Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Punahou Carnival
Mark your calendars for Friday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 3. Here’s everything you need to know about where to park, what to eat and where to shop.
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
Go “Explore the Shore” with family and friends at this year’s Punahou Carnival, which returns with new beach vibes and ocean themes found throughout in the decorations, colors and fun booth names.
Click to the information you want to explore:
- What Is Punahou Carnival?
- Where and When
- How to Pay
- Rides
- What to Do
- Games
- What to Eat
- Entertainment
- Tips
Punahou Carnival, 1932. Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
What Is Punahou Carnival?
One of O‘ahu’s most beloved annual events, this carnival is a Punahou School tradition that has been bringing the community together since 1932. What started originally as a small fundraiser for the school’s yearbook has grown into a two-day massive event that raises money for Punahou’s financial aid program. Each year, more than 4,500 students, parents and alumni volunteer work hard to plan and bring the carnival to life. There’s plenty to do, shop and eat: games, rides, local plants, art, mango chutney and everyone’s favorite: freshly made malasadas.
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
Where and When
The Punahou Carnival will take place on Friday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., at Punahou’s lower campus in Mānoa. The address is 1601 Punahou St. You’ll find the main entrance at the corner of Punahou Street and Wilder Avenue.
Where to Park
Parking isn’t easy to find on site, so consider these community parking spaces—many organizations are partnering with Punahou School just for the carnival, and parking fees go toward their individual fundraisers.
- Central Union Church:
- Friday, Feb. 2, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- $10
- No in-and-out-privileges
- Vehicles may stay parked shortly after carnival closes, but there will be no parking attendant or security on campus after 10 p.m.
- Lutheran Church of Honolulu:
- Open both days, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- $15 donation, cash only
- No in-and-out privileges
- The Parish of St. Clement:
- Open both days 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- $50 for all-day parking
- Shriner’s Hospital for Children:
If the thought of finding and paying for parking is killing your vibes, consider catching TheBus routes 4, 5 or 18. Or ask a family member or that friend who owes you one to drop you off and pick you up! You can also opt for a ride-hailing service like Lyft or Uber.
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
How to Pay
Admission is free. Scrip are required for Punahou’s food, games and other booths. You may remember that the carnival did not accept any cash or the E.K. Fernandez FunPass last year—they are bringing both back for 2024.
You can purchase scrip with cash at the Box Office in Dillingham Hall. At all other locations, the staff will take all major credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Note that debit cards will require a PIN.
To purchase an E.K. Fernandez FunPass for E.K. Fernandez games and rides, head to the trailers on the Lower Field. They will accept cash only, and FunPasses are nonrefundable. You can use a FunPass from previous events.
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
Rides
E.K. Fernandez kiddie rides are back this year, and you can purchase the FunPass with cash only at trailers across Lower Field during Carnival. Here’s the list of rides:
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Balloon Race (54″ max height)
- Baja Buggie
- Helicopters (54″ max height)
- Magic Maze
- Small Pirate Ship
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Carousel
- Jungle Twist
- Lolli Swings
- Super Slide
- Zero Gravity
What to Do at Punahou Carnival
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
Art Gallery
The Art Gallery will feature more than 1,000 artworks by nearly 300 artists, including paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics and glass. The gallery will be at Bishop Learning Center, with a preview opening night on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. All works are available for sale, and proceeds are split between the artist and the carnival fundraiser.
White Elephant
If thrifting is your jam, check out the White Elephant tent where you can score bargains in second-hand goods like clothing, toys, books, music and much more. These items are collected throughout the year by volunteers, and all proceeds support the school’s financial aid program.
Silent Auction
This year’s silent auction is online again and accessible to the public. The auction opens on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at noon for online bidding. In-person viewing will take place during the carnival on Friday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All bidding closes on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 4 p.m. at Luke Lecture Hall in Wo International Center. Each year, there’s a wide variety of items and experiences for sale, like show tickets, spa treatments, jewelry and more.
24,000 Leagues Under The Sea: The Variety Show
The senior class puts together a performance each year for the carnival—they’re involved in everything from writing to graphic design, costumes, set construction and stage management. This year, 24,000 Leagues Under The Sea is hosted by James Coral, and you’ll need to help find missing stars(fish) in the Great Barrier Reef. Purchase tickets early for the 50-minute show, as seats sell out fast. Tickets are priced at $20. Showtimes are 1 and 5 p.m. on both days.
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
Games
Keiki and adults of all ages can enjoy plenty of fun games, including:
- Air Ball
- Basketball
- Bean Bag
- Bowling
- Ducks
- Fish Swish
- Frogs in the Lily Pond
- Grab Bag
- Kiddie Basketball
- Mini Golf
- Puka Horseshoe
- Ring Toss
- Sand Pile
- Splat Trap
- Tic Tac Toe
- Wheel of Fortune
- Whirlpool
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
What to Eat at Punahou Carnival
Did you know that Punahou Carnival sells about 120,000 malasadas each year? These deep-fried pieces of doughy goodness are rolled in more than 5,000 pounds of (donated) sugar. With their popularity, there are two malasada booths to manage demand, as well as two burger booths. Here’s what’s on the menu:
- Beverages
- Corn
- Gyros
- Hamburgers
- Hawaiian Plate
- Ice Cream
- Malasadas
- Smoothies
- Noodles
- Portuguese Bean Soup
- Sweets and Treats (popcorn, cotton candy and candies)
- Taco Salad and Nachos
SEE ALSO: 120,000 Malasadas and Other Fast Facts About Punahou Carnival Food
Entertainment
Friday, Feb. 2
Noon – 1 p.m. Kailua Moon Band
1 – 2 p.m. Imu Jam
2 – 3 p.m. Kanikapila ’73
3 – 4 p.m. The Barefoot Boys
4 – 5 p.m. Kai Duhaylonsod
5 – 6 p.m. Rubber Strings
6 – 7 p.m. I Ku Mau Mau
7 – 8 p.m. O‘ahu College Jazz Band
8 – 9 p.m. Mānoa DNA
9 – 10 p.m. UV
10 – 11 p.m. Cameron Holt
Saturday, Feb. 3
Noon – 1 p.m. Punahou Alumni Glee Club
1 – 2 p.m. Ke Olu
2 – 3 p.m. The Art Kalahiki Band
3 – 4 p.m. The Band Tantalus
4 – 5 p.m. The Rocky Hillbillies
5 – 6 p.m. The Hanahau‘oli Boys
6 – 7 p.m. Yim Family and Friends
7 – 8 p.m. Jenny Yim
8 – 9 p.m. Kapono Na‘ili‘ili
9 – 10 p.m. O‘ahu College Band
Photo: Courtesy of Punahou School
Tips
- The jams and jellies are delicious, which is why they sell out fast. Try to get to the carnival as soon as the booth opens to beat the crowds.
- Rides are discounted on Friday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
- Speaking of crowds, you can find a quieter spot by the Hawaiian Plate area at Dole Hall, mauka of Rice Field parking.
- Wear comfortable shoes and consider bringing a light jacket and an umbrella in case it rains.
- Bring your own reusable bags to carry your food and merch. Want a useful souvenir? Buy a reusable Punahou Carnival bag from the Carnival Wear booth.
- If you lose something, check the Sound Booth’s Lost and Found. The Sound Booth is in front of Mamiya Science Center on Chamberlain Drive.
- First aid is located in Mamiya 107.
Punahou Carnival, Feb. 2 and 3, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Punahou School, 1601 Punahou St., punahou.edu, @punahouschool
