The 2013 Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair will be from 4-9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
The 2013 Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair will be from 4-9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
This free annual event, with more than 90 vendors from the Big Island as well as Kauai, Maui and Oahu, will feature some of Hawaii’s best artists and producers of fine handmade arts, crafts and gifts for Christmas.
Producers Nelson and Kainoa Makua of Na Makua Hawaiian Designs have culminated a collection of unique gift items such as jewelry, feather leis, custom ukuleles, Christmas wreaths and decorations, bags and totes, apparel, local wood products, Native Hawaiian plants, foods and snacks, and many more one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. They will include fashions by local designers, WahineToa, Hawaiian Force, Kealopiko, Punawai, Simply Sisters and Na Makua.
Nelson Makua, who is also the director of the Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair, along with his son and co-producer, Kainoa Makua, brings the same high quality to their Christmas Gift Fair.
“We have always believed that it is the vendors and the quality of their products who make the event and we’ve been really fortunate to have some of the best in Hawaii at our events,” Makua said.
“We’ve added some new features to this year’s fair,” Makua said. “We are excited to have Liko Lehua Cafe in our food concession. They will be serving their ono Hawaiian plate along with select menu items.”
Liko Lehua Cafe is a local family-run business and are widely known for their delicious flavored butters using only locally sourced products and natural, fresh ingredients. Their cafe is located on Kaumana Drive in Hilo.
Hamakua Mushroom Farm will also be at the fair featuring their Bacon-Wrapped Mushroom Tempura Lollipops with Hearts of Palm dipping sauce created by Café Pesto’s Executive Chef Casey Halpern.
Hamakua Mushroom’s Sweet Country Tea will also make its debut, along with a few other gourmet mushroom surprises. They will also be serving Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, which is something new for Hilo.
The Na Makua Christmas Fair will also offer free entertainment by Aunty Diana Aki, the Pauahiokalani Hawaiian Music Ensemble, Tyra Gomes, Mahu‘ilauola of Ke Kula Nawahiokalaniopu‘u and will feature the musical group, Komakakino with their new CD, “‘O Keia Ka Manawa.” Desiree Moana Cruz will host as emcee and there will be drawings for prizes every half hour.
For more information, contact Nelson and Kainoa Makua at 966-4647 or email: puna@namakua.com.