Kukui Grove Center hit one out of the park over the weekend.
“The first day of spring is March 21,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, KGC specialty leasing and marketing manager. “We have the Spring Break Family Fun Day to launch the Department of Education spring break, St. Patrick’s Day fun, and two blessings for new businesses. Spring is a time of rebirth and hope — this is the start of spring week for us.”
Aaron Swink of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources was busy Saturday, working under a tent near the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery center and distributing more than 200 grab-and-go, ocean-learning kits to an almost-constant stream of families taking advantage of the made-for-shopping weather and the county’s closure of parks and athletic fields through Monday because of inclement, blustery weather.
Partnering with the Princeville Public Library and the Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i store at KGC, Swink’s offering included activity books, word puzzles, coloring pages, information on identifying tidal-pool and near-shore life, embellished with the offering of a pocket-sized tide chart and current fishing regulations.
“This was really good,” said an anonymous shopper on the mall. “They had good material, and we had to make sure we had some for the Deja Vu store, too. There even was a point where there was a line of people waiting to get the kits.”
Tying in with the ocean theme, Jenny Ortal said a keiki-activity station featured do-it-yourself kits using glass bottles to turn into vases with fresh flowers as well as scallop shells being turned into planters with glass bead decorations. Jarrin Shigemura, area manager for Spectrum, added his beach-bucket adventure kits and accompanying sun shades.
Sunday, the theme changed to St. Patrick’s Day, with Macee Martinez unveiling a pachinko-style game offering gold coins in a small kettle as a premium, Brenda Biehler of Showtime Characters creating shamrock balloon sculptures, and the Lucky Leprechaun doing a jig and posing with families at the selfie stations.
“They’re going to do adult versions of these games Wednesday at the actual St. Patrick’s Day lunchtime,” Martinez said. “There will also be giveaways and a lunchtime lucky draw.”
For those on the go, Kaua‘i ParTea came up with a trio of St.
Patrick’s Day treats, including a green river with white lychee jelly, a honeydew drink with boba, and a Melona ice cream treat that Mary Zhau brought over so Halene Leasiolagi could get it on the shopping center’s social media.
“Kaua‘i entrepreneurs continue to inspire me every day as they take the challenges of the past year and show us the opportunity to create new services and experiences for our local community and anticipating what is needed, next,” McFerrin-Warrack said.
She confirmed the opening of KATink, one of the newest businesses, opening across from Kaua‘i Bakery and next to Cricket Wireless. “I had to confirm their opening celebration for Saturday starting at 4 p.m. This week, the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce honors women entrepreneurship, and Kat Jerves of KATink makes a great addition to Kukui Grove Center, complimenting the other women-owned-and-operated businesses like Kaua‘i ParTea, ProfessioNail, Aloha Dance Studio, Jane, Small Fry Kaua‘i, the Flip Flop Shop, Kuleana Workspace, and Do U Fitness, the last two shops opening during the past year.”
KATink offers “semi permanent make-up,” including microblading and powder brows, eyeliner, lip blush, needleless lip fillers, tiny tattoos, lightening and removal.
With her appointment book full, Jerves can be reached at 652-9935, or visit her website, katinkhi.com.
Kumu hula Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza and Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani will bless their new space adjacent to the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery Saturday.
“Their blessing is Saturday,” McFerrin-Warrack said, “but they’ll start doing classes from Monday (today).”
Kinimaka-Alquiza said this new home will not only feature hula classes, but will have a display space for Hawaiian artifacts with descriptions, and a wall devoted to kumu hula who influenced the development of Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani, including Kinimaka-Alquiza’s sister Keala Senkus.
“The kumu are going to shine,” Kinimaka-Alquiza said. “I can’t believe that, after all these years, we have a new home. We can’t use the space at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall because they have it committed through the year. Now we have this space where we can start classes Monday. Under the pandemic rules, we’re only allowed eight students at a time, but this is home.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
