Honolulu Night Market - February

   If you've never been to a Honolulu Night Market then you are seriously missing out. I dragged my butt all the way from Kapolei into town just to attend this most trendy and jovial event. Set in artsy Kakaako, the event is held the 2nd saturday of just about every month and features a lineup of food trucks, arts and craft vendors, live-art painting, live entertainment including song and dance, street djs, a bar, a fabulous fashion show and the ever opportune chance to take an incredibly-placed selfie. This month's event, which was this past saturday (Feb 10), was even larger, more bustling and more colorful than any held previously. Skirting the edges of the event upon first arrival, which actually took up the Salt center area, Cooke and Keawe St. as well as the courtyard at Puunui Flats, I couldn't help but feel happy at being back in my scene where crowds share their uninhibited enjoyment of festiveness, there is a flux of multi-cultural exchange and merriment, and people tend to dress a bit better, more eclectic and expressive which I enjoy very much.
   A family-friendly event, local street acts dot the sidewalks as people of all ages and backgrounds (and their cute dogs) frolic into the night. The Night Market has something there for every individual's taste. Hoping to spend your saturday night getting hammered and rowdy? Well there's a mobile bar for that. Are you just trying to get your groove on and enjoy the scene? There are multiple dj booths/tents playing a variety of genres to satisfy those dancing feet. Is art and fashion more your style? Pow!Wow!Hawaii is actually a week-long event jump-started by the Night Market every year that showcases local talent and artists that create amazingly visionary works right in front of you, their murals decorate the entire Salt at our Kakaako block. As for fashion, the fashion show will satisfy those cravings. Fabruary's event featured Jam's World, a highly playful brand that highlights colorful pieces with a vintage-meets-contemporary, tropical feel. Made in Hawaii, this manufacturer brings the carefree island lifestyle out to play in bold yet comfortable, casual resort-wear. The models' hair and makeup styling I thought was exceptionally spot on, gracing the catwalk with electric blue liner and wavy, beachy locks that spoke of natural high style, fashionable without trying too hard. Loved it!

   Besides the more showy facets of the event, the variety of food trucks that lined the street were also quite appealing and all so tempting. Ranging from fresh, locally-sourced pacific cuisine to Mexican, Mediterranean, and East-Asian dishes, you can get anything from fish and chips and open-faced sushi to coconut curry and southern bbq. Sweets included li hing strawberry lemonades, papaya frozen yogurt, and sugared donuts, among other delights.
   Surrounding shops kept their doors open later to encourage crowds to take advantage of their Night Market discounts and pop-up shops and booths showcased local product including potted succulents, macrame wall-hangings and home decor, handmade leather bags, street wear, and gold and silver jewelry.