Members of the Laie community and any travelers of the Kamehameha Highway can experience what life was like in Laie during the plantation era right outside the Polynesian Cultural Center with the opening of Hukilau Marketplace.The name of the marketplace, “Hukilau,” comes from back when fishermen in Laie would “hukilau” or “throw nets around schools of fish” and “bring them to the shore for the community to enjoy,” according to a press release from the PCC. This practice became very popular, and visitors to Laie would come to watch and enjoy the music and food afterwards on the beach alongside the community members.The marketplace includes a variety of shops including retail, fashion and food. The marketplace has historical significance and some shops have a story behind them. According to David Fonoimoana, who was the retail assistant merchandising manager at PCC and now the manager of the BYU-Hawaii Bookstore, the Laie General Store is a souvenir shop created after the legacy of the Goo family in Laie. The Goo family owned a plantation store in Laie that was closed down in the 1980s.“The décor and memorabilia are reminiscent of … family-run community stores ... including an exact working replica of the old jukebox that sat in front of Goo’s Store for many years,” says PCC’s website.The fashion store, Nona’s Tropical Threads, is named after a seamstress who was well known in the Laie community for 50 years, said Abby Carlson, retail assistant operations manager. “The story behind her is that she was able to look at people, know the size and cut the fabric,” said Carlson. “She was a really awesome and talented lady.”The marketplace is aiming to stay true to the community with specialized food, products and entertainment. Along with different shops, the marketplace will also have about five carts and kiosks, said Fonoimoana.The marketplace is open to the public and parking is free. “It is a huge feat for the PCC that people can come and experience the marketplace without having to pay admission,” said Alfred Grace, PCC president, in a press release about the marketplace.The main purpose behind opening the Hukilau Marketplace is to get repeat customers, Fonoimoana said. “A lot of people think, ‘I’ve already been there so I’ve already seen it,’ but now people can stop for lunch or stop for an hour and then head on. They don’t have to commit the whole day,” he said.Eric Workman, executive vice president of the PCC, said, “Hukilau Marketplace is bringing together in one location goods, activities, and special foods associated with the heritage of Laie, the North Shore and Polynesia. It’s exciting to see this new, fun, family-friendly gathering place come to life and give residents and visitors another reason to enjoy the North Shore.”The marketplace is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Grand Opening for the Hukilau Marketplace is scheduled for Feb. 20, says PCC website.Uploaded Jan. 29 2015
Writer: Kaitlin Broyles
