LIHU‘E — Hundreds of people took advantage of the Lihu‘e United Church’s 33rd Labor Day Breakfast to get up early Monday. “I was up early Sunday for the Kaua‘i Special Olympics Benefit Ride,” said Jack Wilhelm. “And then, I thought
LIHU‘E — Hundreds of people took advantage of the Lihu‘e United Church’s 33rd Labor Day Breakfast to get up early Monday.
“I was up early Sunday for the Kaua‘i Special Olympics Benefit Ride,” said Jack Wilhelm. “And then, I thought ‘Oh no, I have to get up early Monday too.’ But, when I got here with the other (motorcycle) riders, it’s all good.”
Laurel Loo, who co-chairs the event with Joye Irwin, said the church sold more tickets than last year.
“We sold between 550 and 575 tickets this year,” Loo said. “This is definitely more than last year, and we still have 40 minutes to go.”
Loo said proceeds from the annual event benefit the St. Michael’s Loaves and Fishes food pantry which serves people in need. The breakfast proceeds’ beneficiary changes each year.
Breakfast was served between 7 and 10 a.m. with the majority of diners arriving after 9 a.m., one of the church volunteers observed.
“This is a good deal,” said Mark Marshall, Loo’s husband. “We try to keep the prices low since everything keeps going up. All of the other organizations keep raising the prices, but this is a benefit.”
Prices hovered at $6 for an adult ticket for the menu which included scrambled eggs, sausage, pastries, many of which were contributed by church members, and a wide variety of fresh fruit. Children between 5 and 11 years old were assessed $4 and anyone younger than 5 years old was free.
“You can’t beat this,” said one of the motorcycle enthusiasts. “You get a big breakfast and the price even includes drinks.”
Volunteers Stan and Marie Yadao headlined entertainment for the steady stream of breakfast diners, taking a break when the Llago family members offered up a hula interlude before the Tabian sisters, Loke and Melissa, took the stage with their prowess on ‘ukulele and vocal renderings of local favorites.
“My grandfather was a pastor at this church for 25 years since 1896,” said John Lydgate, one of the stream of diners. “This place was a museum and a library in addition to being a civic place.”
