‘Iolani Fair: Pā‘ina in Paradise
Juniors in the Class of 2012 help out in the malasada booth: Kelsey Kato, Cordelia Xie, Adrienne Lee, Eun Ah Cho, Rachel Ki, and Christina Cutler.
Juniors in the Class of 2012 help out in the malasada booth: Kelsey Kato, Cordelia Xie, Adrienne Lee, Eun Ah Cho, Rachel Ki, and Christina Cutler. Members of the Class of ’66 volunteer in a food booth: Brian Sunada, Mel Kaneshige, Gary Lee, Lawrence Goya, and Carey Inouye. The game tent was a hub of excitement. Just ask these voluteers, left to right, xxxxxx, Robert and Susan Main, Donna Shigezawa and Jodie Fong ’15. Fair student chairs Sarah Carlile ’12, Laura Kagami ’12, Jennifer Kumura ’12, Scott Tan ’12 worked closely with teacher Ernette Au, far right, to coordinate activities and promotions. Pre-fair events included a malasada eating contest. Helpers included: (front row) Jaren Nakamura ’11, parent Roxanne Koon, Dylan Goto ’11, Maaya Hayashi ’11; (second row) Scott Tan ’12, teacher Ernette Au, radio personality Sweetie Pacarro, Laura Kagami ’12, news anchor Steve Uyehara, and Clint Hamada ’11. Members of the Class of ’92: Chris Chun, Bentley Pai, Reid Yoshida, Nolan Nakamura, Trevor Benn, Carter Siu, Corey Kubota and Matt Wagner (kneeling). Members of the Class of ’73: John Oki, Mark Merriam, Nelson Takenaka,Guy Fujio, Dean Ochiai, Alan Kojima, Burt Lum, Maurice Kanda, Alan Tamanaha, John Pang and Sanford Ota. Kingsley ’80 and Joan Wong volunteered in the games tent. Fred Li and Tiny Tadani enjoyed the great entertainment. Fair chair Lois Lee, front, and volunteer Diane Kudo make sure all runs smoothly. Fair coordinator Amy Tomisato and fair student advisor Ernette Au Parents in the general store included Scott Wo, Jason Brand, Annie Chang, Linda Ishikawa and Cyrenne Okimura. Retired Dean of Students William Lee ’53 greeted some of his former students: Scott Higa ’82, Lee, Armand Chong ’79, Bruce Hamada ’75, Darren Kai '88 and Nathan Natori ’83 (in front). ‘Iolani’s campus transforms to a fair each year. Twins Sophia ’23 and John ’23 Kimura enjoyed the fair rides.
As we say, ‘Lucky we live Hawai‘i.’
We’re even luckier to belong to a school community that holds an annual fair each April. This year’s theme “Pā‘ina in Paradise” made the specialness of our Hawaiian culture extra fun, exciting, and respectful towards our island lifestyle.
Juniors in the Class of 2012 help out in the malasada booth: Kelsey Kato, Cordelia Xie, Adrienne Lee, Eun Ah Cho, Rachel Ki, and Christina Cutler.
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The fair took place on April 15 and 16 and featured the usual tasty food, like Paniolo Pizza, Chee Hoo-li Beef and Kahuna Korean Plate. The signature dish this year was the original Pā‘ina Dog, a hotdog smothered in kalua pig, chili, cheese and other goodies. The great games, awesome entertainment, amazing talent show, unbelievable bargains, crafts, marketplace, plants, produce, and more also made the fair one to remember. Other highlights included the futsal tournament, cake walk, eco-square, silent auction, student talent show, and great entertainment! This year marked the fair’s 20th anniversary.
Nearly 35,000 people attended with 3,700 volunteers giving back to help make ‘Iolani’s biggest community event another success. Gross proceeds of the fair exceeded $700,000. Funds go towards educational programs, student activities and other aspects of school life. The fair also serves the community by providing a family-fun event for people of all ages to enjoy.
“The ‘Iolani Fair is just like biting into the Pā‘ina Dog,” exclaimed
Dave “Jungle Bob” Roberts, art department head. “It’s something you just have to experience! It’s big, loud and full of spice.”
Fair chair Lois Lee, front, and volunteer Diane Kudo make sure all runs smoothly.
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Fair coordinator
Amy Tomisato and volunteer chair
Lois Lee began working on Pā‘ina in Paradise as soon as the previous year’s fair shut down. They were supported by parents, alumni, students, teachers and friends who volunteered tirelessly to build games, bake cookies, donate goods, make jams and jellies, and provide other valuable services. Some alumni living away from Hawai‘i travelled back to join their classmates by working in food booths and pitching in for old time’s sake.
Now, the tents have been put away and the booths dismantled for storage. But the memories of that special time together linger. Volunteers have already begun preparing for next year’s 21st annual fair.
Don’t miss “Global Getaway” on April 20 and 21, 2012!
