One day, about a year ago, Jan Herron was in a thrift store and saw some colorful Hawaiian-style shirts on the rack. They made her think of the annual KPUP Luau. The wheels in her head began turning, and she conceived the idea of using a sale of such shirts to raise money for KPUP. She shared her idea with Judy Mills and Adrienne Halpert, owner of Global Arts Gallery in Patagonia. Would they like to go in on such a venture with her?
The women agreed that it was a great idea and began buying up Hawaiian shirts at secondhand stores and garage sales. As the date of the KPUP Luau approached almost a year later, the three women had collected, washed, and stored well over a hundred shirts and other island-inspired clothing and accessories. One of Judy Mills’ closets was entirely taken over by Hawaiian shirts crowded together on the rack.
The Hawaiian Shirt Sale, held the weekend of May 3 in front of Global Arts Gallery, offered the shirts and other clothing at $10 each, with all proceeds going to KPUP. Buyers who purchased at least two items could get a discount on the Luau’s dinner ticket. The clothing was displayed on rope strung from the rafters of the overhang above the sidewalk. The bright colors beckoned customers in a display that stretched from Global Arts down to Long Realty. The women also offered silk flower leis and grass skirts.
People began buying shirts before they’d even finished hanging them. Out-of-town visitors who knew nothing about the KPUP Luau made purchases as well—impressed by the sale’s purpose of fundraising for the local radio station.
The women raised more than $1,000 for KPUP. “And we had fun doing it,” said Jan Herron. “We’ll probably do it again next year.”