LIHUE — Jonah Stein, a Boy Scout from Troop 334, Kalaheo, said the World Jamboree is the Disneyland of Boy Scouting Saturday while he waited for Kamalei Berg of Troop 148 at Lihue Airport.
The two Scouts are representing Kauai when they meet up with other Hawaii Scouts under Troop 434 before reaching the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.
“We’ll be there under Troop 434 from Oahu,” Stein said. “There’re the two of us from Kauai, a few Scouts from Maui, and the remainder from Oahu. This is very exciting.”
Berg was busy with last-minute tasks involved with traveling, including picking up an aloha shirt from a discount store before leaving.
“He doesn’t have an aloha shirt,” Stein said. “We decided we would do this to represent Hawaii when it is our turn to present. The World Jamboree is
international, and there’s going to be a lot of food. It’s exciting — imagine taking the island of Kauai (population wise) and putting it all in a space like Lihue.”
Berg was supposed to participate in the Kauai Junior Lifeguard island finals that was taking place at Kalapaki Beach Saturday.
“I’m supposed to be there,” Berg said, checking on last-minute items that needed to be packed before checking in.
“I still have to do my Eagle project — building a pavilion for the Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School. But I guess I can do signs while on the plane.”
Described as the largest party in the world, the World Scout Jamboree is friendship, hosting more than 50,000 scouts from more than 160 countries living side-by-side from July 21 through Aug. 3.
“It’s the Disneyland of Boy Scouting,” Stein said.
“There are so many activities to take part in — rock climbing, shooting rifles, shotguns, and for those interested in STEM, there is a section for that, too.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
