Old Kapa’a Town Business Hui’s mission is to be an organization that supports business collaborations. These collaborations include group marketing and event planning. We are promoting Old Kapa’a Town not only for the commercial benefits but to educate and preserve the cultural history of this town. Through its efforts, we plan to support community outreach and revitalization projects to benefit the town as a whole.
Jeni Kaohelaulii of Old Kapa‘a Town started to form Old Kapa‘a Town Business Hui in June of 2019 as a community organization to support collaborative events on Kaua‘i’s east side.
To begin, she met with organizers of Keep it Kaimuki to discuss her ideas for Kapa‘a and to research the successes and hurdles of operating in a historic small town of Hawai‘i.
From there, she reached out to other Old Kapa‘a Town small business owners. A question was then pitched to the grassroots group on whether to team-up with an existing non-profit, and if so, which would be best or to start a non-profit of their own; and how can they best reach their collaborative goal?
“As far as ‘little businesses’ go, there was no other organization at that time doing the same efforts,” said Jeni.
And so, at the end of 2019 there was a vote amongst the business owners for Old Kapa‘a Town Business Hui to become a non-profit.
Each member of the board has experience working as a community organizer, or with non-profits.
Together, they make up the board of Old Kapa‘a Town Business Hui and operate as a non-profit.
Both, Natasha and Maile, acclaim Jeni as the “go-getter” behind the organization’s development. But big projects are only possible with collaboration. Jeni provides a vision to collaborate, Natasha is motivated to learn to put together grants and projects, and Malie’s commitment comes from the heart.
They are confident in pursuing this type of work to volunteer their talents, knowledge and time in hopes to better the community of Old Kapa‘a Town and to support small businesses.
Working as a team they’ve successfully secured CARES ACT funds in 2020 and a Rise to Work grant in 2021 for ongoing projects in Old Kapa‘a Town. These funds launched projects in support of the twenty-four members of Old Kapa‘a Town Business Hui, as well as other small businesses on the island.
They believe that together, with each others’ support and the involvement of others, Old Kapa‘a Town Business Hui can strive towards bigger, greater goals in the future; like murals, storefronts refresh, and building a stronger online presence through videos and blogs.
Old Kapa‘a Town Business Hui is a young organization, as they grow they are adding successes to their portfolio, and planning for future goals to continue to support collaborative events and the local community of Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i’s east side.
Walk through Old Kapaʻa Town and visit the restaurants, shops, and services on Kauaʻi's East Side.