LIHU‘E — The Jam Room will open for the third time in its new location adjacent to The Game Stop on Friday at Kukui Grove Center after a moment of silence to remember the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, according
LIHU‘E — The Jam Room will open for the third time in its new location adjacent to The Game Stop on Friday at Kukui Grove Center after a moment of silence to remember the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, according to Art Umezu.
Umezu, of Musique International, one of the Jam Room’s sponsors along with Kukui Grove, said Daphne Sanchez, the hostess of the weekly Friday night event, penned an agreement to be at the mall each Friday through the holidays.
“This is the place for teens to be,” said Sanchez, a graduate of Kapa‘a High School and now a freshman at Kaua‘i Community College. “Adults are welcome too, but mostly this is a place where teens can come and hang out.”
Since its launching earlier in the summer, Umezu said they’ve enjoyed a good crowd each week.
The opening of The Jam Room coincided with the end of school and the need for a place for teens to gather.
“It’s kind of like a club for teens, but it doesn’t get crazy,” Sanchez said. “People respect the area and each other, and everyone has fun. It gets a little crazy sometimes, but it’s fun.”
Since its opening, the weekly crowds have moved the location to a bigger and better facility.
“We opened in the new spot on Aug. 28 — just in time to celebrate my birthday,” Sanchez, who was joined by Juno Apalla during the summer stints, said. “Juno’s back in Oregon for school, so now it’s me and I’m looking for a co-host.”
During one of the early openings, Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. dropped in, and after performing a number in the open mic platform, vowed to try and keep the place open.
Since then, Umezu said they’ve had visits from Daniel Cummings and Aldrine Guerrero and a contingent of Japanese travelers who were here for the Kaua‘i Marathon.
“We try and operate on various themes that appeal to teens,” Sanchez said. “Later this year, we’ll be doing a rainbow event where people can contribute items that will eventually go toward helping someone less fortunate during the holidays. But it has to be teen-related.”
Visit www.thegardenisland.com for video of this event.
