Swap meets and craft fairs give vendors new life | News, Sports, Jobs

Sam Puleiku (from left) of Pua Woodcarving waits on Mandy and Paul Marks of Billings, Mont., at a recent Kahului Swap Meet. Puleiku was selling works carved by her husband, Takavaha Puleiku. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Sam Puleiku (from left) of Pua Woodcarving waits on Mandy and Paul Marks of Billings, Mont., at a recent Kahului Swap Meet. Puleiku was selling works carved by her husband, Takavaha Puleiku. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

KAHULUI — They may not be hosting the packed crowds that swarmed the Maui Swap Meet at this time last year, but the new Kahului Swap Meet held Saturdays at Maui Marketplace and the Maui Gift & Craft Fair held Sundays at Lahaina Gateway represent lifelines to vendors who have seen their livelihoods “devastated” by the downturn in business caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Maui Print Sales owner Cole Ricker was selling hats, clothing and sunglasses recently at the Kahului Swap Meet, while his mom, Jill Ricker, was under the same tent offering her handmade jewelry. Cole Ricker said he made major investments in equipment and inventory last year just before the pandemic hit.

“I wasn’t able to have any income from my business,” he said. “We had just invested in a lot of stuff, bought a bunch of equipment. It’s kind of a harsh reality, but we’re up and running now.”

Ricker credited Kahului Swap Meet promoter Chad Paranto for stepping up to organize the Saturday and Sunday events.

“He’s saved a lot of people,” Ricker said.

Kahului Swap Meet promoter Chad Paranto holds a digital thermometer at the entrance to the Kahului Swap Meet last month. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Paranto had been running the Lahaina event for four years before COVID-19 restrictions shut it down. It restarted with expanded safety protocols the first week of November.

“Basically, you know, everybody was just really struggling, not making any money,” Paranto said. “This gives everybody an opportunity to be open again under our strict COVID protocols. It’s really important for all of them. It’s a blessing to have the opportunity to be open.”

Paranto said people are looking for entertainment, particularly visitors to the island.

“The tourists love the fact that there is something for them to do,” he said. “They all have been receptive to wearing masks. Every tourist has complied.”

Paranto said he submitted a safety plan to the Maui County Office of Economic Development and then received a surprise phone call from Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino.

“I thought it was nice of him calling me on a Saturday and talking to me for 20 minutes,” Paranto said. “He discussed it with me and he was encouraging. He said we basically had one chance to do it right. It was nice of him to give us the opportunity.”

Paranto said vendors and shoppers are required to wear their masks at all times. They also have their temperatures taken and must go through a health screening before being admitted. There are hand sanitizer stations sprinkled around the site near the former Sports Authority location. No food is served to ensure that people do not take off their masks to eat.

Shoppers Paul and Mandy Marks of Billings, Mont., visited the Kahului Swap Meet recently. They said they chose to visit Maui due to its low COVID-19 numbers and the state’s testing program for travelers.

“This is the one place we felt safe in the U.S. traveling to,” Paul Marks said. “We run a cleaning business. We came here to get away from people.”

Paranto said he hopes the Kahului Swap Meet will be a shot in the arm for Maui Marketplace and nearby businesses.

“We’re trying to bring business back to Dairy Road,” he said.

The Kahului Swap Meet is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The Maui Gift & Craft Fair is held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

* Matthew Thayer can be reached at thayer@maui.net.

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