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+--- Thread: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market (/showthread.php?tid=13514)
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - dayna - 04-25-2014
I'm going to just keep selling my farms products off my farm. At one point I thought about going to the Makuu market, but it seems to be getting worse for the vendors, not better.
And no, a dollar won't "break" my bank but a dollar is a dollar. I sell eggs, meat and such and those dollars add up to the difference between buying livestock food or not.
Dayna
http://www.FarmingAloha.com
www.E-Z-Caps.com
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - Steve W - 04-25-2014
why do people here not want to pay for anything good? Crabs in the bucket? what's a dollar these days?
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - punafish - 04-25-2014
A dollar ain't worth a dime.
And we're about to find out if "people here" will pay a dollar (or a dime) to park at Maku'u. The market gets to decide.
As others have pointed out, I'd be more worried about the impact of collecting that dollar on traffic flow into the market. It might turn out to be a non-issue. But based on the last big change that Maku'u implemented with the parking lot, well...I'm with Chunkster...better to wait until the dust settles.
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - spunky - 04-25-2014
Several of the people commenting that the fee is no big deal seem to be relative newbies (@Mendo, @SteveB, and Lavalava) who may have no idea lower Puna has one of the highest poverty rates in the entire state.
$1 may be nothing to you, but they charge per entry. There are some elderly vendors that are dropped off and then picked up and their spouses will have to pay $2 per Sunday (for each drop off & pick up.)
It does add up. Maku'u has done wonderful work on improvements in recent years, but I do question the method of gathering funds this way to pay for a community center, especially when it is my understanding the market is on DHHL land.
Like some have already noted, the veggie/fruit vendors are not exactly friendly at Maku'u and I really don't have confidence that the food is grown locally (the garlic comes in bags saying grown in China.)
The selection of fresh flowers is minimal compared to Hilo market.
Traffic will be a mess - count me among the ones staying away until the dust settles.
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - snorkle - 04-26-2014
I think they are making a mistake by charging for parking. that being said, it will blow over and the Market will continue to thrive.
The Maku'u farmers work hard to improve the venue, employ local youth, and I think a Community center is a good idea.
The Market raised the vendor fees a few years ago, and some of the vendors banded together and left for the Pahoa Market. These were mostly the "garage sale" type vendors, and the result was a higher quality market and continued growth and success at Maku'u.
Grumble a little, but don't sweat it too much; enjoy the Community Center when it's completed!
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - Lee M-S - 04-26-2014
instead of charging a parking fee, they should just get a grant from the cops.
the logic: people will park on the highway shoulder to avoid paying the buck. Cops will have to be out there all the time to enforce the no-parking. Over time, that's going to cost the county (that's us) a whole lot more than a buck a car.
><(((*> ~~~~ ><(("> ~~~~ ><'> ~~~~ >(>
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - snorkle - 04-26-2014
The Puna patrol will be on duty anyway. How is that going to cost us money? It may spread them a little thin, but is that the fault of Maku'u, or the illegally parked vehicle owners?
Do you honestly think the County is going to hire more cops to enforce maku'u parking? To change your logic a little; They may give a few tickets, and that will only make the county (that's us )a lot more than a buck a car.
As long as the Maku'u Farmers continue to provide the best venue on the island, the market will thrive.
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - rainyjim - 04-26-2014
Who are these Maku'u farmers you speak of?
Could they be...
-people who farm on their 1 acre lots on Maku'u in HPP?
-people who own the market?
-people who sell the chinese fruit/vegetables?
What is a farmer to you? I'm confused by your use of that word and its qualifier?
----
Aside from that, I've been to a lot of flea markets on this island but no farmers markets(except maybe SPACE) - farmers markets are where farmers bring the surplus food they grow to sell at a venue...this may include "value added products" like tomato sauce via tomatoes or chocolate covered macadamia nuts via cacao and macadamia. Cut flowers are sold by florists, plants from nurseries the rest is generally left to thrift stores, consignment, et al.
The Maku'u market is a flea market and the flea market will probably lose their "driveway" if they try and charge a fee, i'm not against a entry fee, but I do agree with previous posters...there is already a back-up onto the highway at times due to the poorly designed entry for such mass transit - this new addition to traffic by stopping vehicles to obtain an entry fee will only exacerbate the problem.
Despite the lack of services in the district and Maku'us role in filling that gap I have never been comfortable with the obvious favoritism in play by the County et al. in continuing to let such a ... un- safe,permitted,inspected,etc area to be utilized by the public. If someone else wanted to do what Maku'u is doing they would be shut down so quickly. For this reason alone I dislike patroning this eatablishment and its vendors, and for the same reason hope this new issue plays a part in this illegal establishment finally being shut down like all the others who don't 'play by the rules'. Fairs fair.
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - Tink - 04-26-2014
Hate to sound biased here ( I don't qualify yet ), but to provide free entry if you are a senior (65yrs), or can provide proof of "assistance". Again, just my .02 worth... . Farmers Markets are a necessity for those on a fixed budget and high food costs. Another solution is to have "micro markets" within the community where each individual "specializes" in fruits, vegetables, eggs and chickens etc. and trade/barter amongst themselves. I see no "special use permit" needed, as it would be one neighbor giving his garden surplus to another.
Are you a human being, or a human doing?
RE: New fee when you visit Maku'u Farmers market - snorkle - 04-26-2014
rainyjim asks:
"Who are these Maku'u farmers you speak of?"
________________________________________________________________
I apologize. I use a shortened version of their name that I assumed others understood.
The "Maku'u Farmers Association" is the 501C3 non profit group that manages the market on behalf of the Maku'u Farm Lots (Hawaiian Home Lands).
They are in existence to provide a service to the community, and create Hawaiian cultural awareness through the development of their "Cultural Center".
They have been so successful that growing pains are inevitable, but it's a fact that they do all they can to mitigate any problems that arise from their very busy Market. There is a back entrance/exit through the Homelands that the Market staff is trying to get people to use. This is one strategy to ease traffic problems.
As far as "favoritism" by the County; I only know that the planning department has used them as a template for other growing Markets(HOVE). Most others don't have anyone directing traffic, multiple entrances/exits, security, ample parking, etc.
BTW, I am not a member of the Hui; but a long time vendor that appreciates the efforts that these Hawaiians have put into making our community a better place. The nice restrooms (port-a potties originally), the eclectic musical performers, the great variety of food, and interesting people visiting......All this makes Maku'u a fun place to visit on Sunday.