Family-Friendly Halloween Events Abound

By Vanessa Wolf

Photo by Vanessa Wolf.

Halloween isn’t until late next week, but that shouldn’t stop you from starting your celebrations early and keeping it going until then.

From the sounds of things, there will be enough sugar around to keep your kids buzzing until Christmas.

Friday, October 25

The Maui Mall is hosting their annual Halloween event this Friday, Oct. 25 with trick-or-treating starting at 5:30 p.m.

For those into dressing up animals, the pet costume contest begins at 6 p.m. with registration the half hour before.

Categories include most original, look-alike, cutest and scariest, and anyone who thinks they have the lock on “cutest” has clearly not met this writer’s goofball dog.

Meanwhile, the keiki costume contest commences at 7 p.m. and is broken down by age groups: 0-2, 3-4, 5-8, and 9-12.

There will also be carnival games and a performance by Maui cartoon characters.

The event is free to the public.

Saturday, October 26

The following morning, “A Keiki’s Walk” Halloween Costume Fundraiser for Maui Children in Crisis starts at 8 a.m.

Over the past 20 years, A Keiki’s Dream has provided more than 1500 dreams for Maui children and their families.

Pre-registration for the walk is at 7 a.m. at Hui Aloha Playground at the Beach Road side of Ke’opuolani Park.

The simple one-mile walk through the park starts and ends at the above-mentioned playground by Beach Road, below the soccer fields.

Organizers encourage participants to come dressed in costume and get amped up at the trick-or-treat at stations set up along the course.

There will also be child-friendly activities at the Finish Area.

There is one minor catch in that each walker is asked to raise or contribute a minimum donation of $30 (or $20 for children under 18), and there are prizes for those who raise the most money.

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Also on Saturday, Oct. 26 is Kalama’s Fright Night at the Kalama Intermediate School campus in Makawao.

For those who dare, the haunted house will begin terrifying guests at 4:30 p.m. and continue stopping hearts until 9:30 p.m.

For you pansies and children under age six, special times will be designated as kid-friendly and will include an opportunity to trick-or-treat.

Organizers also promise food booths, a photo booth, a fortune-teller, face painting and games.

If you come in costume, enter the “Amazing Costume Contest.”

Judges will award prizes to those with the best Halloween costumes in categories including Cutest Costume, Scariest Costume and Most Original.

Admission is free.

Thursday, October 31

On Halloween itself, your little one can take part in the 35th Annual Lahaina Keiki Halloween Parade.

Kids are to line up at the corner of Papalaua and Front Streets at 4:15 p.m., and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Children are invited to come in costume and parade down Front Street to the Banyan Tree Park to receive a congratulatory ribbon and bag of treats.

They also have the chance to walk across a stage to show off their costumes and provide parents an opportunity for pictures.

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If you’re not up for the whole Lahaina thing, the Hope Chapel Trunk-or-Treat Spectacular starts at 5:30 p.m.

Geared very much at little ones, this event offers trick-or-treating door-to-door… amongst a parking lot full of cars laden with treats (presumably in the trunk).

Prepare for some squealing, as ponies (!) will be at the ready to take your child on a tour.

Organizers also promise a hayride, petting zoo, games and entertainment in a “well-managed and ultra-safe controlled environment.”

The $3 entry fee includes all the candy, rides and attractions you can handle and family-friendly meals will also be available for an additional charge.

All proceeds from this event will go to Before I am Taken, a project of Global Hope to stop human trafficking before it starts.

Have an idea for a fun or thought-provoking story or topic? Get in touch: we want to hear from you. -Vanessa (@mauinow.com)