San Juan Bautista
– When was the last time you tasted Kahlua pig?
San Juan Bautista – When was the last time you tasted Kahlua pig?
Local residents can now relive their Hawaiian honeymoon memories at Anzar High School’s first Luau Dinner, an unconventional fundraiser that the school hopes will be the first of many.
“This is a small school that needs some money,” said Jenny Camara, Anzar parent and one of the event’s organizers.
The decision to hold a fundraising luau instead of the more traditional carwash or pancake breakfast was prompted by Camara’s involvement with the Na Kula O Ke Kai Dancers, a regional troupe of children and adults with more than 150 participants.
“We should have 35 or 40 dancers at the event, the girls were nice enough to volunteer their time on a three-day weekend,” Camara said.
The beauty of the event is that everything – from the traditional Hawaiian fare to the tickets – has been donated, so Anzar will be able to keep every penny earned, Camara said. If the event sells all 200 tickets the school could raise as much as $7,000 – 85 tickets have already been sold.
“And we expect that a lot of people will just buy them at the door,” Camara said.
The money will be entrusted to the Parent Booster Club, who can then use the money to support special activities or programs throughout the year.
In addition to food, the evening will feature hula from the Na Kula O Ke Kai Dancers, in authentic dress and accompanied by live traditional drummers. In another nod to the evening’s Polynesian theme, West Coast Martial Arts will perform a Karate demonstration after the dinner.
“We hope the entertainment will be a real draw,” Camara said. “We’d love to make this an annual event.”
Camara said she hopes parents see the value in coming out for an evening of food and entertainment in support of the rural high school.
“This is good for the school community and it’s good for San Juan,” she said. “Parents should be involved – it’s their kids after all, it’s up to them.”
For tickets, call Anzar High School at 623-7660. Tickets are also being sold at several downtown San Juan businesses.
Danielle Smith covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
