More than three decades ago, Joann Williams held her first Christmas craft fair at her Kona Palisades home. ADVERTISING More than three decades ago, Joann Williams held her first Christmas craft fair at her Kona Palisades home. Six hundred people
More than three decades ago, Joann Williams held her first Christmas craft fair at her Kona Palisades home.
Six hundred people flocked to the showcase of about 10 artists, scooping up specialty items and unique arts and crafts. The idea for the craft fair came in the early 1980s, after Williams stepped down from volunteering for Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon and Festival of Trees after about 20 years.
“I wanted to start doing something for our own local people here, the ones I knew were talented but didn’t have the money to open shops,” said Williams. “I want to help get them out on the market.”
Thirty-three years later the tradition of promoting local artists and craftspeople continues — albeit on a larger scale at a bigger venue in Kailua Village. It’s also gotten so big that there are two held per year. In July, the 23rd annual Joann Williams Christmas in July Art, Gift and Craft Fair drew scores.
“I just knew it was a needed thing and that it would just blossom,” Williams said.
Starting today from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and continuing Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., residents and visitors alike can peruse the Joann “Goose” Williams Christmas Treasures Art, Gift and Craft Fair at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel for unique and different Christmas gifts for family and friends.
Up to 100 vendors will take over three of the hotels ballrooms, as well as tent space in the parking lot offering an array of items like jams, jellies and baked goods; artwork, crafts and photography; soaps, lotions and oils; clothing, hats and baby items; as well as items for the furry family members.
“It’s truly a mix and blend of vendors that I have picked out of the crop,” she said. “There’s just so many good products.”
Admission is free and door prizes, donated by vendors, will be given away throughout the day. There will also be several nonprofits at the event, including the Ohana Heroes Project, a multi-site study led by principal investigator psychology professor Deborah Beidel at the University of Central Florida and co-investigators University of Hawaii at Hilo psychology associate professor Charmaine K. Higa-McMillan and psychology associate Candice Alfano at the University of Houston.
The Ohana Heroes Project is a Department of Defense-funded study examining the effects of military deployment on family that will be used to develop support programs for these families. The study also looks at nonmilitary families going through a recent separation or divorce. The projected end date of the study is next summer but the investigators will likely continue until they’ve interviewed 150 families in Hawaii.
“We will have a booth at the event where families can learn more about the project and to sign up. We are looking for about 15 more military families with a currently deployed parent and about 30 more civilian families going through a recent separation or divorce,” she said. “Our team is prepared to drive to meet families in the Kona area so they would not need to drive to UH-Hilo to participate.”
