HONOLULU (HI Now) - Every spring, Hilo becomes the cultural heartbeat of Hawaiʻi. And Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi is making sure that energy lifts local businesses along with it.
The nonprofit’s One Merrie event, running April 9–11 in Hilo, transforms Merrie Monarch week into a marketplace where culture, art and community come together — and where small businesses across the state get one of their biggest opportunities of the year.
Among this year’s featured vendors is KAMEA, a slow fashion brand founded by designer Jessica Wong, debuting its Merrie Monarch 2026 collection exclusively at One Merrie before it goes online April 13. The collection’s standout piece is an exclusive anthurium print — a tribute to Hilo’s identity as the anthurium capital of Hawaiʻi — crafted from intentional fabrics like Tencel and bamboo.
One Merrie also spotlights everyday local brand Mark Yamanaka and young entrepreneur Charlotte CKB, reflecting the event’s mission to amplify a diverse range of local makers during one of the most-watched weeks on the Big Island.
For more information, visit kakoohawaii.com and follow @kakoohawaii on Instagram. Shop KAMEA’s latest collection at kameadesigns.com and follow @kameadesigns on Instagram.
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