Hawaiʻi Local Futures - A Community Business, Culture & Arts Showcase

Vision Overview

Hawaiʻi Local Futures is a public-facing community showcase envisioned to highlight the people, families, and locally rooted businesses that actively shape Hawaiʻi’s economy, culture, and creative life.

This event is designed to go beyond traditional markets or fairs by offering the public a broader view of Hawaiʻi’s local ecosystem — including family-owned businesses, service-based enterprises, cultural practitioners, and artists who live and work in Hawaiʻi.

Rather than focusing solely on food or retail, Hawaiʻi Local Futures aims to make visible the wide range of local businesses and creative work that sustain Hawaiʻi’s communities.

Why This Event Exists

Many public markets and community events in Hawaiʻi tend to feature the same types of vendors and experiences, often centered around food or small retail goods. While these spaces are valuable, they do not always reflect the full diversity of locally rooted businesses, cultural work, and creative practices that exist across Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi Local Futures was created to broaden that picture.

This event envisions a space where the public can:

• Discover different types of local businesses beyond food and craft markets

• Meet the people behind family-owned and community-based enterprises

• Learn about businesses, cultural practices, and creative work rooted in Hawaiʻi

• Gain a deeper understanding of how local people live, work, and contribute to Hawaiʻi

What Makes Hawaiʻi Local Futures Different

Hawaiʻi Local Futures is not a traditional market.

While vendors may sell goods or services, the primary purpose of the event is visibility, connection, and understanding — not sales alone.

Key differences include:

• A curated mix of businesses, culture, and arts — not a single category focus

• Emphasis on the people and stories behind the work

• Inclusion of service-based and non-retail businesses

• A mission-driven approach centered on community, culture, and local impact

What the Event Will Feature

While details will evolve over time, Hawaiʻi Local Futures is envisioned to include a mix of:

• Local & Family-Owned Businesses
  Service providers, retail businesses, and enterprises rooted in Hawaiʻi

• Cultural Practitioners & Community Organizations
  Groups and individuals preserving and sharing Hawaiʻi’s cultural knowledge and practices

• Arts & Creative Work
  Visual arts, design, storytelling, and creative expressions connected to place and community

• Food & Beverage (Select Participation)
  Food vendors may be included when aligned with the event’s mission and storytelling focus

Participation will be curated to reflect Hawaiʻi’s diversity and local character.

Event Format & Experience (Vision)

Hawaiʻi Local Futures is envisioned as a public, walk-through community experience with booth-style participation, informal conversations, and opportunities for the public to engage directly with local businesses and practitioners.

The experience is designed to be:

• Accessible to the public

• Family-friendly

• Educational through interaction rather than formal instruction

• Community-centered rather than transactional

Short spotlight moments, conversations, or informal introductions may be incorporated to help attendees better understand the people and work being showcased.

Timing & Frequency (Planned Direction)

Hawaiʻi Local Futures is envisioned as a periodic large-scale community event, rather than a frequent market.

• Expected frequency: Once per year or once every 1–2 years

• Likely timing: Weekend daytime hours

• Duration: Half-day to full-day experience

Specific dates, locations, and participation details will be announced as planning progresses.

Who This Event Is For

• Hawaiʻi residents and families

• Community members interested in local businesses and culture

• Individuals who want to better understand Hawaiʻi’s local economy

• Visitors seeking deeper, community-rooted experiences

• Local businesses and practitioners seeking visibility and connection

Looking Ahead

Hawaiʻi Local Futures is currently in development.

Details regarding participation, scheduling, and partnerships will be shared as the event takes shape.

This initiative reflects the Foundation’s long-term commitment to strengthening Hawaiʻi’s locally rooted economy by creating spaces where people, businesses, culture, and creativity can be seen, valued, and connected.

Hawaiʻi Local Futures is not about what is sold — it is about who we see, support, and sustain.