Waimanalo has its carnival, rain or shine
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer
Only half of the predicted "fun in the sun" made it to the Waimanalo Carnival yesterday: The fun part.
Rebecca Breyer The Honolulu Advertiser
The sun was nowhere in sight.
Eight-year-old Siah Kaawa, foreground, and his companions on the Wave Swinger ride high and dry above the muddy ground. The Waimanalo Carnival was held in wet weather yesterday after being postponed last weekend.
The popular event, canceled the week before because of foul weather, was not to be denied yesterday, although organizers — encouraged by sunny skies and near-perfect conditions throughout the week — were right back in stormy weather when the time came.
Jan Nagano, president of the Friends of Waimanalo, which has hosted the carnival for the past 14 years, tried to put the best face on the cloudy situation.
"We've been overblessed," said Nagano shortly before the opening bell. "The carnival starts in a half- hour, and it's raining. But the spirit of the community will prevail, rain or shine."
Thirty minutes later, the rains were prevailing with such intensity that Waimanalo Beach Park had been reduced to what Nagano lamented as a "slosh pit." But then, as quickly as they had arrived, the showers subsided. Only the overcast skies remained.
And just as Nagano predicted, folks waded in with enthusiasm, apparently oblivious to the muck underfoot, which turned their white shoes brown and left their legs spattered with mud.
"Look," said Nagano. "The kids are on the rides. Everybody's having fun."
"The people are going to flow in," added Friends of Waimanalo treasurer Ray Lum.
And flow they did, although not as many as hoped. Still, in some cases the spirit of the community had reached well beyond Waimanalo.
"It was raining all the way over here, and when we arrived, it stopped and we found a parking spot right off," said Denise Fisher of Pearl City as she and her son, Kuhao, 3, stepped off the merry-go-round. "It was meant that we come here."
Fisher was not the least bit fazed by her soaked tennis shoes. "I can always wash them," she said.
Kuhao's attention was riveted on his next amusement — in this case, the Wave Swinger, one of the carnival's more than two dozen attractions including rides and game booths. There were also the customary popcorn, peanuts and cotton candy for sale and enough food booths to keep him happy.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Meanwhile, carnival co-chairman Al Lewis managed to coax in a bit of radiance by repeatedly singing "You Are My Sunshine" on the public address system. And, almost as if he had made it happen, at precisely 12:45 p.m., a patch of actual sunshine briefly wafted over the midway.
It was a day for rubber slippers — forget those white sneakers — as Waimanalo Beach Park resembled a "slosh pit" yesterday.
"We just appreciate everybody's understanding," Lewis said during a break.
"This carnival is the only fund-raising event we have. Every year, we collect from $35,000 to $40,000 for nonprofit organizations in Waimanalo."
Most of that money comes from rides and games, he said, although the Friends of Waimanalo also gets a token share from the food booths.
Within moments Lewis was back on the microphone reminding everyone about the carnival's big Waimanalo Idol Contest in which the winner would receive a free trip for two to any Neighbor Island.
"I'm thinking of entering myself," said Lewis after finishing yet another rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" — although no one was taking him seriously.
The admission-free Waimanalo Carnival continues today from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"Rain or shine!" quipped Nagano with wink and a smile.
Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.
