LIHU‘E — The annual Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair may be a place where the entire community goes to have a fun time, play games, eat, watch shows or go on rides. But before all that, the fair is still
LIHU‘E — The annual Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair may be a place where the entire community goes to have a fun time, play games, eat, watch shows or go on rides. But before all that, the fair is still about agriculture, from the farm to the table.
Several kinds of awards were distributed at the fair’s opening day, Thursday.
Marty Amaro had a full day of judging at the fair. Not only was he on the panel for the Kaua‘i Association for Family and Community Education, but later adjourned to the Kaua‘i Coffee Celebrity Chef Cookoff for Charity where diners had a say in judging among the six chefs vying for a contribution to their favorite charity.
Among the diners was George Mukai of Kapa‘a who was earlier awarded High Point winner in the Fruit and Vegetable Show supported by the Menehune Food Marts.
Mukai collected 233 points, edging out the Wooten family of Kaua‘i Kunana which finished in runner up position with 224 points.
Just Green Solutions finished with 80 points followed by Dominga Cubangbang with 63 points, his collection led by a spectacular pink ginger specimen which, in addition to collecting gazes from show viewers, was awarded Best in Show honors.
Pelagia Suetos finished with 33 points.
The Ken Yasutake family also went home big, when Ken was the honoree this year’s fair was dedicated to for his years of volunteerism at the event.
Additionally, Ken helps with the set up and take down of tents for the two community markets coordinated by the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau, said Roy Oyama, president of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau.
Ken’s daughter was showered with proclamations and certificates from the Mayor’s Office, the County Council, the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. She also earned the coveted purple ribbon for Best in Show, with her citrus entry in the Fruit and Vegetable Show.
Lenore Klass of the Kaua‘i Association for Family and Community Education announced the Best in Show winners for the Home Show.
Sharon Gerber was best in the quilts followed by Marina Pascua picking up a Best in Show in needlework.
Gerri Bolosan was best in Arts and Crafts with Marti McHenry getting the nod for Christmas Decor.
Diki Bettencourt, a longtime show exhibitor, captured the Best in Show for Recycled Arts and Crafts and Tucker Guilliano’s “That was the Beatle Concert” earning Best in Show for the youth-only Lego contest, his entry showing a band being admired by a host of crowded Lego people similar to real-life concerts.
Sydney Brady snared the Best in Show in Quilted items and Brooke Kanna was best in Clothing.
Janet Carviero picked up the Best in Show for Yams and/or Sweet Potatoes, this year’s Special Ingredient Contest.
The Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair continues through Sunday.
Visit www.thegardenisland.com and click on the Farm Fair tab, or visit www.kauaifarmfair.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.