Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2006 — Hale Noa no more? [ARTICLE]

Hale Noa no more?

For six years, the Hale Noa 'awa bar in Kapahulu has been a plaee where progress and tradition found eonmion ground. The bar observes many of the traditional protocols associated with 'awa, such as only opening at night and serving only pūpū. But adhering to some of those traditions has put Hale Noa at a definite financial disadvantage. "We've never been about business for business's sake," says owner Keoni Verity. "It's always been about creating a traditional experience and letting the bottom line work itself out." Unfortunately, that bottom line hasn't been working out. Verity said that he is now forced to import 'awa from Vanuatu because he doesn't have access to locally grown, mature 'awa plants, whieh aren't ready to be harvested until they are about two or three years old. He says that Hale Noa has aeeumulated a lot of debt, and he's now having difficulty paying bills because of the extra $2,000 a month it costs to ship 'awa to Hawai'i. "That's crippling for a business that's already kind of marginal," he said. "It could be the axe." Verity said that if Hale Noa can't raise enough funds, they will close at the end of February. In January, Hale Noa held a fundraiser at Bishop Museum and recently formed a nonprofit affiliate to make it easier to obtain grants. "We were already profitless, we figured we might as well make a nonprofit," one employee quipped. To make a financial donation to Hale Noa, eall 735-4292 or visit supporthalenoa.com. Hale Noa is located right next to Pizza Hut on Kapahulu Ave. and is open Monday through Saturday, from 8 p.m. until midnight. Visit its website at halenoa.com. ^