CELEBRATE REVIVAL OF KOKUA MARKET
It’s been a roller coaster of a ride for Kokua Market, the natural foods cooperative that has been at the very brink of closing. But it’s riding high again and ready to start afresh, thanks to successful fundraising that secured $168,000, an amount that went beyond its goal, as well as a grant.
Volunteers are now spiffing up the space to get ready for a celebration Friday and Saturday that will offer all manner of wholesome food from local farmers and ranchers, and delicious creations from chefs and artisans.
>> The Kokua Market Celebration Weekend officially begins at 4 p.m. Friday with fish and veggie tacos from Local I‘a, Oahu’s community-supported fishery; barbecued local grassfed beef by Ignacio Fleishour of Makana Market; veggie dishes and polenta made from local produce, prepared by chef Ed Kenney; a beer garden; pineapple cider and IPA by Ola Brew; and ginger drinks from Pacifikool. Visit with GoFarm Hawaii and enjoy the tunes of Ashtafari Music. Festivities run through 8 p.m.
>> On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the day starts with a blessing and continues with a Chinese lion dance at noon.
Food lineup: The Banan food truck will deliver its popular dairy-free soft serve made from local bananas. Partake of local chocolate from Madre Chocolate, goat cheese courtesy of Sweet Land Farms’ Emma Bello, samples of tea from Shaka Tea, pastry from Cakeworks, freshly pressed Hawaiian sugar cane juice by Ted Radovich of the University of Hawaii, honey with George Hudes, local charcuterie by Ignacio Fleishour, taro from Ho‘okua‘aina of Maunawili, pickled baby breadfruit from the Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative, ulu hummus from ‘Ulu Mana, and from Slow Food Oahu, samples of orange-fleshed iholena banana, a Hawaiian variety.
Need a gift for Mother’s Day? Pick up a local flower bouquet. The day will also include door prizes, and Jon Kema will play music.
Kokua Market is at 2643 S. King St. Call 941-1922.
NEW COOKIE BOASTS TOUCH OF SALT
Big Island Candies went international in developing its latest cookie, collaborating with Japanese lifestyle celebrity Harumi Kurihara to create Harumi’s Hawaiian Salt Cookies. The flavor features one of Kurihara’s favorite ingredients to deliver a balanced taste.
“My favorite cookie recipe up until now incorporates salt, so I thought to use salt from Hawaii,” said the award-winning cookbook author. “As I expected, the delicate flavors of Hawaiian sea salt makes the cookie truly delectable.”
On Friday, the new cookie will be released at the company’s Ala Moana Center store at 4 p.m. with an appearance by Kurihara, who will be signing autographs from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition, the store will have advance copies of Kurihara’s latest cookbook, “Harumi,” printed in English. The books will be a gift to customers who purchase $150 worth of products, including at least one box of the new cookie, while supplies last. These customers will get the chance to meet Kurihara. Customers who purchase any amount of the cookie will also be welcome to get an autograph. A box of a dozen salt cookies is $18.95.
Kurihara is a longtime television personality in Japan who hosts her own cooking shows. She also publishes a quarterly magazine, operates the restaurant chain Yutori No Kukan and has her own line of kitchen and home products sold in her Share With Kurihara Harumi shops.
Big Island Candies is located on the street level of the center, near Center Court. Call 946-9213 or visit bigislandcandies.com.
