KALAHEO — A steady stream of people flocked through the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center as they took in the annual Kalaheo School Winter Bazaar recently. Divided between a food section, a crafts section, and even a special “Cake Walk” game section,
KALAHEO — A steady stream of people flocked through the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center as they took in the annual Kalaheo School Winter Bazaar recently.
Divided between a food section, a crafts section, and even a special “Cake Walk” game section, an abundance of things greeted the people as they worked to find suitable parking spaces in the crowded facility.
Vicky Ramos of Crochet 808 was one of the many crafters on hand for the event, and used her granddaughter, Moani Genegabuas, a third grader at the school, to model a just-completed poncho created using the eyelash yarn that is popular in many lei.
Ramos said this was her second-to-last craft fair for this year’s holiday circuit, her final one being last weekend’s Fantasy Faire in Kapa‘a.
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School’s Keauhou, or New Beginnings program, took advantage of the gathering to help raise funds for their students as well as offer some unique holiday ideas that were created by staff and students.
Encompassing a wide range of students, Lesa Wee, one of the program’s leaders, explained that they created their own blend of meat seasoning (the aroma beckoned shoppers from all sections of the gym), a special dry-mix muffin recipe, and cocoa, all attractively packaged in reusable mason jars.
John Krause, one of the program students, was proud of his part in creating the offering as he hawked the meat seasoning packages, reciting the ingredients by heart.
In addition to the trademark seasoning, the program members also had available a variety of baked goods including cookies, and several pies, as well as the popular Spam musubi snack that were picked up as strains of the Kalaheo School Sunshine Express signaled the start of their evening performance.
Edee Bandmann, who normally coordinates craft fairs, eagerly recruited the fledgling crafters, and invited them to be a part of the upcoming Kauaian Days festival after she picked up a quantity of the seasonings as Christmas presents.
Col. Jerald Knudsen of the Kapa‘a High JROTC program was on hand to watch his granddaughter’s Sunshine Express performance, but made it a point to arrive early so he could take in one of the many food offerings that centered around a chicken plate. Other choices included a chili bowl with a wide variety of cold drinks, and Kaua‘i Coffee to wash everything down with.
Similarly, Teresa Koki of the mayor’s office was on hand with her ‘ohana to enjoy an early dinner while meeting and talking with acquaintances from around the island, the craft arena offering a nice place to catch up on the latest Kalaheo happenings.
Aspen Humiston, a Kalaheo School fifth grader, clung to their “Cake Walk” winnings as her classmate Jenna Muschara enjoyed discovering the workings of a wooden “Climbing Bear,” while Cory Neri was more interested in some of the other wooden-toy creations, a perfect way to end a busy week.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
