LIHUE — Since starting up in October, Pettina Kleunsch of Kauai Island Kombucha said they have been growing. “We started at the Kilauea farmers market,” Kleunsch said. “Since then, we opened a kombucha bar in Hanalei, a store serving kombucha
LIHUE — Since starting up in October, Pettina Kleunsch of Kauai Island Kombucha said they have been growing.
“We started at the Kilauea farmers market,” Kleunsch said. “Since then, we opened a kombucha bar in Hanalei, a store serving kombucha in Kukuiula, and with the approval of the new bottles, will have product in more stores very shortly.”
Kauai Island Kombucha was one of about 30 vendors showing their wares at the 2015 Kauai Made and Kauai Grown wholesale trade show on Tuesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
It was the first time the event was open to the public.
“We’re always looking for more ways to be creative with this event,” said Melissia Sugai of the Office of Economic Development.
Kaui Tanaka of the Mayor’s Office has been a perennial trade show shopper.
“We always come to see what is new and what can be purchased to be used as gifts when the mayor makes his travels,” Tanaka said. “A lot of the vendors get supported through these omiyage.”
The fashion lineup featured work from Chez Chanterelle, a designer from last year’s show, Puka Surf with Kauai native Krystl Apeles, Kauai Aloha Krafts, Jacqueline of Kauai, and Keiki Kovers, which combined their fashions with accessories from Jewels of the Reef that set up a trunk sale for the occasion. Heavenly Haku had lei, gift baskets, and even books from local writers Marta Lane and Bill Fernandez were on hand.
“Traditionally, this show was for the trade,” said Randy Francisco of the county’s Office of Economic Development. “But this year, we have an abbreviated fashion show which serves as a transition when we open the show to the public and people can have an opportunity to buy direct for some savings on early holiday buying.”
