Well, what a success! Halloween in Lahaina is back – congratulations to Mayor ALAN ARAKAWA, the Office of Economic Development, Planning Department and LAHAINATOWN ACTION COMMITTEE for pulling it off despite all the setbacks, including a temporary restraining order (which Judge Rhonda Loo threw out) and a day in court 48 hours prior. The judge claimed, in part, that two of the organizations suing were not legally organized and had no membership. LAC was forced to hire attorney PETER HOROVITZ, who successfully represented them with 24 hours’ notice. LAC had never had legal representation before – never needed it…

… LAC’s LYNN DONOVAN, with SNAE PATEL and KAUIONALANI WALLER organized Campbell Park for the event, assisted by Board Members JILL HOLLEY, SEAN CORPUEL, JACK STARR, KATHY O’BRIEN, KATHY CLARKE, CAROL TAKASHIMA, JAMIE ARNOLD, DENNIS ELMS, President KAPULE PAOA and Equipment Manager PETE FAUST. They strategically placed over 60 volunteers around the historic sites to act as security, but they all reported “NO NEED”…

… one of the highlights of the evening was the impromptu breakout of the “FLASH MOB” by the Iao Theater’s MAUI ONSTAGE in zombie costumes dancing to Michael Jackson’s “THRILLER.” They were joined by onlookers until they took up the whole center of the park. They were egged on by the crowds above at Captain Jack’s whooping and hollering. It was something to have seen – and heard!!!…

… NOEL MONTELEONE was there with his music – just like old times. I happened to be standing outside the old KIMO’S in 1978 when Noel came down dressed as RAJAH with his new bride chained to him and an entourage harem chained behind them on their way to Longhi’s for the wedding celebration. That was pretty much the beginning of the Front Street Halloween celebration, as the following year, more Rajahs appeared with dancing girls and clowns and presidents and you name it. And the crowds got bigger and bigger ’til 1988, when LahainaTown Action Committee’s DAVID ALLAIRE and JOAN McKELVEY stepped in, got the street closed and brought some organization to the event…

… in 1979, the SOROPTIMISTS and LAHAINA ROTARY organized the keiki parade, which has also grown and grown. This year, there were more than 600 kids…

… well done, LAHAINA!…

… so roll on Thanksgiving, and then the town will light up the BANYAN TREE for Christmas…

Up Front Lahaina is a twice monthly feature. To protect his innocence, the writer chooses to remain anonymous. The views expressed in this column belong to the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Lahaina News staff and owners.