![University of 鶹ý at Mānoa](/its/template/system_2019/images/uh-nameplate.png")
Taste, shop, celebrate, repeat! Inside the 2026 鶹ýAlumni Makers' Market
VIDEO NEWS RELEASE
University of 鶹ý
Raelee Takayesu, Owner, KCCAKESS (Hawaiʻi CC alumna)
Carlos Peñaloza (getting a haircut) and Wendy Hensel
Take One Music
Alumni vendors
The event sold out for the second year in a row.
Link to video and sound (details below):
WHAT: Dozens of alumni-owned businesses showcased their innovative treats, goods and services at the 5th annual University of Hawaiʻi Alumni Makers' Market, which sold out for the second year in a row.
WHEN: July 29, 2026, 6–9 p.m.
WHERE: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī
HOW: The signature event showcased food, drinks and products from alumni-owned and led small businesses. Attendees enjoyed unlimited access to food and drink stations, as well as the opportunity to purchase merchandise.
WHY: The 鶹ýAlumni Makers' Market celebrates 鶹ýalumni small businesses and their impact. Presented by the 鶹ýOffice of Alumni Relations, in partnership with the 鶹ýAlumni Association, a portion of the proceeds will go toward benefiting student needs across the 10-campus 鶹ýsystem.
WHO: Approximately 500 attendees, alumni business owners, and 鶹ýcommunity members.
Participating food and beverage vendors included:
- BeerLab Hawaii
- Bite Logic
- KCCAKESS
- Kai Vodka
- Kapa Hale
- Kapiʻolani Community College Culinary/Jason Peel
- Little Plum/Uncle Paul's Corner Store
- Makanai
- PILI Group
- Pono Potions
- Pop Culture Artisan Pops
- Rainbow Drive-In
- Summer Club
- The Lei Stand
- The Pau Hana Co.
Participating marketplace vendors included:
- Arii Jewelry
- Art by Sachiko
- Aunty Kendra's
- Choco Leʻa
- Churro's Fish Market
- Chyler’s
- David Shepard Hawaiʻi
- Hawaii Confectionery
- Hawaiian Pie Co.
- Huff n Puff
- Kailua Honey
- Kaululani Florals
- Mari's Garden
- Okonokai
- Old Queen Street Stadium
- Ports + Paws
- Premier Barbershop
- Red Thread Artistry
- Sweet Enemy Clothing
- Ten Tomorrow
- Touch A Heart
- Urban Cowboy
- Wailana Hawaiʻi Art
- Welo Creations
VIDEO: TRT 2:10
BROLL: 1:27
:0-:10 SOT Take One Music playing: Kamahaʻo Yamashiro (鶹ýMānoa), KC Bell (鶹ýMānoa) and Kilinahe Wong (鶹ýMānoa)
Shots of the 5th annual 鶹ýAlumni Makers' Market at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
SOUND:
Josh Green, Hawaiʻi Governor (:09)
ʻ”Supporting 鶹ýis supporting our whole state. The economic driver of our state is often 鶹ýitself. It also produces incredible people going forward.”
Raelee Takayesu, Owner, KCCAKESS (Hawaiʻi CC alumna) (:14)
“Hawaiʻi Community College has definitely helped me a lot with pricing and inventory. I learned a lot of background things other than culinary. We learned things such as how to make larger batches and how to be more prepared so it's more efficient.“
Kamahaʻo Yamashiro, Take One Music (鶹ýMānoa alumnus) (:15)
"“What I liked about 鶹ýis that the camaraderie is there and it's what you do outside of school is what makes it so special, because we're, we're all local boys born and raised here."