Punahou went “Back in Time to ’99,” as the School hosted a one-day, ’90s-themed Carnival on Feb. 4, with malasadas, games, entertainment and a few new attractions. With COVID-19 still a concern, this year’s Carnival had to be modified without rides and the general public, and many safety protocols in place. Only current students and their families, along with faculty and staff, were in attendance. But just having an in-person Carnival for the first time in two years was a huge feat for the organizing Junior Class.
“We’re really relieved that all the hard work paid off,” said Luke Sonson ’23, who co-chaired the event with fellow junior Jaynie Fu ’23. “The Carnival is a really big tradition at the School and being able to have it in person is a sign that our School community is together.”
The Carnival featured many favorite traditions, like the Senior Class Variety Show, titled “That ’22 Show,” presented at Dillingham Hall, along with jams and jellies, Portuguese bean soup, gyros, kiddie games, lei po‘o, White Elephant, plant sales and many other offerings. This year’s Silent Auction and Art Gallery took place online.
Added to this year’s lineup: Knockerball for Academy students on Alexander Field; rides on an electric train that was designed and built by students; and a School talent show.
“We’re satisfied with what we could do this year,” Fu said. “I’m super proud of my classmates and grateful to our parents who have been committed from the start. Being able to have our School community together in the same space is really nice. We’re really grateful that we could have Carnival, and we’re hopeful to be able to invite the entire community next year.”
Carnival Coordinator Taryn Yano ’99 Kabei said she was proud of the Junior Class. “They’ve worked hard, and parents and faculty have learned a lot from them about resilience,” she said. “They’ve been thrown obstacles, curve balls and they had to reimagine Carnival, and they’ve done that with positivity and by working together.”
Please enjoy this 2½-minute video capturing the excitement and energy of Friday’s event through the eyes of our student Carnival Co-Chairs Jaynie Fu ’23 and Luke Sonson ’23.