LIHU‘E — More than 75 buyers, including several walk-in buyers, took advantage of the Kaua‘i Made trade show last week to get an idea of the different offerings available from members of the Kaua‘i Made program. “This is better than
LIHU‘E — More than 75 buyers, including several walk-in buyers, took advantage of the Kaua‘i Made trade show last week to get an idea of the different offerings available from members of the Kaua‘i Made program.
“This is better than last year,” said Beth Tokioka of the Kaua‘i Made program. “We had several buyers fly in from the Neighbor Islands, the Navy Commissary and a lot of buyers from Kaua‘i outlets.”
The buyers were able to browse through a wide range of products and services Tuesday from nearly 30 vendors, one of which left early after running out of product.
“This is exciting,” said Karin Panui of Mailelani’s, offering sewn products utilizing a wide range of fabric from Japanese kimono to bold Hawaiian prints. “We got several people who were interested. The Navy Commissary wanted us to hurry up and send them the Universal Product Codes because they said the items would really sell.”
Panui, a successful vendor at the local craft fairs, tends to be selective in which events she vends her high-quality sewn items, going so far as to stay on Kaua‘i because of fears someone would “steal” her ideas if she shows at Neighbor Island trade shows.
Being joined by her sister, Madi Otani-Shelton, who moved home after spending 35 years in Texas, Panui now has extra hands helping her sew and can afford to look for other markets.
“After 35 years in Texas, she finally came back home to help me sew,” Panui said.
Laura Cristobal, already earning a Navy Commissary spot, said The Salty Wahine also received about six or seven serious inquiries about its line.
The Salty Wahine is a repeat vendor at the trade show along with Cristobal’s sister, Lori Cardenas, of Aunty Lilikoi products.
After selling out in her first appearance at the Koloa Plantation Days craft fair, Shinil Quilty took her products of Shinil Candle & Soap seriously and amped up her production.
“I couldn’t believe I sold out the very first time out,” Quilty, an aromatherapist, said of her offerings of aromatic candles and olive oil soap. “I’ve been to several other events and the items have been selling out. There are not too many people who offer what I have.”
Quilty pointed out that she is still working to complete her website, but believes the selling point is the tin candle holder, which allows visitors to easily pack the candles for the journey home.
Tokioka said Shinil Candle & Soap is the newest member of the Kaua‘i Made program, joining about a month ago.
Pam Brown, author of “Kaua‘i Stories: Life on the Garden Island Told by Kaua‘i’s People,” agreed the trade show was successful.
“We only have proofs of the book, but I already got a solid order and inquiries from six or seven other places for the book,” Brown said. “Just getting that one order was worth being here.”
She, like Quilty, has been doing several showings at different events around the island, her debut being at the Koloa Plantation Days.
Melissa McFerrin, executive administrator and event coordinator for the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau and the Kaua‘i Grown program, said the next time people will be able to see so many Kaua‘i Made vendors in a single area will be the annual joint Kaua‘i Grown and Kaua‘i Made Holiday Celebration on Dec. 15 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Community College.
“We were going to do this event closer to Christmas, but this way, people still have time to shop and ship so items get to their destination by Christmas,” McFerrin said. “All crafts and gift products at this event must be from a member of the Kaua‘i Made program.”
Registration for the holiday celebration are currently being accepted and interested vendors can call 337-9944 for more information or an application form.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
