By a series of fortunate connections, we were able to reorganize and regroup to hold the plant exchange at Koko Marina Center a mere four days after having being notified by Kaiser PTSA that we would no longer have the Kaiser HS farmer’s market venue for our monthly plant swaps,
That alone is the definition of positive karma, good juju, or serendipity. It is also fully the result of symbiotic relationships in business, proprietorship, and the not-for-profit community. In this case, we were blessed first and foremost by Albert Fung and his Oahu Free Plant Share Facebook group.
For those that want the short read, it is this: Our plant swap and three other entities have found the ultimate win-win-win-win situation for all. Everyone walks away a winner. For those that want the details, here they are.
Albert has organized multiple events across the island to perpetuate plant exchanges. In some cases, the events are held in church parking lots. In other cases, at shopping centers. In our case, it was held at Koko Marina Center center in conjunction with a large craft fair with many small business vendors. We were blessed to have 808 Craft and Gift Fairs grant us space for the remainder of 2024.
808 Craft and Gift Fairs, the longest and largest craft fair organizer on Oahu, holds multiple events around the island, promoting each and insuring a steady flow of traffic to small vendors. Vendors pay for space based on the audience an event draws. That’s where we come in. Collectively, we created our own crowd: a crowd that like all crowds, is made of shoppers. It’s not a one-sided arrangement either. One of my first thoughts about this new venue is what an incredible experience visitors will have here. Our new venue is next to the marina and next to live music.
Also in this arrangement, Koko Marina Center. Now that the pandemic is over, it’s time for residents to return. Restaurants are open, boutiques and snack shops are waiting for the crowds to regrow. Prior to the pandemic, Koko Marina was the meeting place for local families. Returning here for the exchange last Saturday reminded me why. Businesses like Kona Brewing Co, Local Motion, Hapa Heaven Salon and Spa, Walgreens and Petco that held on throughout 2020 are here. There are also fun-to-visit new businesses like HanaPa’a Market and Boba’s Crystal, small businesses that want to try their hand at engaging the economy.
Fortune often arrives in unexpected packages. Here, I see so many symbiotic relationships served in the best interest of our own mission: creating the world we want to live in. Let’s get out of our homes and back into the community.