The Maricopa Farmers Market was already a fading memory when Kevin Keone Okuma moved to Sorrento five years ago.
He might not have been around to see the market in its heyday, but he’s on a mission to bring it back.
“There’s so much creativeness in our community,” said Okuma, who hails from Hawai’i and said his “aloha spirit” inspires him to bring the community together
“Maricopa is a very special place,” he said, “and as the years have gone by and we’ve seen our city grow … I really wanted to just bring us all together.”
Okuma said it’s his calling to reopen the marketplace, which shuttered in 2017 when its original organizer died.
A sign advertising the Maricopa Farmers Market taken Oct. 27, 2013. The market returns in early 2025 after an eight-year hiatus. [Maricopa Farmers Market]He has created a Facebook page for the market and announced its return on Saturday.
The response so far has been positive with people asking to be vendors and wanting the market to start as quickly as possible. Okuma said his goal is to get the event up and running by January or February as he works full-time for ADT and is doing this in his free time.
“I just want the community to pray this comes to fruition and there aren’t too many hiccups,” Okuma said. “I would love to have this start sooner, but I just don’t want to pressure myself too much.”
Kevin Keone Okuma [Submitted]Okuma is still in the early stages of putting the pieces together and said he is looking for a central location to host the farmers market.
He said he is considering the Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary in Hidden Valley, the Maricopa City Event Center, Copper Sky Regional Park, Pacana Park and Banner Medical Center’s parking lot.
The director of Banner Medical Center said she loved the proposal but was worried about liability. The Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary is very interested in hosting the market, Okuma said, adding the only concern there was blowing dust.
“Parking shouldn’t be a problem,” Okuma said, “but there’s a lot of dust and dirt and I am concerned about people with health problems and having dirt all over the merchandise.”
He said Roots Eatery expressed interest in sponsoring the event.
When Okuma finalizes the venue, he said he plans to host the market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., noting that depending on attendance he would be interested in expanding it to Sundays, too.
“I want to build a name for it, so consistency is key,” Okuma said.
Okuma said he is looking for plant vendors for a garden section, an area for pet adoptions and a petting zoo with the animals from Gud Ark, produce vendors, arts and crafts vendors and food trucks. And the kicker — live music, namely acoustic guitar and vocals.
“That would be a great weekend thing to have,” Okuma said.
Those interested in being a vendor or helping with the market can reach out to Okuma by phone at 480-306-1958.
“I’m spending my time and paying a lot out of my own pocket for marketing materials, the license and the insurance,” Okuma said. “That really just shows how much I’m doing it for my love and light to serve and give back to my community.”
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