LIHU‘E — Most of the items were gone within an hour of the doors opening Saturday. Despite efforts to increase quantities on some of the better sellers, the Lihu‘e Christian Church is dependent on its members’ efforts at creating the
LIHU‘E — Most of the items were gone within an hour of the doors opening Saturday.
Despite efforts to increase quantities on some of the better sellers, the Lihu‘e Christian Church is dependent on its members’ efforts at creating the sought-after foodstuffs, rummage items and quilts.
“Everything is made by the church members, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or the A‘e Kamali‘i Preschool students,” said Joy Miura-Koerte, a church member.
“This is also the church’s major fundraiser for the year, and the proceeds help the church, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scout troops it sponsors.”
Jenny and Jiro Yukimura are regular shoppers at this annual event, but this year it was Jiro’s turn to sit in the car and wait while Jenny browsed through the popular foodstuffs.
The nishime, a Japanese-style stew, and maki-sushi, the rolled-style sushi, are usually the most sought-after delicacies, and this year the nishime was spread throughout the church’s social hall instead of being concentrated just in the food area.
One shopper noted that church member Gail Domingcil has been working at the church since Monday to prepare for the event.
Members turned out during the week to prepare for the event by cutting vegetables and chicken for the nishime and setting up the quilts, many made by members in a tradition enhanced by the late Julie Yukimura of Kapaia Stitchery, who used to turn out scores of hand-made quilts as donations to the church.
Mark Tanaka, whose family manned several different stations at the bazaar, said volunteers turned out from as early as 5 a.m. to prepare for the 9 a.m. opening Saturday.
The bazaar, running from 9 to 11 a.m., has been shortened because most of the items are sold out within the first hour, said Karen Nakamura, co-chair of this year’s bazaar.
“It used to run longer, but most of the items are usually sold within the first hour, and our church members aren’t getting any younger,” Nakamura said.
During the bazaar, parent volunteers, Scouts and troop leaders were busy boxing chicken-hekka plates as a fundraiser, the scouts being dispatched to cashiers to help customers carry their purchases to cars.
Girl Scouts were spread out throughout the selling area, and the older ones were utilized as cashiers to help customers.
Visit www.lihuechristianchurch.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
