LIHU‘E — Tisha Ruiz of the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i said everything was last-minute on Friday while she got help from Michelle Panoke and Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i board member Sonia Topenio at the parking lot behind the Kaua‘i Museum.
“Chucky Boy Chock, the director of Kaua‘i Museum, called to see if we could do this,” Ruiz said. “He couldn’t do it. This is the first time we’re doing this.”
Ruiz said about a dozen vendors were scheduled to set up following lunch, and remain open until the Lights on Rice holiday parade ends at about 8 p.m.
“We’re selling our black trademark shirts,” Ruiz said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Joining the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, the outrigger canoe paddling food booth were already fielding orders for their trademark Hawaiian plate lunch that was served for many years as part of the Kaua‘i Museum craft fair that accompanied the Lights on Rice parade.
“I’ve had enough time to make batches of the latest flavors,” said Elena Camat of Elena’s Gourmet Kaua‘i Pretzels who was already set up. “I’ve lost track of how many pretzels I’ve made.”
Camat, who started making pretzels as a fundraiser for her son’s soccer travels and expenses, said she’s got four stations scheduled for Saturday starting with two at the Grove Farm Market where her regular tent will be joined by one in the addition of the craft tents.
She’s also scheduled a station with the Little Pea’s Holiday Market benefiting the Kaua‘i Hospice at the former Pier 1 store, and she’ll round out the day with a station at the Kapa‘a Business Association First Saturday event near Pono Market.
Camat’s son will be handling one of the pretzel tents at the Grove Farm Market, Elena said.
“A lot of the crafters are working,” Ruiz said. “That’s why they’re coming later. But this is the first time, so we’ll just wait to see how it comes out.”
Kelvin Moniz of the East Kaua‘i Lions Club said having the pop-up is a good idea.
“We’re volunteering with the parade,” Moniz said. “At least we know where we’re going to eat.”
