The Made in Hawaii Festival opened to the public at 10 Friday morning, and, by 10:30, parking attendants at the Blaisdell were turning people away because the lot was full. People were pouring into the place like it was a Rolling Stones concert. Or the Jonas Brothers, even.

All for an end-of-summer craft fair?

Turns out the 2008 Made in Hawaii Festival was way more than driftwood clocks and crochet toilet paper holders. Not that those things aren't special, but in years past, there wasn't much more than driftwood clocks and crochet toilet paper holders and maybe a few cookies doused in li hing powder.

This year, it was an all-out extravaganza.

Bakers and artisans from the Neighbor Islands came to show off their treasures. There is a kind of magic about finding Moloka'i bread from Kanemitsu Bakery right here in Honolulu. Ladies from Ni'ihau and Kaua'i were there with the lei pupu they made themselves, from delicate chokers of the red kahelelani shell to the opulent ropes of the white lei momi. Ali'i Kula Lavender from Maui set up a pretty booth where people could try every product they sell, from lavender talcum power to lavender cookies. More than 420 booths in all. There were clothes for dogs, exquisite wood end tables, even Kalihi's The Pastele Shop was there offering a pastele and gandule rice plate.

The best part was the chance to talk story with the person who crafted the lovely koa jewelry box or strung the tiny shells. Even big boys Diamond Bakery seemed quaint as their longtime baker greeted children and gave out samples of crackers.

Outside on the patio was the smartest booth of all. Cheerful U.S. Postal Service workers handed out free priority mail flat rate boxes so people could ship stuff they had purchased — a great amenity for tourists, Neighbor Island travelers and people sending gifts to the Mainland.

Hard to believe looking at the crush of people, but attendance was actually a bit off from last year. Richard Botti, president of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, says 500 fewer people attended this year for a total door count of 37,000. Botti attributes this to competition with other events, the economy, the tourism downturn and yes, the parking problems. Still, the three-day event made $1.7 million in sales plus an additional $10 million in residual sales when 1,200 buyers from the Mainland, Japan and Hawai'i came through to pick up products for their stores.

Clearly, even with economic pressures and big-box alternatives, thousands still value products that are handcrafted, homemade and unique.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.