Many choose organized Halloween events, or stick close to home
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Ghosts, ghouls and monsters were out in force last night, but it was fear of the unknown that sent many to organized events. Others decided just to stay home.
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Shopping malls across the state reported high numbers of children and adults seeking free candy and treats. Many who chose such events for Halloween said it was because of threats of violence following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Sharon Powell offers punch to Maile Hardisty, 2, a "little Dutch girl" escorted by her dad, Jon. Children made the rounds of vehicles parked at the Hawai'i Kai Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' lot for "Trunk or Treat."
In Hawai'i Kai, more than a hundred adults and children celebrated Halloween at an event held to ease the minds of parents worried about terrorist reprisals. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its "Trunk or Treat" in the church parking lot, where children got treats from decorated cars, vans and trucks.
Co-organizer Jody Akeo said the church wanted to provide a safe, controlled environment. "The purpose of this is to be safe and to protect the kids," said Akeo, a mother of five. "We're all concerned about the fears on the outside."
Co-organizer Julie Carruthers said the church also wanted to be sure children had an opportunity to celebrate.
"We're not spending our hours and days sitting around thinking what's going to drop next. We're going on and having a great time," Carruthers said.
Kaiser High School student Terava Kaanapu said she went to the event at her parents' request. The 16-year-old said she would have preferred going trick-or-treating with her friends. But given mood of the times, she understood why her parents had asked her to attend the church function instead.
"They wanted me to support my little brother — like family time," she said. "Some of my teachers were saying you should stay at home or not be with your friends and not go out tonight."
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Joe Berardy, who turned his van into a haunted house, said he preferred the event to traditional trick-or-treating. "We don't have to worry about who's giving out what type of treats. Plus it's a very family-oriented event," he said.
Maureen Gaffney adjusts the tail on her son, 3-year-old Zachary Abraham, at the childcare center’s event at Waikiki Community Center.
At Kahala Mall and the Victoria Ward Centers, record numbers turned out for Halloween events. Most merchants opened their doors to monsters seeking treats.
Ward spokeswoman Diane Bruce said 600 to 800 people — double last year's total — walked the center's two-block village.
Kahala Mall spokeswoman Laurie Hara said the mall was "very, very busy," with a crowd larger than last year's. She said the police presence in the mall "put everybody's mind at ease."
Honolulu Police reported nothing unusual last night and said there were no reports of tainted candy.
At Windward Mall, promotions manager Nancy Bush said about 1,000 youngsters turned out for trick-or-treat, about the same as last year.
But Shannon Benito of Kane'ohe, who was passing out lollipops for Baskin Robbins, believed the number was smaller this year, "maybe because of the whole Sept. 11 thing."
Leialoha Chun of Kane'ohe was at the mall with daughter Justine, 7, decked out as a mermaid, and 5-year-old son Austin, a Power Ranger. She agreed the crowd was smaller this year, but said she hadn't stayed away because "It's Halloween — it's what we do."
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
Her husband, Gilbert, added, "If we don't do what we do, then they've won."
1-year-old Caitlin Romburger holds Jing Gonsales’ hand at a Halloween event put on by the Waikiki Community Center.
On Kaua'i, trick-or-treaters ducked through neighborhoods dodging showers. If there were any themes on the Garden Island this holiday, they were stay-at-home parties and patriotic outfits.
Several neighborhoods held parties in homes or yards under tarp tents. Among the popular outfits were military uniforms and anything displaying the American flag.
On the Big Island, the holiday was subdued. Business and government offices known for festive decorations and costuming in past years were largely devoid of both.
Some blamed it on the midweek timing; others on the Sept. 11 attacks.
The Hilo Jaycees canceled their annual Haunted House fund-raiser early on. The Prince Kuhio Plaza shopping complex did away with trick-or-treating as a matter of company policy.
Police said afternoon showers helped make their jobs easier by diminishing the volume of trick-or-treaters. They reported no incidents in Hilo or Kona.
But things were hopping on Maui, where thousands of costumed revelers showed up in Lahaina for one of Hawai'i's biggest Halloween events. Despite a drop in visitors to the state, police were expecting a crowd near 25,000.
In Wailuku, sizable crowds were expected at both showings of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at 'Iao Theatre starring the brother-sister act of Amy Hanaialii Gilliom and Eric Gilliom.
Trick-or-treaters also showed up in force in the new Wailuku Parkside subdivision.
Peggy Aviles and Angela Brown said they were nervous at first about taking their children out. But in the end they said they couldn't deny the young ones the traditional Halloween experience, adding that they would be extra careful in checking the kids' candy.
Staff writers Hugh Clark, Walter Wright, Tim Hurley and Jan TenBruggencate contributed to this report.
