The Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair transforms Hilo's Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-Purpose Stadium into Hawaii's premier holiday marketplace on December 5-6, 2025, showcasing the finest Hawaiian craftspeople, artisans, and cultural practitioners in an enchanting two-day celebration. This exclusive invitational fair, running Friday 2:00-7:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, brings together Hawaii's most talented creators for a carefully curated shopping experience featuring one-of-a-kind gifts, traditional Hawaiian crafts, contemporary art, delicious local food, and live entertainment. Organized by Na Makua, this beloved annual tradition has earned its reputation as the "cream of the crop" of Hawaiian craft fairs, drawing both locals and visitors seeking authentic, handcrafted treasures that embody the spirit of aloha.
Event overview and significance
Na Makua, meaning "the parents" or "the elders" in Hawaiian, represents more than just an organization—it embodies the cultural responsibility to preserve and pass on Hawaiian traditions to future generations. The Christmas Gift Fair serves as a cornerstone event in this mission, providing a prestigious platform where master artisans and emerging artists can share their talents while maintaining the highest standards of Hawaiian cultural authenticity and artistic excellence.
The invitational nature of this fair sets it apart from typical craft shows. Only carefully selected artisans who demonstrate exceptional skill, cultural knowledge, and commitment to traditional Hawaiian arts receive invitations to participate. This selective process ensures that every item available represents genuine Hawaiian craftsmanship and cultural significance, making it one of the most respected craft fairs in the Hawaiian Islands.
Venue and atmosphere
The Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo provides an ideal setting for this prestigious event. Located at 350 Kalanikoa Street, this modern facility offers ample space for both vendors and visitors while providing protection from Hawaii's unpredictable weather patterns. The stadium's design allows for excellent circulation and creates an intimate atmosphere where visitors can engage directly with artisans and learn about their craft techniques and cultural significance.
The venue's central Hilo location makes it easily accessible from all parts of the Big Island, while its proximity to other Hilo attractions allows visitors to combine their fair experience with exploration of the town's museums, gardens, and scenic waterfalls. Free parking is typically available, though arriving early ensures the best spots during peak visiting hours.
Featured artisans and crafts
The 2025 fair will showcase the work of Hawaii's most accomplished practitioners of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian arts. Visitors can expect to find authentic lauhala weavers demonstrating their intricate basketry and hat-making techniques, master woodcarvers creating bowls and implements from native koa and milo wood, and jewelry makers crafting pieces inspired by Hawaiian natural forms and cultural symbols.
Traditional Hawaiian quilters often participate, displaying their magnificent hand-stitched creations that tell stories through their patterns and colors. Textile artists working with kapa (bark cloth), traditional dyes made from native plants, and contemporary interpretations of Hawaiian designs contribute to the fair's diverse offerings. The selection process ensures that every participating artisan brings genuine expertise and cultural understanding to their craft.
Cultural demonstrations and education
Beyond shopping, the Na Makua fair serves as an important educational opportunity where visitors can observe traditional Hawaiian craft techniques being demonstrated by master practitioners. These live demonstrations often include explanations of the cultural significance behind each art form, the traditional uses of various items, and the spiritual aspects that many Hawaiian crafts incorporate.
Many artisans share stories about how they learned their craft, often through family lineages that stretch back generations, or through formal apprenticeships with recognized masters. These personal narratives add depth to the shopping experience and help visitors understand the cultural context that makes Hawaiian crafts so special.
Entertainment and performances
The fair typically features live Hawaiian entertainment throughout both days, including traditional Hawaiian music, hula performances, and storytelling. These performances are carefully selected to complement the craft demonstrations and create an authentic Hawaiian cultural atmosphere. Local hula halau (dance schools) and musicians often volunteer their time to support the event's cultural mission.
The entertainment serves multiple purposes: it attracts visitors to specific areas of the fair, provides cultural education through performance, and creates a festive atmosphere that encourages leisurely browsing and extended visits. Many performances are scheduled to allow maximum attendance while not interfering with the shopping and demonstration activities.
Local food and refreshments
One of the highlights of the Na Makua fair is the exceptional selection of local food vendors offering traditional Hawaiian dishes and contemporary fusion cuisine. Visitors can sample everything from classic plate lunches and poke bowls to more specialized Hawaiian foods like poi, lau lau, and kalua pig. Many food vendors are also carefully selected for their commitment to quality and cultural authenticity.
The food selection often includes unique items that visitors might not find elsewhere, such as traditional Hawaiian desserts, locally-made preserves and sauces, and creative interpretations of classic Hawaiian dishes. These culinary offerings provide sustenance for a full day of shopping while introducing visitors to authentic Hawaiian flavors.
Gift categories and price ranges
The fair's "one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts" span a wide range of categories and price points, ensuring that every visitor can find appropriate items regardless of their budget. Small items like handmade jewelry, carved ornaments, and woven bookmarks provide affordable options for those seeking authentic souvenirs or stocking stuffers.
Higher-end pieces include museum-quality artwork, large lauhala baskets, intricately carved wooden items, and custom jewelry pieces that represent significant investments in authentic Hawaiian art. The direct artist-to-buyer relationship means that purchasers often receive detailed information about their items' creation and cultural significance.
Shopping strategies and tips
Experienced visitors recommend arriving early on Friday afternoon to have first access to unique items and to enjoy a less crowded shopping experience. Saturday mornings also offer excellent opportunities for leisurely browsing before afternoon crowds arrive. Many artisans bring limited quantities of their finest work, making early shopping advantageous for serious collectors.
Bringing cash is advisable, as some vendors may prefer cash transactions, though many now accept credit cards. Comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for indoor/outdoor transitions help ensure a pleasant experience during extended browsing sessions.
Cultural significance and community impact
The Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair represents more than a commercial event; it serves as a vital mechanism for cultural preservation and transmission. By providing master artisans with a prestigious platform to showcase their work and share their knowledge, the fair helps ensure that traditional Hawaiian crafts continue to thrive in contemporary society.
Many participating artisans use the income from the fair to support their year-round craft practice, purchase quality materials, and invest in teaching younger generations. This economic support directly contributes to the sustainability of Hawaiian cultural traditions and helps maintain the living culture that makes Hawaii unique.
Planning your visit
The two-day format allows visitors flexibility in planning their attendance. Friday afternoon and evening hours accommodate working locals and provide a more intimate atmosphere for serious collectors. Saturday's extended hours make it ideal for families and visitors who want to combine the fair with other Hilo activities.
Visitors traveling from other parts of the Big Island should plan for Hilo's cooler, more humid climate compared to Kona-side locations. Light rain is possible, making the covered stadium venue particularly advantageous. Combining the fair visit with other Hilo attractions like Rainbow Falls, the Lyman Museum, or Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden creates a full Big Island cultural experience.
Photography and memories
While shopping and cultural education are primary draws, many visitors also appreciate the photography opportunities provided by the fair's vibrant displays and cultural demonstrations. Most artisans welcome photography of their work and demonstrations, though asking permission is always courteous and often leads to interesting conversations about their craft.
The fair provides excellent opportunities to document authentic Hawaiian culture and craftsmanship, creating lasting memories of a genuine Big Island cultural experience. Many visitors use their photos to share their experience with friends and family while supporting the artisans they've met.
Mark your calendar for December 5-6, 2025, and prepare to discover the extraordinary talents of Hawaii's master craftspeople at the Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair. Whether you're seeking authentic Hawaiian gifts, wanting to learn about traditional crafts, or simply enjoying a genuine cultural experience, this exclusive fair offers an unmatched opportunity to connect with Hawaii's living cultural traditions. Plan to spend both days exploring the exceptional offerings, engaging with the artisans, and taking home truly unique treasures that embody the spirit of aloha and the artistic heritage of the Hawaiian Islands
