KAPA‘A — Laura Lindsey, a candidate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee position in the upcoming election, took advantage of the crowd at Wahine Made to get herself better known among the voting age public at Kapa‘a Beach Park on Saturday.
“This is such a great space to have this,” said Elena Camat of Gourmet Pretzels. “This is big enough to accommodate the more than 60 vendors here. There were previous Wahine Made events, but the spaces were too small. When I was accepted, I had to change my plans and skip the event I normally attend on Saturday mornings.”
The Wahine Made Market and Festival showcased local wahine entrepreneurs with their unique products and business ventures at the Kapa‘a Beach Park that included parking for event patrons.
Lindsey was participating along with her three daughters, each having their own space. Some of her visitors included Kayla Fanene and Kim Rivera of Honolulu, who stopped by Wahine Made en route to the two-day Garden Isle Racing Association drag races in Mana.
“We want the drag strip to open,” Fanene said. “We haven’t had a drag strip since 2006 when the lease with the James Campbell Estate expired. Mayor Rick Blangiardi just signed an agreement with the Navy and is in favor of creating a new drag strip. We want to see how the Garden Isle Racing Association does its drag races so we can help open one on O‘ahu.”
One of Laura’s daughters, Theresa Lindsey, advertising herself as “kanaka artist PIN3KI,” had one of her artworks selected as a marketing piece for the social media event which included a wide range of merchandise ranging from jewelry, contemporary Hawaiian and Polynesian fashion to food, treats and unique gifts.
“We have a silent auction somewhere in the back that benefits the Maui victims,” said DeeJay Sol of Luxe Events Hawai‘i and provides service at the Princeville Market and Flea.
Appetites were whetted by several food vendors, including Aloha Cold Brew that came from a hectic food service tenure at the Kaua‘i Hospice Concert in the Sky on Thursday.
“You should try our food truck,” said Tony McKnight, while providing ballast for the beverage station and Donya McKnight processing customer orders.
“Aloha Cold Brew &Deli food truck — Donya works there — is right near Kaua‘i Irrigation in the Puhi Industrial Park. ‘You can skip the line’ by ordering online.”
Camat said the event shut down before the scheduled First Saturday event starts in downtown Kapa‘a.
