LIHU‘E — “Thanksgiving?” Melissa McFerrin-Warrack asked this Monday. “No, the holidays are already here.”
In an effort to comply with the COVID-19 measures designed to help prevent the spread of the virus, the holiday season has been backed onto the back of the Thanksgiving turkey to allow as many people to enjoy the holiday merriment in a socially-distanced manner.
“The annual Kaua‘i Christmas Parade presented by our Lihu‘e credit unions won’t be happening, again this year,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “Instead, Santa is already in the house, making his appearance at 11 a.m. Friday, and being available through Christmas Eve at Santa’s House.”
The Henua Designs pop-up opens Friday during the Black Friday deals taking place throughout the shopping center and will be available through Sunday.
“We’re opening an hour earlier at 9 a.m., Friday for Black Friday,” said Sara Miura of Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i who will have a tent set up outside their shop to accommodate shoppers in a socially-distant manner. “There will be the usual sales, and like the old days, a surprise for every purchase for early shoppers.”We’re grateful for the support we’ve received throughout the year, so like the old-time, wouldn’t it be nice to get a surprise?”
Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i makes a quick shift to celebrate Small Business Saturday, a tradition it has done for several years.
“The tent will still be here, and the sales will be here,” Miura said. “It’s just Small Business Saturday.”
Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i will be joined by 20 vendors from the county’s Kaua‘i Made program that will be spread throughout the shopping center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow for social distancing.
The holiday entertainment lineup opens at 5 p.m., Saturday when the Kalaheo Elementary School’s Sunshine Express takes the stage. The elementary singing group are traditional performers during The Christmas Parade.
To top off the day of excitement, Kukui Grove will premier its annual Holiday Light Show in front of Jamba Juice with a special appearance with performers from the Aloha Dance Studio starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The Holiday Light Show will continue Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays beginning at 7 p.m. through Dec. 18. Starting Dec. 19 and running through Dec. 23, there will be nightly light show performances.
The shopping center’s normal operating hours of 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday hours of 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., will increase to staying open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., nightly from Dec. 20 to Dec. 23. Kukui Grove closes at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and is closed on Christmas Day.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
