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Sale helps Maha‘ulepu
By Coco Zickos - The Garden Island
KOLOA — Tennis rackets, books, DVDs, a set of table and chairs.
Those were just a few of the items left at the end of Malama Maha‘ulepu’s first-ever rummage sale Sunday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center.
“There were over 60 people waiting to get in this morning by 8:45,” said Jeri Di Pietro, the nonprofit’s secretary. “Within the first 40 minutes we had about 200 people shopping.”
The sale, which didn’t officially get started until 9 a.m., had tourists even buzzing about it around town.
“We even had visitors come by on Saturday and ask if this was the right place,” Di Pietro said.
She deemed the turnout a success for the nonprofit, which is dedicated to “preserving our precious coast.”
“It’s been a huge success and we’ve received generous donations from all the people in the community,” she said.
About an hour and a half into the event, they had already exceeded their goal of $1,000, and most likely doubled their expectations, she said.
With today’s economy, it’s no wonder so many people were looking for affordable items.
“Hopefully, people found things they can use at reasonable prices; that was our objective,” said Beryl Blaich, coordinator of Malama Maha‘ulepu.
On the other hand, when asking shoppers if they were there to save money and help recycle usable goods, most replied they were actually there to support the nonprofit, which, according to Malama Maha‘ulepu’s Web site, helps take care of “the last, accessible undeveloped coastal region on Kaua‘i’s rapidly urbanizing South Shore.”
Paul and Debbie Case of Koloa said they came by to “show support of the movement.”
“That’s why we came initially, but I was excited when I saw the prices,” Debbie said.
“We were hoping to give people bargains on some good stuff,” Di Pietro said.
Kimberly Barnes of Kalaheo was also there to show support for Malama Maha‘ulepu.
“I used to volunteer for them, but now that I work full time, I don’t have as much time to actually come out and do events, so I’m here today to support the organization,” she said. “I spend a lot of time at Maha‘ulepu with my dog and I feel like it’s important to try to preserve the area.”
What may have looked like an easy task to pull together actually took a great deal of time and dedication, according to Malama Maha‘ulepu board members.
“The volunteers are just so outrageously fabulous in this organization,” Blaich said.
Volunteers were responsible for gathering all the merchandise, setting prices and “boxing and hauling” all the items, she added.
When asked how monies raised would be used, Di Pietro said they would help bring more children to Maha‘ulepu in order to educate them about the importance of preserving the native land.
“We will be teaching kids how to eradicate some of the invasive limu and transplant back the native species,” she said.
Restoration work at Makauwahi Cave and a sinkhole, beach clean-ups, as well as native plant restoration are also ongoing projects conducted by Malama Maha‘ulepu.
“We want to keep the area preserved and take care of it; a place people can go to find refuge,” Blaich said.
Rummage sales are expected to be an annual event for the nonprofit and anyone can volunteer for upcoming projects.
The next steering committee meeting will be at 4 p.m., April 1, at the Koloa Neighborhood Center. For more information, visit www.malama-mahaulepu.org.
• Coco Zickos, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
Those were just a few of the items left at the end of Malama Maha‘ulepu’s first-ever rummage sale Sunday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center.
“There were over 60 people waiting to get in this morning by 8:45,” said Jeri Di Pietro, the nonprofit’s secretary. “Within the first 40 minutes we had about 200 people shopping.”
The sale, which didn’t officially get started until 9 a.m., had tourists even buzzing about it around town.
“We even had visitors come by on Saturday and ask if this was the right place,” Di Pietro said.
She deemed the turnout a success for the nonprofit, which is dedicated to “preserving our precious coast.”
“It’s been a huge success and we’ve received generous donations from all the people in the community,” she said.
About an hour and a half into the event, they had already exceeded their goal of $1,000, and most likely doubled their expectations, she said.
With today’s economy, it’s no wonder so many people were looking for affordable items.
“Hopefully, people found things they can use at reasonable prices; that was our objective,” said Beryl Blaich, coordinator of Malama Maha‘ulepu.
On the other hand, when asking shoppers if they were there to save money and help recycle usable goods, most replied they were actually there to support the nonprofit, which, according to Malama Maha‘ulepu’s Web site, helps take care of “the last, accessible undeveloped coastal region on Kaua‘i’s rapidly urbanizing South Shore.”
Paul and Debbie Case of Koloa said they came by to “show support of the movement.”
“That’s why we came initially, but I was excited when I saw the prices,” Debbie said.
“We were hoping to give people bargains on some good stuff,” Di Pietro said.
Kimberly Barnes of Kalaheo was also there to show support for Malama Maha‘ulepu.
“I used to volunteer for them, but now that I work full time, I don’t have as much time to actually come out and do events, so I’m here today to support the organization,” she said. “I spend a lot of time at Maha‘ulepu with my dog and I feel like it’s important to try to preserve the area.”
What may have looked like an easy task to pull together actually took a great deal of time and dedication, according to Malama Maha‘ulepu board members.
“The volunteers are just so outrageously fabulous in this organization,” Blaich said.
Volunteers were responsible for gathering all the merchandise, setting prices and “boxing and hauling” all the items, she added.
When asked how monies raised would be used, Di Pietro said they would help bring more children to Maha‘ulepu in order to educate them about the importance of preserving the native land.
“We will be teaching kids how to eradicate some of the invasive limu and transplant back the native species,” she said.
Restoration work at Makauwahi Cave and a sinkhole, beach clean-ups, as well as native plant restoration are also ongoing projects conducted by Malama Maha‘ulepu.
“We want to keep the area preserved and take care of it; a place people can go to find refuge,” Blaich said.
Rummage sales are expected to be an annual event for the nonprofit and anyone can volunteer for upcoming projects.
The next steering committee meeting will be at 4 p.m., April 1, at the Koloa Neighborhood Center. For more information, visit www.malama-mahaulepu.org.
• Coco Zickos, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
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