PUHI — Saturday was only the second time Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School hosted its street festival, an event it wants to turn into a monthly fundraising event. “I won’t be here for the next one because our band will be
PUHI — Saturday was only the second time Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School hosted its street festival, an event it wants to turn into a monthly fundraising event.
“I won’t be here for the next one because our band will be on O‘ahu,” said Sarah Tochiki, CKMS band director, who headed up the activities section. “I’m sure there will be another group to fill in while we do our field trip.”
Tochiki, who utilizes the street festival for the band’s fundraising effort, is credited with starting the gathering which is trying to establish itself on the second Saturday of each month.
“She got the idea while traveling on the Mainland,” said Jody McCune, coordinator of the CKMS Street Festival. “We tried it last month and it has been a success. We’ve been getting more phone calls from vendors interested in setting up for the event.”
McCune said the next event scheduled for Nov. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. should be even bigger. The name for the event has also been changed to the CKMS Street Festival.
“We’re going to open the cafeteria so people can enjoy their meals inside,” said Debra Badua, the CKMS principal, who spent the evening walking the line of lunchwagons and vendor tents. “We also have some people who can entertain so we’ll set up the audio system and diners can enjoy entertainment while having their meals.”
One of the adjustments from last month’s event was moving the food trucks to the opposite side of the drive through, greatly improving pedestrian safety and allowing diners to use the covered sidewalk and benches to enjoy their selections.
Tochiki said they also re-located the activities from the parking lot leading to the covered gym to the area near the office, better linking the parking lot with the drive through lane. “Not only do we get better traffic, we can open up the small parking lot for customers,” Tochiki said. “We’re always looking for ways to make this better.”
For more information, call McCune at 212-3473.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
