Hundreds of people celebrating Halloween gobbled up the wide spaces being recommended by officials to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Starting Friday, fun festive providers turned to Trunk or Treat events like the one at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, whose Trunk or Treat was sold out at more than 400 spots within hours of reservations being offered.
The Anaina Hou Community Park in Kilauea provided the same type of event, breaking its offering to the younger set with less-scary features before allowing the adults through as the sun dipped below the horizon.
“We’re supposed to get groups of 14 keiki every 15 minutes,” said Akemi Dizol of Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i Saturday during the Halloween Festival presented by Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e. “That’s almost a kid each minute!”
A spokesperson for KGC said the Boo on the Go treat bags were sold out at more than 300 units on the same day registration was announced.
“That’s almost a person a minute,” the spokesperson said. “And we’re trying to get more packages together so no one goes home crying. Everything is being done to keep people safe, and we’re doing everything in accordance with the current health regulations.”
Dizol manned the spider slide created by Jenny Ihara-Takase, a Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i employee who designed the mechanism for distributing no-contact treats in compliance with social distancing.
These health safeguards did not stop the revelers from dressing up, taking full advantage of the selfie stations being offered by Showtime Characters as a venue for entering the virtual costume contest.
Wilcox Health also adapted to the COVID-19 environment by repeating its virtual costume contest, and the deadline for the contest being sponsored by the KQNG Radio Group is today.
The Cognitions program at Kaua‘i Community College joined the excitement with its dynamic, interactive backdrop that enhanced the Showtime Characters’ offerings, many revelers wanting to know if that was a haunted house.
And the fun continues today and into the evening as the Kaua‘i Resilience Project hosts its Trunk or Treat starting at 3 p.m. and continuing through 6 p.m. at the KGC parking lot fronting Nawiliwili Road.
Other Halloween events taking place include the drive-thru King’s Chapel events behind ‘Ele‘ele Shopping Center and at Anchor Cove Shopping Center parking lot in Nawiliwili from 5 to 7 p.m.
Yes, COVID-19 rules apply, including face masks needing to be worn, and social distancing.
Happy Halloween!
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
