.

More than just a flea market, the Ho’omau Hawaii Market aims to capture the essence of Hawaii. Each vendor showcased items reflective of Hawaiian culture, from intricately woven lauhala baskets to jewelry adorned with symbols of the islands.

Hosted by Mahina Made, a local Hawaiian brand, the market is a testament to the endurance of Hawaiian culture. With 38 small businesses participating and almost all of them Hawaiian-owned, the market aims to “revive and strengthen our lāhui (nation),” according to its website.

From the moment I stepped foot into the market, I was greeted by the spirit of aloha and the proud, beaming faces of Hawaiian entrepreneurs. The air was filled with the melodic notes of live Hawaiian music, accompanied by the rhythmic hip-swaying of impromptu hula dances.

I struck up a conversation with one vendor, an elderly native Hawaiian woman dressed in a colorful mu’umu’u and a traditional papale nui, a type of Hawaiian weaved hat. She shared a bit about the inspiration behind her work, describing it as a way to connect with her Hawaiian roots and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

The Ho’omau Hawaii Market isn’t all fun and hula. It also has a serious goal: reclaiming ownership of Hawaii's cultural identity. 

Ten million tourists visit Hawaii every year. According to the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, these tourists account for roughly 21% of Hawaii’s GDP. But despite the billions generated by this paradise each year, very little trickles back down to the actual stewards of Hawaii's cultural heritage, the Native Hawaiians themselves.

Events like the Ho'omau Hawaii Market aim to flip the script, putting the spotlight back on Native Hawaiian businesses and their mission to share the true essence of Hawaii. Through their passion and talent, these entrepreneurs offer a glimpse of Hawaii before colonization and tourist development.

Being in an atmosphere like this took me back to my childhood. While I don’t identify as Hawaiian, I was born on Oahu and grew up around lots of Native Hawaiians. The culture — engrained in nearly every aspect of life here — has always resonated for me. Knowing I live on Hawaiian soil, I’ve also always felt a personal obligation to protect and embrace this heritage.

In elementary school, I remember sitting on a weaved mat and listening to kumu (teacher) as he taught us Hawaiian numbers, songs and phrases. There were hula lessons and occasional sweet treats like homemade haupia (coconut pudding) or kulolo (taro caramel).

These days, I don’t remember much of my Hawaiian language lessons. Still, being here at the Ho’omau market, I felt connected to a culture that to me has always meant home.

After around two hours of shopping, chatting with vendors, and enjoying the atmosphere, I left with a set of handmade jewelry decorated with images of my favorite Hawaiian flower, the puakenikeni. I felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that I had contributed not only to local businesses but also to a larger cause. For me, the Ho'omau Hawaii Market is a testament to the resilience of the Hawaiian spirit — a vision of a future where the voices and traditions of Native Hawaiians remain at the forefront of Hawaii's identity.

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