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Very little pot smoke? Rumors of violence? Around my children? You are out of your mind!
I understand I am in Hawaii and I am willing to keep an open mind if I smell it at a private party, but MOST certainly not at a place I want to browse local arts and crafts with my children. And sir, "rumors" of violence is not something worth risking the safety of my family!
It astonishes me that this is tolerated! I have never in my life heard of a farmers market having these type of reviews! It sounds to me like these parking fees do not justify the security, at all!
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Oh for God's sake. Don't you know where you moved to? I was at uncle Robert's tonight and had a great time. It's not a farmer's market or is to supposed to be. Crowded? Yes. Lots of folks having a great time. Plenty of tourists as well braving the "dangerous" Kalapana with the spectre of pot smoke and gang related mafia type violence. Sheeeeesh. You folks just have a great time complaining about two dollar parking or people having fun.
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That doesn't sound like you're very open minded CindyBen. If that's your view point... I wouldn't go too far outside your yard if I was you.
I've never had a problem at the "market" in Kalapana. I don't mind paying to park in the lot. Pot smoke? Yep... Though not all the time.
I see quite a few kids there. I think it's a good time.
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I love uncle Roberts, especially for the music , awa and people. Maku'u and Space are great too. Ill never forget my mom looking at some jewelry in Maku'u, it was crowded under the tarp, and someone was smoking up a storm. My mom is pretty naive with all of this, but she was feeling gooood! However she did by to much jewelry. I have smelled weed at all three places. Ive smelled weed at every beach As well. Then Again, Ive smelled weed at most public venues on the mainland too.
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It used to be a pleasant serene area at the end of 137 but all the signs, the upside down American flag, the parking fees, have lessened the natural beauty of the lava flow and hike to the new black sand beach. To me that does not show great respect for the aina. And then we have the concept that certain persons have rights/ownership of the land that belongs to us all as residents of Hawaii island.
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Jackson says;
"You all remind me of the joke about the new restaurant that is going to fail because you can't get a seat. "
Ha ha! The nail on the head Jackson!
Definitely more of an adult venue than Maku'u. Responsible parents should make responsible decisions.
I'm not going to comment on any Kingdom business, but suggest that anyone interested go down and talk to one of the Keli'iho'omalu ohana. They definitely don't bite, and are glad to discuss the issues peacefully as they see them.
BTW, I am in no way related to, or officially connected to any of the Hawaiian families in the area. Just a 30 year Kalapana resident Haole, that has come to love and respect the Kalapana culture.
Others here have a personal vendetta against Uncle Robert's family for perceived wrongs done to them. Take their warnings with a grain of sea salt; or venture down and ask any of the throng of people having a great time if they feel threatened or angry.
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Let's all take a moment to "embrace diversity".
Rule #1: This place is not going to change to suit your lifestyle. Adapt, find a more suitable community, or leave the island.
As each subdivision has its unique flavor, so every "farmers' market" is different. Find the one you like, visit the others if you want.
If you need a completely "sanitized" experience, there's always the Hilo Coffee Mill on Saturday mornings; they do not tolerate drugs, or violence, or any vendor who does not have all their permits. The market is small, but the grounds are lovely.
Makuu is bigger, and more diverse (but still no drugs or violence). Unlike the others, it is not strictly a "farmers' market", so there's lots of other stuff. (Makuu is on DHHL land, so doesn't have to comply with County zoning that might limit the scope of their "market".)
SPACE (assuming County is graciously "allowing" them to have it) is like a little slice of Santa Cruz, and probably the most "keiki-friendly" (semi-enclosed grassy area with climbing structure out back), with the "smoking area" discreetly off to the side. Saturday mornings. Recommend the sourdough pancakes.
Kalani has a range of activities that may or may not include a market; far as I know, their land-use battles with County are mostly a thing of the past.
Hilo market is more "tourist-oriented", with lots of prepared food; from Puna, it's far, and parking is a challenge... but I don't know where else to get coconut tapioca.
Uncle Robert's is more "festival" than "market", very much like the "parking lot scene" at a Grateful Dead or String Cheese Incident concert.
Various subdivisions were also having their own local markets until County stepped in to "clarify" the land-use restrictions. Basically, any non-agricultural use of Ag-zoned land requires a "Special Use Permit"; any "market" is considered a "commercial retail activity", even if it's purely agricultural. (Ironically, Ag zoning grants you the right to sell your own produce at a "fruit stand" along your road frontage, but if several people do it together at the local community center, it becomes a regulated activity, requiring permits for the site as well as detailed excise-tax record-keeping for the vendors.)
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If you don't like it - don't go! What a novel concept...
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Uncle Roberts on a Wednesday is a real Hawaiian kine Ho'olaule'a, not a Farmers Market in any sense...
the event is FREE, walk to it, if you dont want to spend any $$ on parking... thats the point of charging for parking to encourage car pooling and walk ins
besides it being a music based night time event... there is a BIG difference between Maku'u Market and Uncle Roberts on a Wed. BYOB if you try for complain about the beer prices, or just drink some 'awa (kavakava) and enjoy a great night listening to oldschool Hawaiian music by musicians that have been playing down there for generations....
PS. If you see Uncle in his golf cart ...say Hi! he is the closest thing we have to Hawaiian Royalty in lower Puna
aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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Only free when they aren't enforcing an entrance donation. Like back in August.