KAPA‘A — The sight of the group dressed in prom finery waiting for their ride sparkled in the misting rains Saturday evening along Rice Street in Lihu‘e. The Young Life Capernaum Club at the Lihu‘e Missionary Church hosted a prom
KAPA‘A — The sight of the group dressed in prom finery waiting for their ride sparkled in the misting rains Saturday evening along Rice Street in Lihu‘e.
The Young Life Capernaum Club at the Lihu‘e Missionary Church hosted a prom based on an Oscar night Saturday at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach.
“Young people in the high schools are having their proms now, and a lot of these VIPs don’t have the opportunity to experience this,” said Wendee Van Giesen, of Specialty Balloons, who coordinated the decoration. “They want to be included in the fun, too, so it’s so good the Young Life Capernaum took it on themselves to have a prom for their members.”
Ana Munoz of the Young Life Capernaum said they planned for more than 80 people, including 30 VIP members.
“This is all about the helpers and buddies coming together to make it happen,” she said.
As the group made its way around puddles from the day-long rains, a young man strapping a canopy on a horse trailer watched the procession.
“They never had that when I was in high school,” the young man said. “They look normal to me. When I was in high school, I needed help. They put me in a class where we did nothing, and they finally graduated me, just so I wouldn’t be there anymore. This is really good.”
Barbara Gusman of the Courtyard had her staff running around, moving the special balloon arch from the porte coche where it greeted the arriving guests aboard the Kaua‘i Bus, to the entrance which was set up with the traditional red carpet leading to a pair of life-sized Oscar replicas, and then to the stage where the VIPs and buddies were treated to live music.
“How’s that for a three-way balloon piece?” Van Giesen said. “I think the Young Life Capernaum did really good with this. They got a lot of help from volunteers.”
Munoz said the VIPs arrived at the prom via the Kaua‘i Bus. She said parents were invited to join the group after allowing the VIPs a little time to enjoy themselves.
