LIHU‘E — Theresa Morita got up at 7 a.m. to be first in line for the Lihu‘e Christian Church 2011 Bazaar, Saturday morning. Early risers snaked down the sidewalk leading to the gates of the LCC Social Hall which was
LIHU‘E — Theresa Morita got up at 7 a.m. to be first in line for the Lihu‘e Christian Church 2011 Bazaar, Saturday morning.
Early risers snaked down the sidewalk leading to the gates of the LCC Social Hall which was segmented into sections offering food such as a variety of nishime — a form of Japanese stew — as well as sushi and baked goods. Other sections offered rummage sale items, a silent auction and assorted arts and crafts including a large selection of hand-crafted quilts and even ceramics by Pam White.
Erin Milare, a coach with the Kapa‘a High School cross country team, was pleased because the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation meet was moved from its original Saturday to Thursday afternoon.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to come to this because of the cross country change,” Milare said. “All the other times, I couldn’t come because of the meets.”
One of the volunteers said the bazaar has become somewhat of a tradition; it has taken place for more than 40 years.
Yoshie Shirai, who had her son Sam “shopping” while she waited on the side, said her mother used to come to help cook rice for the bazaar.
Pam Madacey, who co-chaired the event with Karen Nakamura and who has been involved with chairing the event for six years, said it’s always been held for just two hours.
“We have almost a hundred lucky number prizes and Russell Maeda will be announcing winners throughout,” she said. “It’s going to take almost two hours and then, it’s over.”
Madacey said the bazaar keeps people coming and it’s good fellowship for everyone, so the church will continue to host the annual event.
“I was going to go home and watch the University of Hawai‘i football game,” said Tom Shigemoto, one of the cashiers. “We have to wrap up afterwards so I have to figure out when I’m going to watch the game. But it’s only once a year, so I guess it’s alright.”
As the gates opened, the crowd surged into the hall in a style similar to the “Papaya Panic” described by Bill Spitz after the opening whistle at the Sunshine Markets.
But instead of scrambling for papaya and lettuce, shoppers went straight for the sushi and nishime.
“The rummage sale used to be really popular with the Filipino people who used to come with burlap bags for their purchases,” Shirai said. “They would buy the items and send them back to the Philippines.”
Lyle Tabata and the Boy Scouts of Troop 148, sponsored by the LCC, was quickly cleaning and putting away the tables as shoppers cleared the merchandise.
“It’s only 9:30 and it feels like we’ve been doing this for hours,” Tabata said, folding a table which once was overflowing with sushi and nishime.
Outside, the Boy Scouts helped shoppers with their purchases while helping with the live plants, and at the Ae Kamali‘i Preschool, parent volunteers were ready to dispense chili and hot dogs.
