Each year, the ladies of Hilo Betsuin stage one of the highlights of the East Hawaii social calendar.
Each year, the ladies of Hilo Betsuin stage one of the highlights of the East Hawaii social calendar.
And on Sept. 8, all roads again will lead to the Sangha Hall, where their huge, eagerly anticipated garage sale will be held.
This is not your average garage sale. It’s the annual big fundraiser of the Hilo Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association, with hundreds of folks donating items for the sale. Organizing and sorting and categorizing the recycled treasures is a mammoth undertaking in itself. And in case you get hungry browsing for bargains, the BWA’s busy kitchen crew will be selling lots of ono taste treats.
The bountiful bazaar will open its doors at 7 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Amy Ban, the veteran chairperson, is being assisted by Tracy Nagakura as co-chair. Nagakura has for many years volunteered his services in making the garage sale a success.
BWA members work tirelessly for two weeks prior to the sale sorting, pricing and displaying the goods that are donated so generously by friends and neighbors in the community. Proceeds from this shoppers’ delight are used to continue the temple’s many programs in service to the community.
“Mountains of good, used clothing for infants, children, women and men will be on sale,” a spokeswoman said. “You may even find some items with store tags on them. If you want a new wardrobe, this is the place to be.
Some craftwork designed and created by the talented BWA ladies will also be available, and the selection of treats will include Japanese pickled vegetables, spam musubi, cone sushi and banana bread.
, all prepared by the dedicated BWA kitchen crew.
“The kitchen wares department is always full of ‘treasures,’ with beautiful dishes, glassware and hard-to-find pots and pans. For the seamstresses, you will find bolts of pretty remnants. Croched blankets and linens will be piled high for your selections.
“And there will be trendy costume jewelry, flower vases and paintings and lots of knick-knacks. You will find toys and boxes of books, many of them bestsellers, all stacked and shelved for your purchase. And for the gardeners, lots of plants will be on sale and you can also select beautiful anthuriums at bargain prices.”
“Come early for best selections. Parking is free, and admission is also free,” say coordinators. The Sangha Hall is next to Starbucks in downtown Hilo. It is part of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin complex at 424 Kilauea Ave.