LIHU‘E — Joyce Hashimoto has the distinction of being first in line at the Lihu‘e Christian Church Bazaar for at least the past five years. Russell Maeda, working the microphone, announced that aspect of the annual bazaar as doors opened
LIHU‘E — Joyce Hashimoto has the distinction of being first in line at the Lihu‘e Christian Church Bazaar for at least the past five years.
Russell Maeda, working the microphone, announced that aspect of the annual bazaar as doors opened to the marketplace of baked goods, nishime and sushi prepared by the LCC parishioners as well as assortment of quilts and other hand-sewn goods and a rummage section.
“I got here at 6:45 and was the first in line,” Hashimoto said, her shopping basket and a cardboard tray in hand. “You have to get here early before everything goes.”
A few shoppers down the line, Joe and Susan Browne of Twain Hart, Calif. said they plan their trips to Kaua‘i around the LCC Bazaar after experiencing the event on a trip to the island a few years earlier.
“We were eating at Hamura’s Saimin and saw the sign and came to check it out,” Joe said, a book and lounge chair in hand. “After that, we try to plan our trips to Kaua‘i to coincide with the bazaar.”
Joe’s strategy is simple — enjoy the book and sit back to enjoy the morning air while Susan joins the throng of shoppers in search of different goodies, many stopping off at the food area.
“I really couldn’t tell you how long we’ve been doing this,” said Joy Miura Koerte, watching the flow of people through the doors. “It’s been pretty long, though. Karen Nakamura is the chair for this year’s bazaar.”
Punctuating the flow of shoppers, Maeda would prompt people to check out the silent auction area as well as call out random drawings for prizes provided by community businesses.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the LCC Boy Scouts program, the Girl Scouts program and the ‘Ae Kamali‘i Preschool which shares the yard and social hall with the church.
Lisa Iida, coming from a night helping at the scorer’s table at the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation volleyball games, was among the volunteers, being joined by Rochelle Julian as members of the Venturing program, a part of the Boy Scouts of America program, led by Bill Bodenstab.
“There’s the two of us and Elijah Martinez, right now,” Iida said. “We just got through summer camp. Otherwise, we plan events and do various projects. We’ve had a chance to play at the Kaua‘i Mini Golf and had a camp at Ha‘ena.”
Maeda’s voice punctuated the crowd — don’t forget to check the outdoor area where there are potted plants and a food booth, too.
Experienced cashiers quickly tallied customers’ purchases and within 10 minutes of the doors opening, bare spots appeared on the tables which were lined with wares.
“This is why people need to come early,” one shopper said. “I came with my shopping bags. It’s been only 15 minutes and already, look at how much is gone.”
The Lihu‘e Christian Church is a congregation of the United Church of Christ which was formed from the 1957 merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches, states the Super Pages website.
The church offers Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. Call 245-2348 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
