Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Ho’okupu Center

Amazing service. The perfect location, in town but it seemed so away from the chaos of town. The views are priceless, we could not have asked for a better location. Planning a party can be so chaotic, Helene and the team helped us with great recommendations, made accommodations for deliveries and so much more. I wish more businesses had the Aloha that this team brings to Hookupu!

PRE-COVID 19 Stay At Home Orders:We were watching the local news when I heard about the Free Open House Event for the Ho'okupu Center which occurred on March 14, 2020. Our curiosity was piqued because we wondered about the Center's stated mission as a learning center for under-resourced youth education and training in the green jobs sector and its architectural re-invention or transformation from a dilapidated net drying shed that was left by O'ahu's commercial ahi fishermen. The Ho'okupu Center is located in the Kewalo Basin Harbor Park next to the Harbor Master's facility, there is a free parking lot for park-goers and several parking stalls fronting the center. We were skeptical about going there as this area of this park was commonly known for illegal drug dealing activities, homeless, and delinquency. However, we were pleasantly surprised and impressed with the transformation of this facility and area. The center is managed by Hawai'i's leading environmental educational non-profit organization called "Kupu". Kupu has been using this facility with its Hawai'i Youth Conservation Corps Community Program. Walking into the facility, we noticed its new commercial kitchen, laboratories, classrooms, and meeting spaces that will be used to support Kupu's community and culinary programs for youth and young adults. The center also provides for new spaces where the community can meet for exhibitions, meetings, educational and volunteer events to engage in sustainability, conservation, Hawaiian culture, and service. The facility is now a model of sustainability as it features photovoltaic energy panels to provide net-zero usage. In addition to facility sustainability, Kupu's community program participants will steward the shoreline and park surrounding it. Major sponsors of the new center include:* State of Hawaii* The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.* ALTRES* Ward Village Foundation* Kamehameha Schools* G70* McInerny Foundation* MacNaughton Foundation* Atherton Family FoundationWe were glad that we had the opportunity to check this place out during its Open House and with the hope, we'll be able to attend another function here to support Kupu's Programs. Oh, if I'm not mistaken, it's culinary program is led by Chef Mark "Gooch" Noguchi, Pili Group who can work with to cater your function.

Beautiful setting for my cousin's wedding, albeit during the 2021 pandemic where limited outdoor get togethers of 25 or less and indoor less than 10, crazy but Wedding ceremony was on Zoom and she held two separate receptions that night -crazy! The center is behind the docks, but with gorgeous views and ocean dock settings in the background. Open reception area with outdoor reception and views of the ocean docks. Reception pupu's and buffet was cooked and hosted by the culinary students, very talented and attentive. Pupu's consisted of ahi poke, egg rolls, crab dip and veggies. Buffet had mochiko chicken, beef Kalbi, Chinese steamed fish, fried rice, salads and more. The culinary students are very talented and the food was ono!