HANAPEPE — Charlie Ortiz, secretary of the West Kaua‘i Lions Club, remembers the Hanapepe Town Park being filled with lights and people during the holidays. His goal in spearheading the first Hanapepe Winter Christmas Festival on Friday at the park
HANAPEPE — Charlie Ortiz, secretary of the West Kaua‘i Lions Club, remembers the Hanapepe Town Park being filled with lights and people during the holidays.
His goal in spearheading the first Hanapepe Winter Christmas Festival on Friday at the park was to return this spirit to the Westside town.
“The stage used to be right here,” Ortiz said. “There would be lights and people everywhere, all happy. This is what we were trying to do.”
The West Kaua‘i Lions Club along with the Historic Hanapepe Town Association joined Ed and Cynthia Justus of the Talk Story Bookstore in trying to restore some of the excitement of the town.
“We’ve got two choirs, one from the Hawaiian Church right here in town, performing,” said Ed Justus. “We’ve also got some other entertainers joining in.”
Christopher Booth was an artist who got started after the Talk Story Bookstore purchased some of his artwork, and he came out to show shoppers his specialty of animal life as well as painted shoes.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if Ed folks hadn’t picked up some pieces,” Booth said. “But people like the animal art and this is something I can do.”
The Hanapepe Winter Christmas Festival is held in conjunction with the Hanapepe Art Walk which draws a fairly good crowd, states a flier from the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
“We have the Talk Story Bookstore all decorated with lights,” said Cynthia Justus. “The other buildings are going to be decked out with lights of the holidays as well, but we’re setting the example.”
Ortiz said the whole idea is to get people to town, drawing on children’s games, craft booths, and exhibits and information similar to the ‘Ohana Winter Night program which ended Wednesday.
“We’ve got the Boys & Girls Club, Waimea Clubhouse, the Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps, the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, and more,” Ortiz said. “The idea is to have something for everyone.”
The weather cooperated somewhat as the heavy rains of Thursday eased up so shoppers could enjoy the offerings.
Young people strutted their pets in the Pet Costume Contest followed by the tree lighting of the Norfolk festooned with decorations from the ‘Ele‘ele School A-Plus students and the Kids Biggest Cookie Contest.
The Friday Night Art Walk continues each Friday through the main street in Hanapepe from 6 to 9 p.m.
