The Kaimukī district was alight with festive spirit and community camaraderie this past Saturday, as local businesses and shoppers came together for the ninth annual Keep it Kaimukī event. Coinciding with Small Business Saturday, the occasion featured a blend of holiday shopping, entertainment, and neighborhood vitality.
Local shopkeepers reported increased sales during the ninth annual Keep it Kaimukī event. Nalani McLaughlin, owner of Red Pineapple, told KHON2, "It is a huge marker in how well your business is doing for the year. So we’re super excited to have the community come out in droves." The event featured more than 30 businesses, free trolley rides, and live performances. McLaughlin added, "Most people know the locally spent dollar goes farther. So if you spend money in my store, any of the stores in Kaimukī, we all live here, so that money gets generated back into our community."
The United States Postal Service (USPS) also played a supportive role in this community affair, emphasizing the synergy between shopping and shipping locally. According to KHON2, Jim Finnigan, a USPS letter carrier with three decades of experience, sees his participation as a personal enterprise. "I’ve been very fortunate with this route. The people are just absolutely wonderful. Caring, giving. So for me to be able to help them any way I can is just a great feeling for me," Finnigan explained. During the holiday season, his workload intensifies as he juggles around 600 stops a day to ensure timely deliveries, affectionately referring to himself as one of "Santa’s Helpers."
Jordan Lee, owner of The Public Pet and founder of Keep it Kaimukī, told KITV, "This event is about more than holiday shopping — it’s about building connections, uplifting our neighborhood and reminding everyone of the value of supporting local year-round." The full-day event included holiday activities and performances at Aliʻiolani Elementary School.
The USPS recommends shipping domestic packages by December 17 and international parcels by December 9 to ensure arrival by Christmas.
