Koloa School performers were confused as the closing strains of “Jingle Bells” triggered the arrival of Santa, making one of his first visits of the holiday season Wednesday.
The music also triggered a snowfall, sending the students and their families into an ecstatic frenzy during the closing minutes at The Shops at Kukuiula’s ninth annual Holiday Gift Bags launch during the Kauai Culinary Market.
Koloa School students have been decorating the gift bags for the program that has netted the school more than $15,000.
The bags are distributed to select retailers at The Shops at Kukuiula, and are available for a minimum $1 donation through the holiday season. Each hand-decorated bag is accompanied with a gift tag and is ready to carry its holiday presents.
Principal Leila Kobayashi said proceeds from the campaign are used to fund the after-school clubs that include the Koloa School Keiki Ukulele Band, which offered a concert of contemporary as well as holiday-themed music for the shoppers.
“This is my favorite time of the year,” said Stacie Chiba-Miguel, mall general manager. “I love seeing all those happy faces.”
Chiba-Miguel said there will be more snowfalls between 5 and 6 p.m. Wednesdays during the Kauai Culinary Market in the Palm Court area.
The Shops at Kukuiula will also host a food drive from Dec. 4 to Dec. 13 when the retailers will decorate trees that will be available for shoppers to vote on.
Voting will be done by canned food benefiting the Kauai Independent Food Bank. Everything culminates on Dec. 13 with the Holiday Bash.
“We’ll have snow there, too,” Chiba-Miguel said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
