KAPA‘A — For many residents, the half-mile stretch of Kuhio Highway snaking through downtown Kapa‘a is known for traffic jams or as the gateway to the North Shore. But a group of small business owners are working to change that
KAPA‘A — For many residents, the half-mile stretch of Kuhio Highway snaking through downtown Kapa‘a is known for traffic jams or as the gateway to the North Shore.
But a group of small business owners are working to change that perception and brand downtown Kapa‘a as a lively dining and shopping destination through its monthly First Saturday in Old Kapa‘a Town event.
During the first Saturday of each month, businesses keep their doors open late and invite people to wander through their shops, listen to live music, watch fire dancers, sample foods and meet local artists.
“I’ve been part of working for businesses or having a business in this area for 12 years,” said Angelique Ell, owner of a.ell design. “I’ve always felt that there are great, totally unique businesses here.”
When Ell moved her store to its current location facing Kuhio Highway, she wanted to highlight local businesses and products made by local artisans.
“I just wanted to change the perception and draw attention to the businesses,” Ell said.
“I wanted people to realize, if you come into these businesses and you buy an orchid from (Orchid Alley), that’s feeding (the owner’s) family. It’s a small little connection, and this small little area is packed full with businesses like this.” Ell spoke with local business owners and began Old Kapa‘a Town Art Walk in 2009.
“We’ve seen it grow a lot,” said Xochitl Garcia of Java Kai, who has been involved with the event since its inception. “The whole point for me was to have something fun for everyone to do in old Kapa‘a town. There’s not a lot going on. It’s to promote businesses but to also have a fun event.”
In an effort to include a larger mix of businesses, the group renamed the event to First Saturday in Old Kapa‘a Town in December 2011.
The name change brought new businesses on board, with establishments between Pono Market by Inia Street and De Ja Vu Surf Outlet by Niu Street joining in.
“The reason we are participating is because there are a lot of great small businesses in Kapa‘a town, and we want to collaborate to bring something good to the community,” said Sara Miura of Deja Vu Surf Outlet.
Vicky’s Fabrics recently re-joined in the Saturday evening festivities after an unsuccessful run when the event was geared toward art.
“When they started the First Saturday, (Vicky’s Fabrics) would stay open a couple of times, but there wasn’t a lot of business,” said Maile Bloxsom of Vicky’s Fabrics. “When I came to help run the store … I said let’s try it and be supportive of the area and the community.”
During the first month the store stayed open in December, Bloxsom said the business made $50 during the extended hours. The revenue has steadily increased with each passing month — the store took in $200 during its last outing — but the store’s goal is to support the community and vendors who patronize the business by inviting them to sell their products during the Saturday event.
“I think for all of us, we realized it wasn’t going to be mean sales during that Saturday night, but it meant that you exposed more and more people so they come back another day,” Garcia said. “People want to support local businesses.”
At Orchid Alley, owner Fely Sams said she is looking toward the future when she participates in the Saturday night events.
“For me, it’s the future I’m looking at,” Sams said. “For Valentine’s Day, I had a lot of people from the North Shore come by and it was a pleasant surprise because they remembered me from Saturday night.”
Part of the business owners’ goals are to host annual events with tie-ins to Kapa‘a-centric events, and they are working with the Kapa‘a Business Association to have an event related to the Coconut Festival.
“There’s so much potential here to do more, and to enrich people and businesses here,” said Kathy Cowan, owner of Alley Kat Art. “Economically, it’s viable to have events here where it draws a lot of people because there’s much more going on.”
The group is taking “baby steps” toward its goal of branding downtown Kapa‘a as a fun, family-friendly destination. The group formed a mission statement. The group is working on finalizing a logo and expanding its borders to incorporate businesses further north. Another goal is to cross-promote each other’s businesses to attract more customers.
“I had someone come into my store from the North Shore. She had a day off, and she said she wanted to wander through the shops in the area,” Ell said. “I thought, ‘Yes, it’s working.’”
The next First Saturday in Old Kapa‘a Town is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Alley Kat Art will be hosting watercolor artist Patrice Pendarvis, and the Roxy Building will celebrate the opening of Sugar Mill Cupcakes.
For more information, visit Old Kapa‘a Town’s Facebook page.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
