Pop-Up Mākeke Seeking Vendors For Season 3

From our friends at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement:

The highly successful online marketplace, Pop-Up Mākeke, established to support Hawaiʻi’s small businesses struggling during the pandemic is now accepting vendor applications for its highly-anticipated third season, vendor selections will begin in early April.

Pop-Up Mākeke is an initiative of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA). Because of its success and lessons learned, CNHA will be partnering with Amazon and Shopify.

“Our economic recovery is underway, but it is a long, tenuous process. We are excited to be able to continue Pop-Up Mākeke as a means to help Hawaiʻi’s struggling small businesses continue to find success,” said Kūhio Lewis, CNHA President & CEO. “The changes we are implementing are designed to empower vendors and to deliver a better customer experience by reducing processing time and fulfilling demand more efficiently. We want to see these local small businesses continue to succeed by increasing sales.”

Vendors wishing to apply for this upcoming season can begin the process online here.

CNHA created the mākeke (market, in Hawaiian) in April 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Merrie Monarch Festival, which many local vendors relied on for financial stability throughout the year. In its first two runs, which spanned five months, Pop-Up Mākeke injected over $2 million into Hawaiʻi’s economy selling more than 100-thousand products from hundreds of local small and micro businesses. Its customer base now spans the globe—with tens of thousands of shoppers enjoying their purchases.

Vendors will be selected by an internal committee looking for products that represent Hawaiʻi’s diversity and align with the Pop-Up Mākeke mission and brand.

“Streamlining our vendor vetting system and the items offered for sale in Pop-Up Mākeke will allow us to ensure that our customers are getting the quality products they expect and that the experience is a profitable one for our vendors, as well,” said Lewis.

About the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Established in 2001, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA or Council) is a federally recognized member based 501c3 non-profit organization, with a mission to enhance the cultural, political, and community development of underserved communities in Hawaii.

Headquartered in Kapolei, CNHA provides access to capital, financial education, individualized financial counseling services, workforce development and emergency assistance for low and moderate-income families. CNHA serves as a National Intermediary, providing grants and loans to support its over 300 members, and underserved communities in Hawai’i.