From left, Kekani Palos, Radon Sinenci, Isaiah Tanner and Kelsi Badua, and Melody Kaina-Tianio and Jaslynne Kanoeau created fun costumes for the Halloween Boarders’ Dance.

LAHAINA – As an alumni boarder, I remember rewards and privileges, such as dances and parties, that we were fortunate to have during the school year.

As a dorm attendant at Lahainaluna High School, I wanted to bring those back for the current boarders to enjoy and create memories for them to look back on when they become alumni, so the boarders and I decided to plan a Halloween Boarders’ Dance.

Once the planning process began, we hit the ground running, and on Oct. 24, 2015, they were treated to a Halloween lu’au bash with friends and guests.

Through the donations from Taste of Aloha and Shaun Saribay, the students and their guests enjoyed a night of ‘ono food courtesy of CJ Ho’okano & Poi by the Pound; dinner entertainment by Jesse Tanoue, Zac Kekona, and Koa Hewahewa; photo booth; cotton candy and shave ice by PartyZone Maui; and, to top it off, they danced the night away with Deejay Jay Cuaresma.

The Halloween festivities also included some scavenger hunts and a costume contest, with awards going to the scariest (Jaslynne Kanoeau), funniest (Radon Sinenci), best pair (Isaiah Tanner and Kelsi Badua), and overall boy (Kekani Palos) and girl (Melody Kaina-Tianio).

The boarders also participated in the Lahainaluna Pumpkin Pageant – a pumpkin carving contest that was voted on by their guests – which was won by the junior boys. Prizes ranged from gift cards, gift certificates and a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses to the overall costume contest winners.

Big mahalos go out to the following: Coach Bobby Watson for donating cases of bottled water; Aunty Rae Matsumoto for her continued support and helping with ordering supplies and the donation of pumpkins; Ryan Chang and Safeway Lahaina for the donations of pumpkins and carving kits; Aileen Sumibcay and Hard Rock Cafe for the donation of gift certificates and pineapples; Aunty Ruthie and Maui Jim Sunglasses for the donation of grand prizes; Henry and Teddy’s Bigger Burgers for gift card donations; Noe Matsuda for donation of candies and ice cream; Aunty Jane Casco for her hard work and dedication; Sandi Camargo for her donation; Cassidy Boteilho for her hard work; and Roxanne and Fred Sinenci, Danielle and Roland Prieto, and Carmela Garcia and Kim Braceros for all of their continued support and hard work throughout the weeks of planning and preparation.

Much mahalo goes out to the community of Lahaina. Your generous donations and support are making an impact on the lives of these young men and women, and that feeling of lokahi is something that they will carry on in their lives forever. Imua Lahainaluna!!