There were a lot of firemen Saturday when Kukui Grove Center wrapped up its 2020 Halloween events that took place under the canopy of COVID-19 safety measures and guidelines.
“There are a lot of firemen and Princess Elsa (from the Disney’s Frozen movie),” one volunteer said as the passing fire truck prompted her to think of firemen. “There’s only one Baby Yoda, and only one Baby Waldo, too.”
Ron Wiley, the on-air personality from KQNG Radio Group, said he thought Waldo was one of the virtual costume contest winners, the contest being a part of a calendar of offerings to celebrate Halloween.
Waldo was at the shopping center to pick up his special goodie bag.
“We sold out early,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, mall promotions coordinator. “There were only 200 special Halloween goodie bags. But there are a number of other stations offering trick-or-treat goodies for people to enjoy.”
Divina Plowman chaperoned the Kaua‘i student government representatives from the three public high schools who offered a first-ever scavenger hunt with ample rewards for answering questions, solving hints and, eventually, completing the hunt at Emerald City, where a pair of stilted witches from Soulfire greeted a wandering Princess Elsa.
“How did they do that?” RoseAnne Jones of the Kaua‘i Society of Artists wanted to know as she wheeled out pieces of the 2020 ART Kaua‘i exhibition. “Are they sitting on top of someone? The art show wraps up today. The next KSA event takes place Nov. 14 when we start accepting entries for the Small Works Show.”
McFerrin-Warrack reminded Freaky Friday patrons of the Spooky Shop and Dine program that ended Saturday, where Kukui Grove shoppers who totaled $150 in receipts earned a $20 gift card to any of the mall’s eating places. Freaky Fridays include pop-up dancing by performers from the Aloha Dance Studio and is a fundraiser for the studio located near the Macy’s department store for its dancers to compete in off-island competition.
“I’m here to deliver,” said Cynthia Young. “People order from Oki’s Box Lunch, and I come to pick up their orders and deliver to them. Today, is mostly in the Puhi area, and then I’m pau.”
Jamie Politoski watched as Ella Marcil of Kaua‘i Bakery was kept busy handing out special cake pops to keiki in costume.
Politoski was waiting on her time on the virtual Girl Scout Cupcake Ware Challenge being waged across Hawai‘i by Girl Scouts in the safety of their homes.
“This is for all the Girl Scouts,” Politoski said. “We’re doing a tour of Kaua‘i Bakery, including the cake pops, and in the back, I get to show them some tricks on creating cupcakes. The Girl Scouts create their own cupcakes, have it judged, and earn a patch for the activity.”
Maurina Borgatti and Carolyn Lum of the Kaua‘i Landscape Industry Council manned a table reminding people to visit the drive-thru plant giveaway Nov. 7 to celebrate Arbor Day.
“Arbor Day is always the first week in November,” Lum said. “We’re giving away more than two dozen different plants for people to plant at their home. Three per family and no charge, starting at 9 a.m.”
There are more than a thousand plants available for giveaway, and no appointments are necessary, Just drive up.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
