Headed to Punahou Carnival? Here’s everything you need to know
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The annual Punahou Carnival is back in full swing this weekend with fresh malasadas, mango chutney and more! Here’s a guide with everything you need to know from parking to food and everything in between.
The public is invited to the free family-friendly event on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Punahou’s lower campus in Manoa.
Proceeds from this event will support Punahou School’s need-based financial aid program, benefiting hundreds of students, since 1932.
This year’s theme is “Explore the Shore ‘24.”
WHERE:
Address: 1601 Punahou St. The main entrance is at the corner of Punahou Street and Wilder Avenue.
WHAT TO DO AT PUNAHOU CARNIVAL:
The Art Gallery is the State’s largest pop-up art show, featuring over 1,000 works by nearly 300 Hawaii artists. You can shop in-person or browse online. The gallery will be at Bishop Learning center. Click here for more information on this activity.
White Elephant
For families on a budget, there are bargains galore at the carnival. You can buy books, clothing, houseware items, toys and other treasures at the White Elephant tent.
Silent Auction
Online and accessible to the entire community, select items will be displayed in Luke Lecture Hall in the Wo International Center. Online bidding opened on Wednesday and all bidding closes on Saturday at 4 p.m. Click here for more information on this activity.
24,000 Leagues Under the Sea Variety Show
The Punahou Variety Show is a decades-old tradition showcasing the immense talents of the senior class and adding to the splendor of Carnival. Seniors play an integral part not only in performing but also in writing, graphic design, costume construction, set construction, choreography, and stage management. Click here to learn more about this activity.
Splash Trap
Find out when your favorite student, faculty or staff member will be in the Splash Trap and come by for some fun. Click here to view the schedule.
Buff ‘n Blue Store
Visit the pop-up store in Mamiya 104 for Punahou logo items. Payment types accepted include: Credit cards, Apple Pay, checks or scrip. Cash will not be accepted. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges.
For more info on activities, click here.
WHAT TO EAT:
A main staple of Punahou Carnival is the freshly made malasadas. Approximately 120,000 malasadas are rolled in more than 5,000 pounds of sugar — and they’re all donated!
Here’s a quick preview of the ono food in store this year. Click here for pricing info.
- Beverage – Ewa
- Beverage – Waikiki
- Corn
- Gyros
- Hamburgers – Ewa
- Hamburgers – Waikiki
- Hawaiian Plate
- Ice Cream
- Malasadas – Ewa
- Malasadas – Waikiki
- Smoothies
- Noodles
- Portuguese Bean Soup
- Sweets and Treats (popcorn, cotton candy and candies)
- Taco Salad and Nachos
GAMES:
- Air Ball
- Basketball
- Bean Bag
- Bowling
- Ducks
- Fish Swish
- Frogs in the Lily Pond
- Grab Bag
- Kiddie Basketball
- Mini Golf
- Puka Horseshoe
- Ring Toss
- Sand Pile
- Splat Trap
- Tic Tac Toe
- Wheel of Fortune
- Whirlpool
RIDES:
The E.K. Fernandez FunPass will be needed for all rides and E.K. Fernandez games. Here’s a list of rides:
Open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Balloon Race (54″ max height)
- Baja Buggie
- Helicopters (54″ max height)
- Magic Maze
- Small Pirate Ship
Open 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Carousel
- Jungle Twist
- Lolli Swings
- Super Slide
- Zero Gravity
COST:
Admission is free and the carnival is cashless. Scrip can be purchased with credit or debit cards across the carnival ground. Cash payments for scrip will be accepted at the Box Office in Dillingham Hall.
Scrip is accepted at food booths, specialty booths, Midway and Kiddie Land games.
The E.K. Fernandez FunPass will be needed for all rides and E.K. Fernandez games. A $20 bill will be needed for your first purchase of a FunPass at the E.K. Fernandez trailers. FunPass cards from previous events will be accepted.
Rides will be discounted on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Art Gallery purchases are through credit card only.
PARKING:
There is limited street parking near campus and it’s best to arrive early.
Paid parking is generally available at nearby community institutions such as Central Union Church, Shiners Hospital for Children and Lutheran Church of Honolulu.
Click here for details on paid parking options.
The carnival is also accessible by city buses and rideshare.
TIPS:
- Carnival goers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags for their purchases. Booths will not have plastic bags on hand.
- The Sound Booth is located on Chamberlain Drive in front of Mamiya and is available for information, lost and found items, and announcements.
- First Aid is available for all Carnival attendees in Mamiya 107. HPD and Security officers will be stationed throughout Carnival grounds.
- Check out the art gallery and silent auction, organizers call it the “best-kept secrets” of the carnival.
- Arrive early and beat the crowds for the jam and jellies. They sell out fast.
- If you want to purchase an item from the haku lei booth, click here for more information on what to expect.
- If you’re headed out, be aware of some inclement weather the state is expected this weekend.
FUN FACTS:
- Punahou has a malasada cam livestream expected to go live during the carnival.
- The cooking oil from the malasadas is recycled into biodiesel fuel.
- Approximately 3,200 pounds of green mangoes go into making 9,000 jars of mango chutney.
- At least 33,500 teri burgers are sold each year.
- More than 4,500 volunteers work behind the scenes to make the carnival happen. It’s also hosted the Junior Class of 2025.
For more information or to view a map of Punahou Carnival, click here.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
