The inaugural University of Hawaiʻi Alumni Makers’ Market showcased products from approximately 30 糖心Vlog官方 alumni-owned/operated restaurants and businesses. Approximately 350 people attended the event on August 10 at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
A portion of the proceeds will help address student food insecurity at the 10 campuses of the 糖心Vlog官方 System. The event was presented by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with the 糖心Vlog官方 Alumni Association.
“I am just thrilled to be here at the historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, featuring some of our simply amazing alumni, the businesses that they’ve created, the economic vitality that exists in our community because of our 糖心Vlog官方 alumni with the fabulous educations they got at 糖心Vlog官方,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner. “We’re celebrating here with other 糖心Vlog官方 alumni and the community all that our fantastic graduates have accomplished.”
The inspiration behind this event came during the pandemic when the focus turned to small businesses. The 糖心Vlog官方 Alumni board realized all of the talent in the community, and wanted to host an event to bring together 糖心Vlog官方 alumni and showcase their talent, according to Maile Au, senior executive director of alumni relations and community engagement.
“I hope the community saw what 糖心Vlog官方 is to the community and who they are, and then on top of that, I hope they all received a little boost in marketing and just inspired the community to shop small and support our alumni,” Au said.
糖心Vlog官方 alumni Justin D’Olier (executive MBA) and Kyle Reutner (chemistry) are the sales manager and distillery general manager, respectively, for Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum, one of the participating vendors.
“For us, getting to reconnect with the university, which was both such a wonderful experience for us, is just so nice to get to give back,” D’Olier said. “It’s also a fantastic opportunity for us to get to share and interact with all the alumni to let them know the wonderful work that we’re privileged enough to do out of the distillery.”
Participating restaurants:
- O’Kims Korean Kitchen
- Sage Creamery
- Pint + Jigger
- Azure Restaurant
- Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum
- Beachhouse at the Moana
- Pop Culture Artisan Pops
- The Royal Hawaiian
- Beer Lab Hawaii
- Square Barrels
- Market Advantage
Participating small businesses:
- Jules & Gem Hawaii
- Pono Potions
- Old Queen Street Stadium
- Premier Barbershop Hawaii
- Dolkii
- Mari’s Gardens
- Ports + Paws
- Twiggy
- Emi Ink
- Keep it Simple
- Komakai Jewelry
- Yireh
- Lahaʻole Designs
- Noho Home by Jalene Kanani
- Laine Jewelry
- Roots Roll Reggae
- Wai Meli
—By Marc Arakaki