All about community at MFTC “Market” events
During the Maui Street Market, attendees were entertained by various Maui groups, including the Institute of Hawaiian Music (pictured).
When it comes to putting on community grass root events, Maui Food Technology Center (MFTC) has come up with a winning recipe.
According to Luana Mahi, MFTC President, “At our weekly Maui Sunday Market in the Kahului Shopping Center parking lot, we combine local food trucks, product vendors, talented entertainers, and tons of aloha to create unforgettable events. The result is a loyal following of residents and visitors whom we fondly call our Maui Sunday Market `ohana.”
Recently, MFTC’s ‘ohana grew, thanks to their first-ever Maui Street Market. Held on December 6th at the UH Maui College, the event was comprised of the same winning formula as the Sunday Market version – lots of ono food, music, shopping, and good times. But it also included helpful information about UH Maui College student services, college affiliates and nonprofit educational programs.
“We thought the Maui Street Market was great and we were delighted to sponsor this event held on our campus,” said Lui Hokoana, UH Maui College Chancellor. “It provided an activity for our students at night and it also encouraged our community to come out and visit our campus.”
The venue also gave faculty and staff an opportunity to share about the advantages of attending UH Maui College. According to college counselor Kulamanu Ishihawa, “There are so many benefits for students, including the small class sizes, affordable tuition, and the best professors!”
The event’s organizers couldn’t be happier with the response from attendees to their first Maui Street Market event.
“There’s a lot of love that goes into our events, but they all start with one important ingredient – and that’s community,” said Kaui Kahaiali‘i, event coordinator for both the Maui Sunday Market and Maui Street Market. “Whether it’s showcasing the vendors who participate, sharing information on what’s happening in our community, or just welcoming people into our ‘home’ and reminding them that we’re all one big ‘ohana – we feel very privileged to be able to do what we do.”
According to Mahi, “As for future Markets at the UH Maui College, stay tuned. We’ll be looking at possible future events on the college campus. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to come out to our not-to-be-missed Maui Sunday Market at the Kahului Shopping Center!”
This month, the public will enjoy various holiday festivities at the Maui Sunday Market. In addition to food trucks, shopping and entertainment; on December 9, 16 and 23, the Maui Sunday Market will also offer a Santa’s Workshop with fun crafts for the keiki and a Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Maui Food Bank. Donate canned goods, packaged food products, and/or make a donation to the Maui Food bank and help to feed the hungry in Maui County. Then, on December 23, a special “someone” from the North Pole will make a surprise appearance at 6 pm. “But we can’t mention who,” said Kahaiali‘i.
The weekly Maui Sunday Market is held 4 pm to 8 pm on Sunday in the Kahului Shopping Center parking lot fronting Kaahumanu Avenue, between Burger King and Maui Style Market. Public admission and parking is free.
The Maui Sunday Market is sponsored by the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and A&B Properties Inc.
Cliff Amalato took advantage of the Maui Street Market’s UH Maui College offerings. “There was one class I was interested in taking at the college, but it was difficult to sign up for it since I work long hours at the airport. This event enabled me to talk with the Admissions staff and get my paperwork in order.”
Tight Tacos owner Reggie Ballesteros prepares his Mexican dishes with Hawaiian flavors during the Maui Street Market held at the UH Maui College on Dec. 6.