More than 4,500 residents and visitors attended Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s first-ever “Lahaina Plantation Days, Then and Now” event from Thursday through Saturday on the Pioneer Mill site surrounding the historic smokestack. In the “Plantation Life Tent,” maps of West Maui’s plantation camps and memorabilia collected by Lahaina residents Andy Kutsunai and Bob Kawaguchi reunited former residents with their plantation roots. Here, Lillian (left) and Jane Agawa enjoy the displays.

LAHAINA — The West Side will kick off Lahainaluna High School’s 2009 football season with the second annual “Redo the Imu” Tailgate Party on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Boarders’ Field on campus.

Gates will open at 9:45 a.m., and entertainment will begin at 10:45 a.m.

This special event raises funds and awareness for the Lahainaluna High School Foundation Athletic Committee’s project to bring a state-of-the-art football/soccer/track/assembly facility to the historic campus.

Plans call for a Field Turf playing surface, all-weather six-lane track, seating for 3,000, lights, press box, meeting rooms and restrooms.

This year’s event promises to be a great one with onolicious food from Cool Cat Cafe (voted best hamburger on Maui for the sixth year in a row); beverages from Coca-Cola of Maui; entertainment by the Lunas’ cheerleaders, pep squad and LHS band; party bouncer; football skills challenge for the kids; a masseuse; cotton candy; live remote radio broadcast from KONI 104.7 FM; and a special guest from ESPN, Neil Everett.

Formerly a sports reporter for KGMB9 in Hawaii, Everett will provide the play-by-play coverage of the Lunas’ preseason football game against the Red Raiders of Kauai.

The Lahainaluna Class of 1962’s Noosh Nishihara will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.

The LHS band will start the festivities, followed by a performance by the current Lunas cheerleading squad. A special presentation by the Lahainaluna cheerleaders of 1965 will highlight the morning’s entertainment.

 The LHS Class of 1965 will celebrate its reunion at the game, and with a dinner and evening of fun, games and memories.

Special honored guests will be Henry “Bruno” Ariyoshi and Robert Matsumoto, the coaches that guided the 1965 Lunas to an undefeated season and the Maui Interscholastic League championship.

Spearheading the event is Leslie Kato, one of the co-captains of that Lunas championship team who now resides in Honolulu. Class members from all over the state and the Mainland are expected to attend.

Kick-off for the contest between the Lunas and Red Raiders is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. The defending Maui Interscholastic League Division II champions, the Lunas finished the 2008 season with a 7-3 record. Kauai High won the Kauai Interscholastic League with a 7-1 record last year.   

Jeff Rogers, Lahainaluna High School Foundation development coordinator, noted that the Ke Ala O Na Po‘okela (Path of Champions) Community Brick Paver program continues in support of the “Redo the Imu” project.

Tax-deductible donations of $150, $500 or $1,000 will bring a personalized brick to the entryway to the proposed stadium at Lahainaluna.

Rogers said there is also a promotion to ask Front Street merchants to help LHS celebrate by posting student-designed posters in their windows and decorate their storefronts in red and white.

“Please show them some aloha and visit those stores to show your appreciation,” he said.