KAPA‘A — Isobel Storch of Lanipo Farms said she likes the location, Monday as the county opened its second sunshine market at the Kapa‘a Beach Park.
“We’re just trying to get out there a little at a time,” said Storch, a vendor participating in other farmers markets around the island. “This is close to the library and Lani Kawahara the library’s branch manager is supposed to come shop. And, it’s right on the beach.”
Lanipo Farms was one of more than a dozen vendors that braved the threatening weather to open the Kapa‘a Sunshine Market where face masks and other social distancing measures were in effect and monitored by staff from the county’s Office of Economic Development.
“As the County of Kaua‘i begins to reopen the economy, we will pilot the reopening of two of our Sunshine Markets in Hanapepe and Kapa‘a,” said Nalani Brun, director of the county’s OED in a press release. “Signs will be posted at each market to inform shoppers of proper COVID-19 safety guidelines, and volunteers will also be present to ensure social distancing measures, and the wearing of face masks are followed.”
The 2 p.m. start time is a departure from the traditional market that was formerly located at the Bryan J. Baptiste Memorial Sports Park across from the Kapa‘a Armory and open Wednesdays starting at 3 p.m.
Market continues until all produce is sold, or no later than 5 p.m. at the Kapa‘a Beach Park.
Earlier, the county’s OED opened the Hanapepe Sunshine Market last Thursday at the park located behind the Hanapepe Fire Station. That market opened at 2 p.m. and was available until all produce was sold, or no later than 4 p.m.
“We had a good crowd of shoppers,” said Marty Amaro of the county’s OED. “They weren’t there the entire time, but instead came in surges from the opening until closing.”
Amaro observed that with the opening of the two county’s Sunshine Markets, the availability of farmers markets, both privately presented and county, for shoppers now is island-wide.
The Office of Economic Development will announce openings of other Sunshine Markets throughout the island in the near future.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
