Event description:
The Big Island Invasive Species Committee is collaborating with a local nonprofit in Puna, Pōhaku Pelemaka, to host the Hala Festival at the Makuʻu Market on Saturday, May 18 from 10am to 2pm. Cherished for its many uses, hala is an integral part of Hawaiian culture and continues to be an important resource for weaving, lei making, and other cultural practices. There is a pressing need to protect hala from invasive species threats, like hala scale and coconut rhinoceros beetle, and habitat loss due to growing development.
This free, ʻohana-friendly event is open to everyone interested in nurturing a deeper connection to place and sharing in the collective kuleana of mālama ʻāina. We are going to have live music performances, hands-on workshops, talk story sessions, craft and food vendors, and educational booths.
Link to sign up as a vendor: https://forms.gle/MUzwVAxB7Ggvc8VAA