In addition to its annual Merrie Monarch Craft Fair, the Manono Street Marketplace in Hilo will be offering pop-ups of local businesses and additional food options this year.
“It’s such a great opportunity for small businesses,” said event coordinator Sophia TK Hara Chun. “We have an emotional connection to all of them. They’re like family and friends.”
Pop-ups will be offered in the stores of two of the marketplace’s full-time tenants all week.
Children’s boutique crib. will feature several businesses from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Saturday. Local brand MaruMaru Hawaii today will launch its new “Hilo Das Why” line of items.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, artist Noelle Kauanoe Campbell will be offering her fresh flower earrings and more at her crib. pop-up.
Family-run SweetiePoi Hawaii will be selling their goods in the boutique Wednesday, as will female-owned Mama Kine Tings on Friday and culturally inclusive brand The Sweetest Keiki Co. on Saturday.
Another popular retail store in the marketplace, Hideaway Hilo, also will have an extensive offering of pop-ups from Wednesday through Saturday, including street-wear brand The More Collective and jewelry by Hilo brand Link With Sis. Two businesses from Lanai — children’s brand Georgie’s Corner Hawaii and its adult alternative, lifestyle and apparel brand Kamakaokalani Hawaii — also will be featured in Hideaway Hilo.
Hideaway Hilo’s pop-ups will be on the same days and times that the marketplace will have an affordable craft fair with vendors selling various items in front of the stores. The craft fair will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
KITV will be doing live coverage from the craft fair on Wednesday and Thursday, giving some lucky vendors and customers the chance to take a TV appearance away from their fun week celebrating the Merrie Monarch Festival, along with some unique crafts.
“They’re all different, and they’re all very good at what they do,” said event founder Gina Hara Chun, who started The Manono Street Marketplace Craft Fair over a decade ago before passing the torch to her daughter, Sophia, in recent years. “I always wanted to create a fun, inexpensive event for the community and to help the mom-and-pops.”
The usual food offerings will remain open, with HA Cafe and Cupcake BOOM offering Merrie Monarch specials, said Sophia TK Hara Chun. She added that another visiting vendor, Mochi N Things by Alyssa, will be offering unique mochi treats on Saturday.
“They usually sell out fast,” she said of the mochi flavors like Blueberry Cream Cheese and Cookie Monster. “They’re arriving at 9 or 10 a.m., but they’ll be done by 1 or 2 p.m. when they sell out.”
At Lani’s Island Snack Shack, Kravin Munchies Gourmet Popcorn will be offering their furikake treats, flavored popcorn, cotton candy, li-hing mui lollipops, and gift baskets in front of the store during the craft fair, Gina Hara Chun said.
Both Hara Chun women said they value the opportunity to provide an affordable shopping experience.
“I try to copy Aunty Luana (Kawelu), because Merrie Monarch is very affordable,” Gina Hara Chun said of honoring the festival founder’s commitment to keeping the ticket prices low, while also offering smaller items to meet basic needs. “This is mostly for everyday living, and great for gifts.”
The marketplace is located at 681 Manono St. in Hilo.
Learn more by visiting the Manono Street Marketplace shops’ Instagram pages and manonostmarketplace.wordpress.com/.
Email Kyveli Diener at kdiener@hawaiitribune-herald.com.