HANAMA‘ULU — Parents of students at the King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School could not help but be mindful of the school’s “Teacher Wish List” Friday. A King Kaumuali‘i volunteer said the Teacher Wish List was a new facet of the annual
HANAMA‘ULU — Parents of students at the King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School could not help but be mindful of the school’s “Teacher Wish List” Friday.
A King Kaumuali‘i volunteer said the Teacher Wish List was a new facet of the annual book fair which coincided with the school’s mini carnival event, attracting a collection of parents, students and community residents who were drawn by the appeal of activity taking place on the school campus.
“The Teacher Wish List has been more popular than we anticipated,” the volunteer said. “Shoppers can browse through the slips of paper containing titles the teacher wants to add to the library. If they want to participate, they find the title, attach the tag to the book after paying for it and the teacher gets it, Monday.”
With the closure of Borders Books & Music, book events have been more popular than ever.
‘Ele‘ele Elementary School has traditionally tagged on a book fair to coincide with its annual craft fair which usually signals the start of the holiday season.
Starting in October, for holiday shoppers looking to meet the deadlines for mailing and shipping in time for the holidays, the ‘Ele‘ele School Craft and Book Fair is one of three craft events taking place on Oct. 27, the ‘Ele‘ele event running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and featuring some unique events created by the school’s classes.
Donna Fuji, a teacher at ‘Ele‘ele School and an avid crafter, said there has long been a need for a listing of the different craft fairs being held around the island to coincide with holiday shopping.
“Karin Panui, another avid crafter, and I were discussing about having a craft fair schedule in The Garden Island newspaper,” Fuji said in an email. “I volunteered to compile it, and these are the one who responded to my calls, or emails.”
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i will be hosting its first craft fair this year on Oct. 21 at the Grove Farm Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Carla Kaser, who was helping at the Zonta table during the county’s 6th Annual Health and Wellness Fair Thursday.
“Darrellyn Lemke is in charge of the craft fair and is still accepting applications from vendors of ‘Kaua‘i Made’ products,” said Kaser, a docent with the Grove Farm Museum. “Interested vendors can call her at 482-0282.”
Edie Ignacio, the president of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i, said they plan on taking advantage of the Grove Farm Museum’s Smithsonian National Museum Day open house this Saturday to scope out the historic facility to best show off the crafters and their wares when the fair opens, Oct. 21.
Oct. 27
‘Ele‘ele School Craft and Book Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.
On another part of the island, Koloa Union Church will host its craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants in the Kaua‘i United Way Walk-a-Thon can stop off at the Lihu‘e Lutheran Church who will host its craft fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 3
The Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea will hold its annual fundraising craft fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring many items from the hospital’s auxiliary and the community.
The Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall is the site for the Ben Franklin annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring many hands-on as well as make-it-and-take-it stations hosted by Ben Franklin.
Nov. 10
Coinciding with the annual Veterans’ Day Parade in Kapa‘a town, the K.I.D.S. School annual craft fair will open from 8:30 a.m. and run through 3:30 p.m., featuring not only crafters, but ono food prepared from its supporters as well as a silent auction and hands-on keiki activity stations. One of the popular facets of this event is the rummage area where bargains are worth rummaging for.
Nov. 17
The St. Michael and All Angels Church hosts its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring a lot of unique items from crafters who only appear during this event.
Nov. 24
This is traditionally one of the bigger craft fairs, taking place during the Thanksgiving weekend at the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School cafeteria from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., although the bulk of the activity takes place when the doors open as shoppers line outside the doors and overflow into the school’s parking lot.
Originally hosted by the school’s teachers, the event also features unique items, including items from some of Kaua‘i’s well-known artists and crafters.
Dec. 1
The All Saints Church in Kapa‘a will host its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the All Saints Gym in Kapa‘a with an offering of not only crafts, but a selection of ono grinds prepared by the church members.
Fuji said this was a preliminary listing based on people who responded to her inquiries.
There are others who post notices on their walls or community bulletin boards, including the Lihu‘e Christian Church, which hosts its annual bazaar on Oct. 6, with doors opening from 9 to 11 a.m. in the church’s social hall at Kress Street.
This is another event where lines form in anticipation of the door openings due to its offering of local-style crafts, baked foods, sushi, nishime, fresh produce, a wide selection of hand-made quilts and more.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
