Stop by Kailua’s Elevate Health Bar today and sip on a new sea moss gel infused smoothie collab with Kanahele Roots called, “Kauwela,” or summer in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
“It tastes like sunshine,” according to its co-creator, Waimānalo born and raised entrepreneur Lehunanani Kanahele-Santos. “Sea moss is a superfood packed with minerals, and it gives you a natural flow of energy without the crash, almost like the healthier version of pre-workout. It’s good for gut health and skin care, as well.”
Kanahele-Santos, 25, owns Kanahele Roots, which sells health, wellness and educational products including sea moss (limu) gel, farm fresh eggs and ʻŌlelo decks, or themed flashcards with illustrations and words in both the English and Hawaiian languages. She also runs Pohinahina Kinis, a Hawaiʻi-designed apparel and stationery brand, that carries journals and planners, bikinis, alohawear, and coming soon, activewear.
Kanahele-Santos told Aloha State Daily that through school growing up on Oʻahu, she was fluent in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and later went on to college in Portland, Ore., to become a neurosurgeon.
“Covid essentially shut my school down and I realized I didn’t want to go down that field. So, when I came home in 2020, I went back to my roots,” she said. “I never thought I’d switch gears into business, now holding a monthly market of majority women- and Kānaka-owned vendors’ specializing in food, arts and crafts. I’m living the dream.”
In April 2022, Kanahele-Santos launched Puʻuhonua Mākeke, a curated monthly pop-up market at Puʻuhonua O Waimānalo (41-1300 Waikupanaha St.). To date, 75 Kānaka-owned businesses have participated, about half of which are from Puʻuhonua; and in partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance, 200 dozen free bread loaves and eggs have been distributed to hundreds of ʻohana, per its website.
This month’s mākeke is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, and will feature 24 local vendors, raffles and prizes, lei and pāpale making workshops ($15 for lei, $30 for lei and pāpale), and its signature free eggs and bread for the first 100 families.
“Vaifalla and Things will be there for the first time,” she said, noting that her aunty Tennille Leomana with Aloha Spirit Bakes and “Mama Kanahele” of Nā Mea ‘Ono are regular vendors.
“My family all cooked/baked for fun before turning it into businesses for the mākeke,” Kanahele-Santos said. “To make extra money in high school, I would help my aunty sell her cupcakes at different parties, weddings, and graduations, so that was my introduction to being around a businesswoman.”
The self-described “go-getter” knew from a young age that she wanted to be successful and learned from other business owners and YouTube to create and market the mākeke, she noted.
“It’s a safe haven overall,” she added. “Come enjoy the ocean and mountain views, shopping, drinks, desserts and foods at this family and animal friendly event.”
The main goal is to help vendors gain “a consistent source of income” and for the entrepreneurial spirit to live on through generations. “I want to build a community and a family,” Kanahele-Santos said.
Personally, she’s excited to scale her products into retail stores across Hawaiʻi and the Mainland.
Her advice to other small business owners in the Islands? “Stay consistent and don’t give up. Things don’t happen overnight. One day could change your life.
“’Holomua’ — keep moving forward, … believe in yourself, don’t let the outside voices affect or determine your life. Follow your intuition. And don’t forget to have fun while you’re doing it. Because I love doing it, it keeps me going. … I’ve been planting the seeds, now I’m watering the plant, giving myself grace and gratitude for how things have come along; there’s always room to grow.”
For more information, visit puuhonuamakeke.org, email puuhonuamakeke@gmail.com or follow on Instagram @puuhonuamakeke.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
