Pop-Up Makeke, an online marketplace featuring Hawaii vendors first launched by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement in response to the pandemic last year, is reopening for business on July 1.
In 2020, Pop-Up Makeke generated more than $2 million in revenue for struggling local businesses. The newest installment of the marketplace will focus on helping participating businesses become self-sustainable and establish prominent global footprints, according to officials with CNHA.
“The Pop-Up Makeke is a catalyst for local businesses to increase revenue-generating opportunities and gain global exposure,” said Kuhio Lewis, CNHA president and CEO, in a statement. “Our team has secured quality local vendors and made adjustments to improve customer service in anticipation of high customer interest.”
CNHA created the makeke, which means market in Hawaiian, in April 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 57th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, an event critical to many local vendors who are dependent on the festival's customer base for financial stability throughout the year.
This year, Pop-Up Makeke will also feature products from official Merrie Monarch Festival vendors who would normally be in Hilo during the week of competition.
“Starting the first week of July, shoppers will start seeing those items from the official festival vendors,” Lewis said. “This is just another way our community can support these businesses as we continue to face the economic challenges.”
