2-day Punahou Carnival is all fun and games

Advertiser Staff

The annual Punahou School carnival in Manoa attracts people of all ages each year with a variety of food, games, rides and entertainment. Advertiser library photo

When is it? 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and Saturday at the campus at the corner of Wilder Avenue and Punahou Street in Makiki. This year's theme is "Rock On!" It's sponsored by the junior class to benefit the school's financial-aid programs and student activities.

What else can we eat? Besides those must-have malasadas, there's a cornucopia of goodies, including a Hawaiian plate, Portuguese bean soup, corn, hamburgers, chili, noodles and Greek gyro sandwiches.

What does it cost? Admission, as always, is free, free, free. As for the nonfree activities, prepare to dish out the cash for E.K. Fernandez rides, game booths, food and drinks, items that catch your fancy at the white-elephant booth and the produce booth.

Give us some culture while you're at it. The annual art gallery, at the Gates Workshop of the Punahou Science Center, returns with offerings by more than 200 artists. More than 2,000 pieces of art are for purchase or for pure visual enjoyment.

Entertain us, too. Here's the schedule, subject to change:

• Today: Punahou Jazz Band, noon; acts to be announced at 1 and 2 p.m.; Ricky Muraoka & Friends, 3 p.m.; Elua Kane, 4 p.m.; Pomaika'i & Friends, 5 p.m.; Believe, 6 p.m.; Na Leo Pilimehana, 7 p.m.; Rock History 101, a faculty troupe with "Elvis" and dancers, 8 p.m.; Kahua, 9 p.m.; Kapakahi Band, 10 p.m.
• Saturday: Punahou Jazz Band, noon; One Face, 1 p.m.; Punahou Alumni Glee Club, 2 p.m.; Auntie Genoa Keawe & Her Hawaiians, 3 p.m.; Na Kama, 4 p.m.; Opihi Pickers, 5 p.m.; Weldon Kekauoha & Tapa Groove, 6 p.m.; 'Ike Pono; 7 p.m.; Kawika Regidor, 8 p.m.; Voyajah, 9 p.m.; Kilinahe, 10 p.m.

Is there more? Yes, check out the live auction Saturday in the Cornuelle Lecture Hall of the Science Center. Doors open at 4 p.m.; the bidding begins at 5 p.m. Vacation/travel packages, electronics, jewelry and other items will be sold to the highest bidders.

Where do we park? If you're really lucky, there's limited free parking on campus and on the streets of Makiki. But because the odds of your being so lucky are minuscule, there are nearby parking lots that charge fees. Those lots are at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu (1730 Punahou St.); Central Union Church (corner of Beretania and Punahou); nearby Maryknoll School; and St. Clement's Episcopal Church (1515 Wilder Ave.). Or take the bus: Nos. 4, 5 and 18 stop near the campus.

What if it rains? Cross your fingers that it won't, but if the clouds do gather, go anyway. A lot of people do.