3rd Annual Teen Expo Aims to Keep Kids Alcohol Free

Kolohe Kai: Roman, Jazzmen, Kahale, and Ko. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

The 3rd Annual Maui Teen Expo takes place this Saturday, May 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului.

“This is a drug free, alcohol free and admission free event for teens”, said Kelly Pearson of the Boys and Girls Club of Maui, who is credited as the program visionary for the event.

The Teen Expo was created to bring to light the importance of keeping alcohol away kids under 21 years of age, and is funded through the County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns.

The event features headliner Kolohe Kai, and includes performances from: Konomi Dance Works; Alexander Dance Academy; a Kendama demonstration; Nā Pua ʻElima; Boys and Girls Club of Lahaina Drummers; and Nā Wai ʻEha.

Youth groups will offer hands on activities such as: art; a vision impaired obstacle course; “Quick Style Game” for prizes; DVD player with dance questions; build your own minecraft; and a drumming activity.  As participants make their way through the youth group activities, they will be given a passport booklet to fill out.  Event organizers say the first 100 participants to fill out the passport booklet get a free photo session during the event at Red Door Portraits at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center.

There will also be a door prize drawing for two sets of two Round Trip Tickets on Mokulele Airlines, a helicopter ride, a Kendama from the Kaleidoscope Store; an XBOX courtesy of Gamestop; movie tickets from Consolidated Theaters, and more.

Sponsors include: the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center; County of Maui; Department of Housing and Human Concerns; Maui Youth and Family Services; Maui Economic Opportunity; Ka Hale A Ke Ola; Da Jam 98.3 FM; Pacific Media Group; Mokulele Airlines; Maui Police Department; Alexander Dance Academy; Boys and Girls Club of Maui, Lahaina, Central, Haʻikū, Paukūkalo, Makawao; Gamestop; Pāʻia Youth and Cultural Center, Maui High School, Baldwin High School, and the Kīhei Youth Center.

The event is for teens, but parents are invited to enjoy the entertainment.