Glimpses of the Anahola Marketplace (AMP) clockwise from top left: the community thrift store provides jobs and upcycled goods; AMP’s highway sign beckons motorists to stop and visit; the saimin at Anahola Cafe is said to rival Hamura’s; and line dancing lessons are offered on Thursday evenings. – Courtesy Photos
Homestead economic development has been the goal of board members of the Anahola Hawaiian Homes Association (AHHA) for over twenty years now. Though currently their president, I first came to AHHA years ago when hired to manage their construction grant for the community certified kitchen that became the foundation for our Anahola Marketplace (AMP).
All our economic development thus far is due to our Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC) which was founded to provide the technical assistance, resources, capacity- building, and leadership required.
At Anahola Café, a community certified kitchen, we are creating food industry jobs and workforce development opportunities while also providing ʻono menu items like my favorite teri burger and “frings,” everyone’s favorite fish and chips, and a deluxe saimin including won ton, roast pork, egg and green onions that rivals the deluxe saimin at Hamura’s in Līhuʻe.
At the café’s open-air pavilion, we host a “Last Saturday” event each month with live bands and pop-up craft and food vendors. On the second Saturday, we host “Open Line Dancing” with Kauaʻi’s own Jeffrey Callejo, who also provides lessons on Thursday nights. Our Anahola Marketplace helps create a stronger rural economy by providing affordable retail spaces and business support services to numerous vendors including Culture To Canvas, Edge Hair Salon (by Windy Kirifi), Hapa Kine Tracts, Kauaʻi Scuba Adventures and many others.
Our newly renovated thrift store provides jobs and workforce development while also addressing our community’s need for discounted clothing, furniture, and household goods locally. We get a lot of very nice items donated all the time and we’re keeping the prices low to ensure they “move” as well as to keep the storefront from getting too crowded.
On behalf of our entire AHHA Board, you’re all invited to come eat, shop, dance and relax at our homestead marketplace in Anahola, Kauaʻi. See you soon!
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