KOLOA — The county’s Sunshine Markets are more than simply produce and fruits, a fact demonstrated Monday at the Koloa Sunshine Market, which opened at noon. “I live in Oma‘o and this is the first time I’m attending this market,”
KOLOA — The county’s Sunshine Markets are more than simply produce and fruits, a fact demonstrated Monday at the Koloa Sunshine Market, which opened at noon.
“I live in Oma‘o and this is the first time I’m attending this market,” said Eugene Jimenez, retired from the county’s housing department. “My wife just retired so we thought we would find out about what this market is about.”
A county monitor at the market said the Koloa Sunshine Market is one of the markets now offering Value Added vendors, a new facet of the market.
Jenna Landagora, a seventh grade student at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, and Jonah Landagora, a first grade student at the Kalaheo Elementary School, were spending the last remaining days of their spring break helping mom, Teri, at her stand at the market.
“There’s no flowers right now,” Teri said. “I need to get creative in the use of greens so I can get through this period of no flowers.”
On the other spectrum, Kaua‘i Community College student Pat Kanantong, a major in hospitality and tourism, was opening her spring break, spending her first day helping vendor Risa Clemmons with citrus and produce greens.
“This is only my third week at this market,” Clemmons, whose farm is in Anahola, said. “We have another farmers market and craft fair coming up April 7 at the Kaua‘i Mini Golf in Kilauea from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
She said vendors interested in participating at that event can call her for information at 652-0236.
Al Sugano, an orchid grower who vends only at the Koloa Sunshine Market, had a glorious assortment of phalaenopsis and dendrobium specimens available, a preview for the Garden Island Orchid Society Spring Fantasy Orchid Show and sale, which will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. April 5 at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall near the Hanapepe Public Library.
The show continues April 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church located at 4481 Kona Road in Hanapepe with a variety of baked goods, food, orchid plants, orchid crafts, and, of course, the always exciting display of award-winning specimens from Kaua‘i’s orchid enthusiasts.
Coinciding with the GIOS event at the Hanapepe UCC, historic Hanapepe town comes alive with the 2013 Kaua‘i Orchid and Art Festival featuring a variety of children’s activities, music, food, workshops, art exhibitions and plein air painting.
A highlight of the event sponsored in part by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua‘i and the Hanapepe Economic Alliance, is the appearance of Makana in concert.
Visit www.hanapepe.org, or call 335-5944 for a complete schedule and times of the different events for the festival.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
