LIHUE — The line of people waiting to get into Mele Makeke snaked past Bread & Deli Connection and down the entrance leading to the now-closed Macy’s on Friday at the Kukui Grove Center.
Mele Makeke, one of the new facets of holiday shopping at Kukui Grove, is a collection of vendors that will be a pop-up between Black Friday and Christmas at the space occupied by the former Macy’s Mens. The site is near Deja Vu Surf Hawaii that was holding its traditional Black Friday tent sale.
The new vendor lineup will be open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special Friday hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. During the week leading to Christmas, Mele Makeke will be open every day.
Melissa McFerrin Warrack of Kukui Grove Center said the pop-up is the brainchild of Kristyn Peralta of Bubbah’s Toy Box.
Elizabeth Freeman of the Festival of Lights will share the same hours and space, providing shoppers with an illuminated display of Christmas lights and folk art, including some of the collection from the former Chansky home that used to be decorated in Kapahi.
The Festival of Lights used to decorate the historic County Building for more than 20 years before finding its new home at the Kukui Grove Center.
These new attractions join the traditional lineup of Christmas and holiday offerings by the Kukui Grove Center, which welcomed Santa to the Santa’s Hale on Friday with Photos with Santa and sometimes, just a visit with the North Pole visitor. Mrs. Claus was quick to whip out her bag of individualized reindeer bells that could summon any of the reindeer pack by name. Cinnamon is the new elf accompanying the pair at Santa’s Hale, located across the walkway from Jamba Juice.
The weekend continues with Small Business Saturday featuring additional vendors blossoming along the shopping center’s walkways, including Deja Vu who will switch from Black Friday to Small Business Saturday mode with free giveaways to the first select customers who arrive at the tent on Saturday.
The fun continues past sundown on Saturday when Harvey Maeda and the Kauai Classic Cars appear in the parking lot fronting the Holiday Light Show that will inaugurate with a special performance by Tiffany Dick and the Thrive (formerly Aloha Dance Studio) dancers starting at 5 p.m.
The Holiday Light Show structure is located in front of Jamba Juice and Starbucks Coffee, and that entrance to the shopping center will be closed during the Holiday Light Show performances.
Sarah Tochiki will close off the weekend with a special Holiday Season Kick-off Concert on Sunday, starting at noon with her Jazz Ensemble in the food court area.
For more information, visit the shopping center’s website at www.kukuigrovecenter.com.
