Resembling a scene out of a Star Wars movie, a line of people waited Sunday to enter the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall and were entertained by the KKCR community radio booth that featured a non-human character hosting the live radio broadcast.
Hundreds of people streamed through the secured entry point at the Comic Con that moved from the previous event at the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort. The new venue saw the theater seating area used for panel discussions, workshops and more, including the cosplay contest. The remaining space was devoted to vendors, punctuated with pockets that allowed for table games, board games and vintage electronic gaming.
Vendors, including many that traveled here from off-island, unveiled their offerings of collectibles, accessories for famed characters, posters of famed characters, and much more.
Borrowing from the successful Matsuri festival on Saturday, the outdoor entry leading to Hardy Street was lined with tents to accommodate even more vendors, and even large inflatable Pokemon characters for picture-taking.
“I was at my parents’ home to do yardwork,” said Cory Dobashi. “Then, all these (dressed for cosplay) people came, and I had to come and see what was going on.”
Cory was able to get a photo of himself with a life-sized Darth Vader holding an illuminated lightsaber.
“I’m going to have to text this to my sister,” Cory said.
Near by, a mother with three children — all dressed up — pushed her way through the crowd.
“Halloween is coming,” the mother said while telling her keiki to keep moving forward. “The kids love to dress up so today was perfect.”
The Kauai Community College Cognitions Learning Center is a returning Comic Con vendor that maintained an illusion exhibit.
“We have some people preparing the space at the Kukui Grove Center right now,” said Trineen Lopes of the COGS staff. “We’re opening the exhibit on fear and phobias, this week and next week. We need to get ready.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island
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