Punahou School’s “Carnival Before Time: A Prehistoric Paradise”

The Punahou Carnival is one of the island’s favorite weekend celebrations.  As it only happens once a year, it’s the kind of thing many locals — especially Punahou alumni like myself — look forward to.

The tradition began back in 1932, when, during the Depression, Academy students hosted an “Oahuan Campus Carnival” to raise money for the yearbook. Held on Rice Field (which fronts Wilder Street), it took place early one Friday afternoon in April and lasted until late evening, with the usual Carnival fare and games. In the end, they raised $240 for the Oahuan. In 1936, the PTA and the junior class banded together and introduced the first Carnival rides.  Today, the Punahou Carnival consists of rides, games, food booths, a white elephant tent, auctions and more.  Annually, it raises more than $2 million for Punahou’s financial aid program.

I try to make it a point to be in Honolulu for the Punahou Carnival.  For about 2 decades it’s been my favorite weekend of the year — and that weekend, February 4-5, is quickly approaching!

First time visitors will find the Carnival jam-packed with local food and family fun.  As a local and yearly volunteer in the Malasada booth, I look most forward to stocking up on some plants, clothes, and goodies — so much so that I’ve been holding off on spending money so I’ll have more to spend at the Carnival!

Carnival will be held on Friday, February 4 and Saturday, February 5, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Parking can be horrendous, so I highly suggest taking the bus or biking to Punahou’s campus [MAP].

Go HERE for more info on this year’s Carnival.

Photo courtesy of Punahou School