The unique character of each part of the island will be showcased during the Senior Food and Craft Fair, which will open its doors Nov. 17 at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. Open from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.,
The unique character of each part of the island will be showcased during the Senior Food and Craft Fair, which will open its doors Nov. 17 at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
Open from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m., lines are guaranteed to develop along the covered walkway leading to the convention hall doors. As traditional shoppers have discovered, the lavishly displayed food will be devoured as soon as the doors open.
“Our well-known bread pudding and JELL-O desserts are one of the popular items,” said Jaye Alvarez, president of the Kaumakani Seniors, operating out of the Kaumakani Neighborhood Center.
Food items are not limited to desserts as other senior centers also offer a variety of food, many of which have links back to the plantation camp lifestyle where the recipes developed, and are practiced in time for the fair.
“This is unique because there are senior centers from Kilauea to Kekaha, and they all come with food, but it’s all different,” said Melanie Okamoto of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the host of the Senior Food and Craft Fair. “Plus, the event is early enough that people come and pick up the crafts for holiday gift-giving and there is still enough time that they can mail it off in time for Christmas.”
Alvarez said some of the popular selling craft items prepared by the Kaumakani seniors include knitted bottle holders, seasonal jabonkins and decorative fishbowls.
Okamoto said similar to the food offerings, each senior center has its respective “best sellers,” some created using recycled materials. Others are hand-stitched quilts, hand-sewn clothing items and bags.
“At one time, we hosted the Senior Extravaganza, but that has been incorporated into the Senior Food and Craft Fair because each of the senior centers also offer their unique brand of entertainment ranging from versatile ‘ukulele band to dance groups,” Okamoto said. “It’s a great opportunity to experience the pride the kupuna have in their heritage, culture and achievement.”
Call 241-4462 for more information.
