KAINALIU — Nine of Kailua-Kona’s most eligible bachelors were auctioned off one-by-one Saturday night to crowd members at the Aloha Theatre. ADVERTISING KAINALIU — Nine of Kailua-Kona’s most eligible bachelors were auctioned off one-by-one Saturday night to crowd members at
KAINALIU — Nine of Kailua-Kona’s most eligible bachelors were auctioned off one-by-one Saturday night to crowd members at the Aloha Theatre.
The auction benefited the Aloha Performing Arts Company, which brings theatrical productions and entertainment to the theater.
“It’s just such a great opportunity to get women excited about going out with each other,” said Sarah Hagan, board secretary of APAC.
Each of the auction’s bachelors were paired with date packages and auctioned off to the highest bidder. The organization also auctioned off gift baskets and other prizes that didn’t come with a date.
Andrew Kolios, 51, said he was encouraged to sign up as a bachelor while he was bartending one night.
Kolios said he comes to most of the theater’s events, so he couldn’t miss a chance to help support it.
“It’s a great theater,” he said. “It needs to stay.”
Thirty-year-old Arnold Balisalisa said his friends referred him to the event, saying his openness and easy-going nature could make him a good candidate for the auction.
“Plus I’m single, so it’s a good fit,” he said.
Balisalisa was “won” by local business owner Tony Welsh, who “bought” Balisalisa for $300.
Welsh was attending the event with his wife and a friend out of a desire to support the Aloha Theatre.
“Any little bit of entertainment is really special,” he said.
Furthermore, events like the bachelor auction are a great fit for the atmosphere in the theatre and Kainaliu.
“The funkier the better,” he said “It’s just one of those oddball things that works here.”
Many of the auction’s attendees noted the importance the theater has to the community.
“We love the theater and it must survive,” Welsh said. “It would be a huge loss for the community if it wasn’t here.”
That’s true for others like Angie Dungate, who said she’s come to “pretty much every single production” at the Aloha Theatre.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “There are very few places in Kona I would rather be.”
While most bachelors brought in anywhere from $200 to $350, Kailua-Kona bartender Dayne Tavares brought cheers from the crowd after being “sold off” for $625.
The buyer? Tavares’ partner Will Hing.
“We’ve always loved the theater,” said Hing, who encouraged others to come out and support the place.
“It promotes local art,” he said. “We’d like people to come out and support the local community.”
Overall, Hagan said she feels “really good” about the night’s event.
“We had a really fantastic crowd,” she said. “They seemed receptive to everything.”
Hagan also encouraged anybody who would like to get more involved with the theater to do so, saying there’s a role for everyone.
On Sept. 6 and 7, the theater will hold auditions for its next production, “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” That show will run in October, Hagan said.
However, involvement isn’t just limited to performing.
Hagan said the theater is always looking for people who can serve as stagehands, assist with set construction or even people who can spend an evening as an usher at a show.
She said the people who live in the community and contribute to keep the arts in Hawaii are passionate about their lives on the Big Island as well as the arts, which is what makes places like Kainaliu and the Aloha Theatre so unique.
“That’s been the story I think we’ve heard so many times over the years,” Hagan said. “And it’s a beautiful one.”
