Posted on: Monday, February 28, 2005
Waimanalo wraps up its beach-side carnival
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAIMANALO — The Waimanalo Carnival is a weekend all about community spirit and pride.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser "Spend, spend, spend," said Lewis, a founding member of the Friends of Waimanalo, a volunteer group dedicated to raising money for other nonprofit groups that help Waimanalo residents, over the public-address system.
The three-day event drew about 50,000 people, Lewis said.
The carnival, which has been held every year for 40 years at Waimanalo Beach Park, has been sponsored by the Friends group for the past 15 years. There were rides and games, music, information tables set up and food booths run by social clubs and organizations. There was a white elephant booth run by senior citizens. Local entertainers such as Jordan Segundo, B.E.T. and Kapena entertained during the weekend run, and yesterday featured Nalo Idol, Sean Na'auao and Kapena at one end of the carnival grounds, while the rides and games entertained at the other.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser "Every year we underwrite RIF — Reading is Fundamental," Lewis said. "They come out to our elementary schools and give away books three times a year."
After three hours of games and rides and good food, Waimanalo resident Jenna Navarro was ready to go home. Her last stop was at the malassada booth, this year run by the Kailua High School Project Graduation committee. A long line greeted Navarro, but couldn't deter her from carrying home her half-dozen sweet treats.
"There's always a long line here," Navarro said. "We come for the food and for the rides. We come every year."
A hot and tired Pat Kent stood over one of four kettles of boiling oil as mounds of malassada dough twirled in the fat. Kent said the best part of the carnival for him is the friendliness and the sense of working together for a common goal.
"The spirit of the community is here and that's important," said Kent, a schoolteacher. "That's the most important point of the event, it's that spirit of giving back to the school and the community."
Six-year-old Micah Tokiwa and his dad, Michael, were aware that the carnival was to benefit the Waimanalo community. They drove from Manoa to Waimanalo, and left loaded down with stuffed animals and takeout food. Michael Tokiwa said they played a lot of games and went on some of the rides.
"We like to play the games," Micah said. "It was a lot of fun."
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
From the band on stage asking people what was up with all the new cars in the community and run-down houses, to Al Lewis sitting on his folding chair next to a ticket booth reminding carnival-goers that every dollar spent helps out Waimanalo.
Maile Makekau, of Waimanalo, rode the merry-go-round with 18-month-old daughter Rain Makekau yesterday afternoon. The annual carnival has been held at Waimanalo Beach Park for 40 years.
The carnival's main purpose is to raise money for the Friends and to help organizations such as the Waimanalo Teen Project and Kailua High School Project Graduation. Most of the money for the Friends group comes from the rides and games. Other organizations keep most of the money they earn from the food booths.
Over three days, some 50,000 people had attended this year's carnival at Waimanalo Beach Park by the time it was wrapping up yesterday afternoon. The three-day event is a fund-raiser for community programs.
