LIHU‘E — Where is the red, Mary Genegabuas?
“I was the Big Save, Kapa‘a Santa,” the matriarch said, filling the big chair reserved for Santa at Santa’s House in Kukui Grove Center. “I used to ride the big fire truck.”
Genegabuas joined Brenda Biehler Turville of Showtime Characters, Macee Martinez and Brandy the mainland shooter in tweaking the final touches of Santa’s House that features a realistic reindeer chomping his cud to welcome visitors across from Jamba Juice at Kukui Grove Center.
“I did the sets direction for the musical ‘Seussical’ (whose final run is this weekend), but I couldn’t do the opening night because I was setting this up,” Turville said. “I had to have Georgia Degracia fill in backstage. Did you see the reindeer whistle?”
Genegabuas noted the table was devoid of any turkey or leftovers, and replaced with Santa’s snacks and breakfast for Mrs. Claus in anticipation of the red-suited gentleman’s arrival on Friday.
Appointments for the professionally done holiday photos are being accepted through the Kukui Grove Center website, kukuigrovecenter.com, and clicking the “Events” tab for booking with Brandy and her crew. Early registration is recommended for best time selections.
Turville said her crew will be setting up a selfie station for those who prefer to do their own photos with a holiday backdrop.
Heedless of the the flying rumors, Santa is going to be at Kukui Grove from Friday in the midst of Black Friday specials.
Brandy wanted to know if they could use Genegabuas if, heaven forbid, Santa gets nipped by the cold bug.
“Nah, that won’t work,” the grandma said. “Even when I was Santa, the kids would all say, ‘I know it’s you, Mrs. Ginnie-Ga-Buas.’”
Melissa McFerrin-Warrack of Kukui Grove said a lot of the tenants will be getting an early start on Friday, starting from about 8 a.m.
“Our first big Black Friday thing is happening at the Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i tent, and at Macy’s that was No. 3 in Wallethub’s Best Places to Shop survey,” McFerrin-Warrack said.
“Then, there’s Target in the Kukui Marketplace that was No. 7 in the Wallethub Black Friday survey. Kukui Grove shoppers are invited to save their receipts from the merchants, big or small, when they spend on retail. They can redeem $250 in pretax receipts for a $25 dining card of their choice. This is just an extra gift for the holiday season,” McFerrin-Warrack said.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
