Santa in Paradise’s wings have been trimmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He is not able to make his many appearances during the holidays to meet children and families who wait all year to visit the jolly icon of Christmas.
Santa in Paradise’s wings have been trimmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He is not able to make his many appearances during the holidays to meet children and families who wait all year to visit the jolly icon of Christmas.
“I get sad not being able to do the magic of Santa like before COVID,” Santa (aka Phil Worwa) said during the virtual reverse Lights on Rice parade, where he was escorted by Miss Kaua‘i Filipina Tiffany Sagucio. “I can perform on the back of the truck in the driveway.”
Santa does get to join Ron Wiley on KQNG Radio Saturday starting at 9 a.m. after a California resident successfully bid for an hour with Ron — The Santa Hour.
Saturday is also the Small Fry Kaua‘i event with its mini market pop-up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e, featuring some of Kaua‘i’s small businesses. Small Fry Kaua‘i (they’re in KGC too) and the Keiki Book Club (with Usborne Books & More) will host a Santa Storytime (with Kaimade Milk Cookies) from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is required because of the limited seating and the need to observe social distancing and wear face masks.
Kay Koike came in from the Westside to look for the ulu-flour-based cookies being sold by Bella Ziest (who said they need chocolate chips?) as a fundraiser for keiki attending the Monday, Dec. 21 Keiki Christmas at the Kapa‘a Community Food Pantry (they’re located inside The Kaua‘i Store). Lourdes Torres of Sustainable Boost (it’s their flours) made sure Laurie Ho (Amy Chun went home early), Bill Spitz, Melissa McFerrin-Warrack (she loved the ulu cookies) and the Pau Hana Market crew all had samples.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
