Your Insider Guide to Keep It Kaimukī Saturday

Photo: Tommy Shih

The Kaimukī community takes Small Business Saturday to another level with its annual Keep It Kaimukī Saturday event, presented by Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union. Now in its ninth year, the shopping extravaganza makes holiday shopping jolly with special promotions at neighborhood businesses, an outdoor maker’s market, complimentary family- and pet-friendly activities, live entertainment and free trolley rides throughout the historic district.

Unlike Black Friday and Cyber Monday when big box stores reign, Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to purchase gifts from local stores, entrepreneurs and artisans. And Kaimukī has a plethora of them to support, from charming bakeries and quirky coffee shops to artsy florists and eclectic fashion boutiques. This year, more than 30 brick-and-mortar businesses are participating with special offers and gifts as well as 60 vendors popping up at the outdoor market.

Click to the info you want to explore:

• When and Where
• What to Buy
• What to Do
• Tips

SEE ALSO: Can’t-Miss Local Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs on O‘ahu

Photo: Tommy Shih

When and Where

Keep It Kaimukī Saturday will be on Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The outdoor maker’s market, holiday activities and live entertainment will be held at Ali‘iolani Elementary School (1240 7th Ave.). A free trolley will run up and down Wai‘alae Avenue from the Goodwill store to St. Louis School, stopping at designated spots along the route.

How Much It Costs

Admission and family activities are free.

Where to Park

Pull into Sacred Hearts Academy (3253 Wai‘alae Ave.) or St. Patrick’s Church (1124 7th Ave.) for free self-parking. Street parking is also available.

SEE ALSO: Where to Park in Kaimukī

Photo: Tommy Shih

What to Buy

This year, snag exclusive discounts, offers and gifts at more than 30 participating businesses. Here’s a preview of the promotions:

• Art Flow Studio: 10% discount
• Atelier 1223 at Montsuki: 60% discount on select handmade jewelry and traditional Japanese
  obi, kimono and haori, starting at $10
• Bean About Town: Keep It Kaimukī signature drink
• Bead It!
• BeautiGoddess Studio: A new product launch, plus product and gift card packages available
• Boarded Up by Chubbies Burgers: 10% off for both in-person physical and online/e-gift cards
• Brick Fire Tavern: Free scoop of Double Fat Ice Cream with purchase of pizza and receipt from any participating vendor
• Chillest Shave Ice
• Daily Whisk Matcha
• Every Day Better by Green Meadows
• Hawai‘i Dance Bomb
• Honolulu Piercing Company: 30% discount on all jewelry and BOGO piercings
• House of Intention by Aloha Elixir
• Island-Boy Shop: Receive a glass ornament gift or $20 gift card with purchase of $100+
• Iyengar Yoga Silent Dance Center: New Student Special – three classes for $30 and first Sunday free
• Kaimukī Shokudo: 10% off all food items (excludes drinks)
• Kaimukī Veterinary Urgent Care: Discounted pet treats, food sample rewards and product giveaways
• Keep It Simple Honolulu: New product drops including scents and exclusive pick-and-mix Swedish Candy flavors, discounts on car fresheners, Our Place upcycled pots and pans, eco-friendly bikinis, dive masks and beach accessories, plus storewide candy and treats markdowns.
• Larry’s Napa Auto Parts: Free giveaway
• Little Sparrow
• Live Long and Plant
• Moke’s Bread & Breakfast
• Mud Hen Water
• Onda Pasta & Provisions: Free sample bag of pasta with purchase of any Onda-branded item
• Plantoem: Free baby plant with $25 purchase, 25% off all ceramic planters, BOGO on all drinks
• Small Kine Gift: Free gift with purchase and raffle
• Talk Kaimukī
• Ten Tomorrow
• The Pig and The Lady
• The Public Pet: 20% off storewide, excluding food and select items
• Vermilli INC: Sale and tiered discounts
• Yoga Room Hawai‘i: 20% off class packs

For a full list of this year’s participating businesses, visit keepitkaimuki.com.

Photo: Tommy Shih

The shopping continues at Ali‘iolani Elementary School with an outdoor maker’s market featuring 60 local food and retail vendors. Here is a sampling of the vendors that will be there:

• Aloha Bakehouse & Café
• Ava & Oliver
• Bess Press / Da Shop
• Future of Cool
• Hawai‘i Ceramic Supply
• Honolulu Burger Co.
• Kelsie Dayna Designs
• North Shore Bees
• The Pig & The Lady
• The Pineapple Collective

Photo: Tommy Shih

What to Do

There’s more to do than shop! Get into the holiday spirit with complimentary family activities, including a keiki scavenger hunt and photo opportunities. New this year, a bounce house, glitter tattoos and silent disco will thrill pint-sized shoppers. You can also take a break and enjoy live entertainment from a lineup of community and keiki groups, such as Ei Nei, Kala‘e Camarillo, Nick La‘a and Zack Uchima.

Entertainment Schedule

10 a.m. Welcome Remarks

10:15 a.m. Aloha Hawai‘i Brother Sister Duo

10:45 a.m. Sacred Hearts Academy Hula

11:45 a.m. Kala‘e Camarillo

12:45 p.m. Vibe Dance Academy

1:30 p.m. Hawai‘i Dance Bomb from Ali‘iolani Elementary School

2 p.m. Ei Nei

3 p.m. Nick La‘a and Zack Uchima

Photo: Tommy Shih

Tips

• Bring Fido. The event is pet-friendly! Make sure to visit The Public Pet, owned by Jordan Lee, founder of Keep It Kaimukī.
• Show your love for the neighborhood with swag. Stop by the Keep It Kaimukī booth at the outdoor market for this year’s set of stylish, collectible merchandise featuring an architectural breeze block design.
• Still need a family photo for holiday cards? Snap a pic together in the larger-than-life snow globe at Ali‘iolani Elementary School.
• For even more holiday cheer, tune in to the neighborhood’s virtual Christmas tree lighting and concert at Pu‘u O Kaimukī Mini Park on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. via Keep It Kaimukī’s Instagram Live @keepitkaimuki. Heads up: this is a virtual event only, no in-person attendance.

Free admission, family- and pet-friendly, Ali‘iolani Elementary School and throughout the Kaimukī business district, keepitkaimuki.com, @keepitkaimuki

Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush