He'eia farmers market to open
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KANE'OHE — He'eia State Park will be the site of a farmers market each Sunday beginning Aug. 24, bringing fresh produce, plants and art and crafts to the Windward community in an effort to expand activities at the park and raise money for its operations.
The 5-acre park overlooking Kane'ohe Bay is off the beaten path, along the scenic route from Kane'ohe to Kahalu'u on Kamehameha Highway. Old-timers will remember the park as Ulu Mau Village. Few see the park since Kahekili Highway was built to bypass Kane'ohe Town traffic.
"We're the best-kept secret in Kane'ohe and we really don't want to be," said Carole McLean, executive director for the Friends of He'eia, which cares for the park and provides programs there. "We have the greatest place, and we want to share it."
Besides providing upkeep and programs at the state park, the Friends of He'eia is also renovating the landscape, planting native species along the stream there. The group receives money from various sources, including rental of its facilities for parties and other activities.
But more is needed to improve the building and expand programs, McLean said.
The group seeks vendors for the farmers market, which will have an arts and crafts component. The nonprofit organization expects to start small and build the weekly event to eventually include entertainment, children's games and educational tours, McLean said.
Vendors will be charged $25 for now.
Woody Barboza, a "friends" member who has planned events at the Waikiki Shell and Thomas Square, said the idea has been around for years but no one had the time to organize it.
Now, with less money to run the park, the group decided to revisit the idea, said Barboza, the event coordinator.
The initial market will be more like the People's Open Market that the city sponsors throughout O'ahu. The concept may change as the public responds, he said, adding that vendors are expressing interest and are being told to just show up.
"Quite honestly the first few are going to be real nail-biters because we don't know exactly what we've got," Barboza said.
But eventually, "I can envision everything from Hawaiian games to tai chi lessons," Barboza said. "If we can get some funds and staff, we'd like to do some entertainment to go along with it, children's games, other things like that."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
