International Women's Day
Photo story by Jalyssa Kamamo Atualevao
On Friday, Mar. 8, in honor of International Women’s Day, the Campus Recreation—Student Life Center hosted an event for Hawaiʻi Island-based women entrepreneurs that granted them the potential to bring inspiration and motivation into the lives of college students and to the broader communities. Getting to enjoy cuisine offered throughout this beautiful island by these businesswomen–both on a local and international scale–was available during this event, alongside learning the operations of commencing and existing as a business. From food sustainability-related companies like Onomea Farm Country Market and Cafe, to self-healing organizations like Hennasphere, to our very own UH Hilo Women and Gender Studies Humanities Division and UH Hilo Women’s Center, this occasion was filled with femme empowered legacies in the making and among those in Hilo. Ke Kalahea expresses immense gratitude to all the beings and businesses that made this event possible for Vulcans!
Businesses Attended at International Women’s Day Event 2024: Afrofusion, Ital Grindz LCC, Onomea Farm Country Market and Cafe, Balancing Monkey Yoga, Cherry Healing Center Acupuncture Clinic, Hakalau Chocolates, Hennasphere LLC, UH Hilo Global Exchange Program, UH Hilo Women’s Center, UH Hilo Women’s Gender Studies and Humanities Division Department, and just as importantly–Flamin Fanny.
UH Hilo student Imehana Villas Boas (left) observing her order of plant based Ethiopian eatery from Empress Neriah Negus of Ital Grindz LLC (right)
Depiction of authentic Ethiopian dishes such as kik alicha wot (mild split pea stew), ingudai wot (spicy mushroom stew), gomen (sauteed greens), and in lasting honor injera (fermented flatbread), a traditional food staple that imitates edible cutlery (not pictured) made by Ital Grindz LLC.
Empress Neriah Negus also held another business as a Designer and Seamstress alongside her catering business Ital Grindz LLC. Titling the African inspired clothing and accessories business Negus Love Creation she also can be hired as a disc jockey under the name DJ Empress Neriah
Kenicia Godinet (left) and Dorian Salavea (right) giving it a go at world trivia questions as well as about the Study Abroad Program offered on UH Hilo campus
Lovely and brilliant undergraduate gems Ekaterina 'Kat' Rose (left) and Mari 'Mars' Monico (right) enjoying their freshly handmade henna provided by Anita Bhakta owner of Hennasphere LLC that sat adjacent to their sector. Kat and Mars work as our Diversity Student Support for the UH Hilo’s Women Center
Founder and Chief Executive Farmer for Onomea Farm Hub Kalisi Mausio and companions posing for the resemblance of a family photo. Located in Pepeekeo this ulu breadfruit built business is a shop for locally grown products farm to table preparation meals, and offers an educational garden and space to the public.
UH Hilo Chair for the Division of Humanities and Philosophy professor Celia T. Bardwell Jones (right) and Rachel Calvart (left) owner of the yoga studio Balancing Monkey smiling and within conversation after a productive day