LIHUE – The million dollar question is “How much popcorn has a woman made who has been popping and scooping for just shy of 50 years? The answer is easy for Eme Hoopii, an American Samoan who is a vendor
LIHUE – The million dollar question is “How much popcorn has a woman made who has been popping and scooping for just shy of 50 years?
The answer is easy for Eme Hoopii, an American Samoan who is a vendor at the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair.
“One too many,” said the 73-year-old popcorn, caramel apple and cotton candy vendor. “I don’t eat popcorn. Just the smell is killing me.”
But it’s the smell, the taste, the sights and the sounds that bring thousands – 35,000 in 2013 – to the largest Kauai community event of the year. Melissa McFerrin Warrack has been coordinating the fair for the past seven years.
She is one of the more than 100 volunteers between the ages of 8 and 80 who make the magic of the fair come alive.
“This is the Disneyland on Kauai for many of our kids,” she said.
It’s a huge undertaking, one that Warrack said can’t be done without community support.
“They come out to build a fair for one weekend and if that isn’t a sign of a vibrant community, I don’t know what is,” she said.
And while the event is known for its fun-filled moments and day-after stomach aches from overeating, its purpose is to also benefit the community year ‘round as well.
Tara Fernandez, president of the Koloa Football Association, oversaw dozens of volunteers serving and cooking up massive amounts of food.
“Kyle Schumacher donated three cows from his ranch again this year and Willy Sanchez and Tierra Rapozo cut and chilled the homegrown beef,” Fernandez said.
The majority of the money raised from the food sales goes to equipment for the football players and cheerleaders.
Besides the beef, the food supply for the four-day event includes 800 pounds of chicken, 600 pounds of pork and more than 1,000 corn dogs.
Across the aisle from the Koloa School booth was the Island School booth where volunteers were working fast and furious over hot grills.
Chris Calio, a training sergeant for the Kauai Police Department, was one of eight volunteer chefs.
No special training was needed, just a willingness to put in long hours.
“I barbecue at home the same way,” Calio said.
But the quantities at home are nowhere near those at the fair – 1,000 pounds of beef for Island School alone.
Kelly Vazquez has been attending the fair since she was born. She loves the rides, the games and the sweet treats.
“I’m trying the deep-fried Oreos. They are really good. Want one?” she offered.
Rico Obar from Kilauea wasn’t about to share any of his funnel cake. The powdered sugar confection was a well-deserved dessert after making his way out of The Maze attraction.
He planned to return to the fair a second time on Saturday.
So with all the merriment, what are the by-products of the 4-day agricultural event?
Trash.
“There’s a lot of cups, a lot of paper, a lot of plastic,” said volunteer Joseph Dunsmoor.
And from the comments by tired out fair-goers heading back to the parking lot Thursday night, there’s a lot of fun.
The fair continues noon to midnight today and from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday at Vidinha Stadium.
Lisa Ann Capozzi, a features and education reporter can be reached at lcapozzi@thegardenisland.com
