ANAHOLA — Christmas arrived early in Anahola.
East side families gathered on Friday night at a special holiday craft fair where students sang and danced and Santa handed out presents.
In the midst of the crowd, Crissy Marti and Kim Donohue stood out in tall elf hats and bright shirts.
“We’re Auntie Aggie’s little helpers,” Marti said, proudly adjusting her striped hat. “She made us wear these.”
Children ran about with bells on their shoes, in reindeer headbands, or in Santa hats, while older siblings, cousins and neighbors danced for their community.
About a hundred people filtered through the booths, stopping for a game of konane with John Kaohelauli‘i, talking story with neighbors or making sure their keiki signed up for the gift raffle with auntie Sylvia Cole.
Body boards and bicycles, toys and tents were stacked up around a main stage where several kumu were leading their dancers in hula highlighting some of Kauai’s special places. Kids got a ticket from Cole — dressed as an elf — and then waited for the drawing, when it was their turn to get a gift from the pile.
It was all sponsored by the Kalalea Anahola Farmer’s Hui and headed up by hui president Agnes Marti Kini, known as “Auntie Aggie.”
The nonprofit hui holds two markets a week along the mauka side of Kuhio Highway, just past the Whalers General Store in Anahola.
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami dropped by and asked the crowd to answer the question: “What is most important in the holiday season?”
Family and gathering were offered as answers.
But Kawakami had something in mind.
“It’s about giving and forgiving,” he said.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
