The Puna Hongwanji Mission is having its fifth Winter Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday on the temple grounds at 14-692 Old Volcano Road in Keaau. Entry is free.
This event is one of several fundraisers hosted by Puna Hongwanji.
Puna Hongwanji is a known supporter of craft and food vendors and small businesses, schools and community organizations. The Winter Craft Fair is made possible with the support of Rev. Satoshi Tomioka and temple board members, affiliates, friends and volunteers.
This year, there will be over 100 craft vendors, food vendors and small businesses.
Forty vendors are new to this venue and all others are returnees, according to Veronica Kitayama, organizer of the craft fair.
Kitayama also noted that all vendors are from Hawaii Island except for a vendor from Maui and another from Las Vegas.
In 2019, the craft fair started with 29 vendors, and in 2023 there were 85 local vendors. This year, 108 vendors are participating.
The craft fair will have a variety of food vendors serving hot, local and ethnic plate lunches including Mexican, Filipino, Indian, Hawaiian, Native American. There also will be snack foods, desserts, drinks, pastries, jerky, and more.
Craft vendors and small businesses will be selling handmade crafts such as items that are sewn, embroidered and crocheted; wood products; laser products; jewelry and clothing; sublimation; gift baskets; plants and succulents; Christmas decorations and ornaments; sun-catchers and prisms; greeting cards, framed sayings and kanji characters; magnets; novelties; accessories; leis; toys; antiques; pet food and more.
Vendors will be located throughout the temple grounds including in the hall, dining room, parking lots and the lawn surrounding the columbarium.
All-day entertainment will be under the tent in the front parking lot. A sitting tent will also be available for shoppers to sit and relax and enjoy the performances and ono food.
Entertainment will include performances by the Keonepoko Elementary Chorus, Na Po’e Wahine O Ke Akua, Lila Parong and Lynn Yokoyama Cabatbat, Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama, Daryl Castillo and Puna Taiko.
Raffle drawings, silent auction and a Christmas Contest will be taking place throughout the day.
