Punahou Carnival is roaring back to Punahou School’s lower campus in Mānoa this Friday and Saturday, wrapping the grounds in the Class of 2026’s “Welcome to the Jungle” theme. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the fair runs until 10 p.m. both days, with rides, games, a sprawling Art Gallery, and fresh malasadas on deck, and every dollar raised going to student scholarships and the school’s financial aid program.
What to expect on campus
According to Punahou School, the junior class came up with the jungle theme and will be running booths across the lower campus. The weekend lineup features the senior Variety Show along with dozens of student-run food and craft stalls, plus E.K. Fernandez rides geared to everyone from little keiki to thrill-seekers.
Rides, games and the state’s largest art sale
The Carnival Art Gallery, billed as Hawai‘i’s largest, will display more than 1,000 works by nearly 300 local artists while the midway fills up with food stands and game booths. Honolulu Magazine notes that the event routinely draws tens of thousands of visitors, turning Carnival weekend into a major moment for local vendors and artists.
Tickets, FunPass, and getting there
Admission to Carnival is free, but many booths use scrip, and most E.K. Fernandez rides require a FunPass or physical ride card that comes with a small activation fee; pricing details and the in-app payment option are listed on the Carnival site. Punahou Carnival also spells out on-campus and nearby paid parking choices and suggests either taking TheBus or arriving early to keep the wait times in check.
Money for a mission
Organizers emphasize that Carnival is a key fundraiser, with proceeds going to Punahou’s financial aid program and scholarships that support nearly 700 students, according to Honolulu Magazine. As KITV reported on Feb. 4, the weekend blends community fun with long-term support for students and is powered largely by the junior class, along with a sizable volunteer crew.
