Mayette Loseto, right, reacts to Christine Caberto’s joy of completing a ti-leaf rose Thursday during the Thursday Market at Kukui Grove Center.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Frank Cruz of Cruz Control cranks out a tune for lunchtime diners and vendors at the Thursday Market at Kukui Grove Center.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Frank Cruz of Cruz Control performs against a backdrop of the mural and a Thursday Market vendor in the food court area at Kukui Grove Center,
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Mayette Loseto, a Thursday Market vendor at Kukui Grove Center, works on a customer’s lei order in the food court area of the mall.
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Mayette Loseto, a Thursday Market vendor, works on finishing a customer’s lei order at Kukui Grove Center.
Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
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LIHUE Christine Caberto was glad that Mayette Loseto never gave up on her during the Thursday Market at Kukui Grove Center.
LIHUE — Christine Caberto was glad that Mayette Loseto never gave up on her during the Thursday Market at Kukui Grove Center.
“I did it!” Caberto said, trying not to drop the ti-leaf rose she had created with Loseto’s help. “I’m so glad she didn’t give up on me, even if I was ready to quit. I’ve been wanting to learn how to make these roses for the past two years. I have some ti leaves in the freezer at home, and now I’m going to make more so I don’t forget how to make them.”
Loseto, bundling Caberto’s rose with several others in a bouquet, is one of the regular vendors who set up shop at the weekly Thursday Market in the food court area.
“I have to make a lei for Dickie Chang, who has his big event Sunday afternoon at the Kilohana pavilion,” Loseto said. “You know Dickie — he wants his lei to be very showy.”
Additionally, Loseto stopped to chat with passing shoppers, one curious about the shampoo ginger, and another wanting information on Kauai events. Others stopped to pick up the red dragon fruit she displayed, supplementing her floral crafting. The dragon fruit replaced her offering from last week that included a basket of Kaimana lychee.
“This is just gas money,”’ the Wailua vendor said. “It just came into season. Ours is late this year. The ones in Keapana Valley usually come out first, and we’re a little later.”
The lunchtime crowd, arriving after the morning showers, welcomed Frank Cruz to the stage for an entertainment gig that runs through 1 p.m.
The Thursday Market meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each week.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
