Ka Papa Lama embraces junior prom night as one to remember

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Photo by Courtesy of Kiare Cabanting

Ka Papa Lama dances the night away cherishing it as “one to remember.” The Class of 2018 celebrated their prom at Hui Noʻeau, being the first outside prom for Kamehameha Schools Maui.

Saturday night Ka Papa Lama, the junior class, held He Pō e Hoʻomanaʻo or A Night to Remember at Hui Noʻeau, hosting Kamehameha Maui’s first outdoor prom.

The evening began with strong gusts of wind and a few showers, and guests were skeptical about the night.

Under the hui’s drive-through archway, attendees signed a Jenga piece to “build memories,” and were checked for dress code.

Following check-in, the guests either had their pictures taken by Nagamine Photo Studios or sat down at their table waiting for the night to start and the rain to end.

The Hui Noʻeau venue included a 1917 old-fashioned art building along with an extensive open lawn.

Walking in from the archway the guests were welcomed by the photography to the right, a pathway surrounded by cushioned seating and games to the left, which then led up to the main clear-topped tent area.

An array of pastel floral centerpieces were part of the table decorations, along with numerous lit candles and the dinnerware. Decor for the night was rustic, with shimmer originating from the glimmer of the chandeliers beaming off the clear-roofed tent.
Photo by Courtesy of Kayla Nitta
An array of pastel floral centerpieces were part of the table decorations, along with numerous lit candles and the dinnerware. Decor for the night was rustic, with shimmer originating from the glimmer of the chandeliers beaming off the clear-roofed tent.

Tables varied from round banquet to wooden farm tables all having their own variation in decoration, whether it was one table with fancy candles, or a square black vase with flowers.

Along with the floral and shining decor, the round tables and ceiling were draped with ivory fabric, connecting the four chandeliers on the roof. The farm tables incorporated the shining aspect with golden runner.

As for the rest of the tent, there was a white dance floor with one side of the floor being a grass wall holding mirrors and a sparkling 2018 sign for the class’s year of graduation.

The night started with an introduction from class adviser Ms. Kathleen Frampton, a regulations speech by vice-principal Mr. Leo Delatori, and a pule by principal Ms. Jay-R Kaʻawa.

After the prayer, tables were excused individually to line up for the Four Sisters’ catered food.

Junior Chloe Lawrence helps herself to food catered by Four Sisters.
Photo by Courtesy of Kayla Nitta
Junior Chloe Lawrence helps herself to food catered by Four Sisters.

The menu consisted of highly-praised macaroni salad, sautéed mahimahi, Korean chicken, linguini, roast beef and green salad.

For dessert the class parents pitched in by making a number of homemade dishes.

Following dinner, emcee Makamae Aquino and myself, junior class president, announced the winners for the hall of fame.

Awards for “nicest eyes” to “beach bum” and even “next American Idol” were announced based on votes from the class.

Ending the hall of fame announcements was the highly anticipated moment of the announcement of prom king and queen. The winners were Daniel Kapua and Kimani Fernandez-Roy.

After the hall of fame awards, Ms. Frampton presented a final award, the Ka Papa Lama award, to me.

She said the award was for “the individual who showed the most involvement towards the class,” and it was voted on by herself and the student government team.

Once all the awards were done, the night moved on to a music video produced by juniors in Digital Video Production and a slideshow.

Then, the moment all the guests were waiting for: dancing time.

The large dance floor quickly flooded with DJ Skinny Guy starting the set with old songs.

During this time, many of the students also flooded the photo booth to get their pictures taken so that they could return to the party quickly.

For the two hours of dancing or playing outdoor games there was not one point where either area was empty.

As the two hours of dancing went by like a flash many were upset to see the night come to a close when the DJ played the last song.

Many shouted for a “hana hou,” but due to time constraints, he was unable to do oblige.

Although the evening started off rainy and windy, everything fell into place as the night went on. The weather dwindled to the perfect weather to keep cool, and the once skeptical students seemed to have a night that they would remember.

*editor’s note: It is the policy of Ka Leo o Nā to not participate in events that we cover; however, our entire staff is comprised of juniors who attended the prom, so we needed to make an exception in this case.