LIHU‘E — Elsie and Mabel Wilcox grew up in the estate that currently makes up the Grove Farm Museum located on Nawiliwili Road in Lihu‘e. The two Wilcox ladies were honored Sunday when the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i hosted its
LIHU‘E — Elsie and Mabel Wilcox grew up in the estate that currently makes up the Grove Farm Museum located on Nawiliwili Road in Lihu‘e.
The two Wilcox ladies were honored Sunday when the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i hosted its first craft fair on the grounds of the historic estate.
“When the Grove Farm Museum asked if we could host the craft fair, Mary Thronas and I decided to honor the two sisters because of the work they did to serve their community and advance the status of women,” said Edie Ignacio-Neumiller, the Zonta president, in an email. “The work done by the two sisters is in line with Zonta International objective of improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy and to work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions.”
Mabel Wilcox, the youngest child of Sam and Emma Wilcox, was determined to study nursing to help with her mother’s fragile health, states the Grove Farm Homestead and Sugar Plantation Museum website.
“Miss Mabel dedicated herself to the health profession by becoming a nurse,” Ignacio-Neumiller said. She traveled internationally to help refugee children and civilians.”
Elsie Wilcox was born in 1879, the third of six children of Sam and Emma Wilcox, according to Judith Dean Gething at the University of Hawai‘i.
She was the first woman in the Territorial Senate and served the public in many capacities, including education where an elementary school, originally started as the Lihu‘e English School, established in 1881, was named in honor of Miss Elsie Hart Wilcox through Senate Resolutions No. 27 in 1955. The resolution described Elsie as “this beloved and public spirited daughter of Hawai‘i for her life devoted to community service,” states the Wilcox Elementary School website.
Enveloped by the rich history of the Wilcox family, the Zonta Club hosted 33 vendors of Kaua‘i Made products. The event launched the holiday shopping season. Beneath a large tent set up on the estate’s front lawn — with music from beneath the kamani tree wafting through the air and through each neighborhood — shoppers could browse through the offerings and take a free tour of the historic houses.
“We have the 33rd Kaua‘i Handworks craft fair coming up on Nov. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wilcox School cafeteria,” said Erlinda Bukoski, one of the vendors whose wares were anchored by a large fabric panel with a singular Christmas wreath and a host of miniature Christmas trees. “I have been at the Kaua‘i Handworks for 30 of those 33 years. I remember how it started when I was a teacher at Wilcox School.”
Debbie Yanagihara, herself a seamstress and quilter and coordinator for the Sheraton Kaua‘i craft fair, said she couldn’t participate in the Zonta fair, but was curious to see the turnout, which filled all available parking spaces and overflowed onto the shoulders of Nawiliwili Road.
“We’ve been busy,” Yanagihara said. “Otherwise, I would have liked to have been here. I have never been to this place, until now.”
The Sheraton craft fair will be held on Nov. 15, this year moving to the resort’s front lawn, Yanagihara said. She added she is still taking applications from vendors interested in participating. Call 742-4047 for more information.
“We’re looking for vendors who hand-create their items and those items are not found in any stores,” Yanagihara said.
Jana Ogle, a student at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, was the youngest vendor, being joined by her mother, Jolene Ogle, as they offered a “Hope” T-shirt, the proceeds of which benefited the American Cancer Society.
“This is Jana’s college fund,” Jolene said. “She’s been drawing ever since she could pick up a pencil.”
Jolene said in 2010, Jana started drawing pigs.
“She drew pigs in different outfits, doing different activities and didn’t stop until she had a collection of more than 200 different pigs,” Jolene said.
“They were so cute and often expressive that I started asking her for specific pigs for birthday cards and other special occasion cards.”
After creating a holiday card and receiving many positive comments from Jolene’s co-workers, Jana proceeded to create a Valentine’s card, a St. Patrick’s Day card and even an Easter card, those steps leading to Jolene’s sister helping Jana copyright Jana’s pigs.
She said the first T-shirt design, “Hope,” will hopefully help create awareness and provide strength, humor and a positive message for those dealing with breast cancer. Part of the proceeds from the “Hope” shirt sales will be given to the American Cancer Society during the April 2013 Relay for Life.
She said to keep an eye out for the “Happiggy Hogidays” T-shirt, which should be appearing soon under the Squeals and Squiggles label.
Stanley Valoroso was one of the exhibitors, drawing a crowd with his collection of wooden and leather saddles. He was interrupted by customers interested in creating leather name tags.
“Everything from the name tags go to the Zonta Scholarship Fund,” Valoroso said. “They’re good people working with other good people from the Grove Farm Museum to create good in the community.”
The Zontians personally welcoming and thanking shoppers to the event, talking about the Zonta Club and its mission and inviting others to its annual Eat Dessert First event which is scheduled for Feb. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
“This is only October, and you might think it’s in February, but before you know it, it’ll be knocking on your door,” said Darrellyn Lemke, the Zonta craft fair coordinator. “It’s never too early to be thinking about dessert.”
Visit www.zonta-kauai.org for more information on the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i. Visit www.grovefarm.org for more information on the Grove Farm Homestead and Sugar Plantation Museum.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
