August 11, 2008
Sunset on the Beach 2008
Sunset on the Beach has come to the Waianae Coast again. It’s a festival of family fun, food, entertainment and community services. It all came together at Maile Beach Park on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Sunset on the Beach is a fund-raiser for Valley of Rainbows, a wonderful organization that benefits out local keiki (kids.) They’ve brought together a wonderland of rides and attractions for the keiki, foods, crafts, entertainment and community services. I wandered the midway and tents for a couple of hours. I bought tee shirts and made contributions to support the Valley of Rainbows and Life Foundation (education and support organization focusing on HIV/AIDS in Hawaii and the Pacific,) talked with health, community support, children and family services, alternative transportation and housing services representatives and marveled at how many family and keiki support groups are available right here on our coast. I collected so much swag that the handles of my goodie bag were cutting into my hand before the day was over.
Two stages provided continuous entertainment, from local musicians and dancers to keiki watermelon-eating and pie-eating contests. Excess watermelon was loaded on platters and passed out to the crowd and to workers in the community services tent. The aroma of smoking meats lured me to the food booths, where all of the local favorites were being served up. Some booths offered free samples. I had to buy a bottle of Pelekunu’s grilling sauce/marinade after tasting several varieties, but ended up buying a catfish dinner from my pal Ceecee of Mom’s Soul Food for my take-home meal.
Much of the focus of Sunset on the Beach is on providing a good time for the keiki, but you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the experience. The carnival atmosphere encouraged friendly attitudes and spirit of fun in everyone I met. I made a few new friends today and had a pleasant afternoon, even though I only stayed a few hours. Folks who stayed late were rewarded with a movie shortly after sunset (tonight it was The Bucket List.) The evening wrapped up with a fireworks show that was visible and resoundingly audible from my home as I sat down to start this post.
Technorati Tags: community celebrations, community services, family fun, festivals, Hawaii, Maile, photos, Sunset on the Beach, Waianae Coast
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September 1st, 2008 at 9:09 am, Turn on the Sirens! It’s Carnival Time! Says:
[…] is sharing a post with us that’s all about the Sunset on the Beach 2008 posted over at Skeet’s Stuff. It’s all about raising money for the kids but […]