Halloween traditions, like so many others in the wake of COVID-19, will look different this year, but families have options to stay safe and have fun.
The state Department of Health recommends celebrating with household members at home and avoiding traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children or children take candy from a shared bucket. These are high-risk activities as they can result in close contact and crowding among people.
“It’s more important than ever to put safety first,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of the Department of Health (DOH). “Gatherings on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day led to spikes in positive cases in Hawaii. This Halloween, be extra mindful as you navigate how to safely celebrate in order to keep the spread of coronavirus as low as possible during this holiday.”
Ideas for safer, low-risk activities include hosting a scary movie watch party online, organizing a neighborhood pumpkin carving contest and carving the pumpkins with people in your household and hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest. Another fun idea is a Halloween scavenger hunt in which children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.
Most importantly, officials encourage everyone to keep following safe practices — avoid large gatherings, keep a distance of 6 feet from others, wash hands often, and wear a cloth face covering.
“This year more than ever it is important to celebrate Halloween safely and responsibly,” said Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim. “As COVID-19 is still active in our community, please know that the preventive policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings are mandated to help prevent the spread of the virus. Please accept this kuleana to make Hawaii Island safe.”
For more tips to stay safe this holiday season go to HawaiiCOVID19.com/safe-halloween and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.
In line with celebrating safely and responsibly, Tim Ewing, curator one of the most popular Halloween destinations in Kona for the past two decades, is changing things up.
“It is with deep regret and great sadness that we have to announce that for the first time in 20 years there will not be a Haunted House on Sea View Circle,” said Ewing. “We have decided that we can not in good conscience have large crowds of children and adults in our haunt and in the maze and dungeon during the current COVID-19 outbreak.”
Instead of rendering his yard into a haunted house to be traversed by hundreds on Halloween night, Ewing is erecting an elaborate display on his property and handing out candy to goblins and ghouls via a chute to reduce contact and potential transmission of the virus.
“This year’s theme was going to be the zombie apocalypse, however, since we appear to living through it now, we will put (the haunted yard) off for a year. I will still decorate my yard. I just won’t have my maze, dungeon, live and animatronic monsters,” he said.
Some neighborhoods in West Hawaii have decided to close their doors to trick-or-treaters, altogether.
Dominic Yagong, spokesperson for The Pines I homeowner’s association, said the decision to close down the popular destination was made reluctantly but was necessary. Yagong said there will be a person stationed at the Pines I entrances to inform would-be revelers of the subdivision’s closure.
“The owners know The Pines is a popular and safe spot for Halloween and are disheartened that they will not be able to participate this year, but with COVID, they know it should not be open for trick-or-treat,” he said.
Luala’i in Waimea has become Halloween central over the last decade in Waimea, attracting thousands of revelers to the neighborhood for a giant block party.
“Regretfully, in view of the high likelihood that the state and county will uphold restrictions on large public gatherings beyond October 31st, the Board of Directors of the Luala’i Community Association are recommending that Halloween candy not be handed out to the general public by homeowners this Halloween,” a letter sent to homeowners states.
Although traditional trick-or-treating is being discouraged, there are alternative venues to get your spook on in West Hawaii:
• Maunakea Observatories announced its first-ever virtual costume contest. Usually paired with the Waimea Solar System Walk, this year the contest is all online. Photos can be submitted via email tomaunakeaobservatory@gmail.com or by posting on social media using the tag #MKOHalloween2020.
• Queens’ MarketPlace will be celebrating the fun, fright and delight of “HalloQueen” in a newly imagined way with health and safety measures considered.
Keiki will have a chance to show off their Halloween costumes in a safe, socially distanced environment while shopping at Queens’ MarketPlace. Though Oct. 31, children can pick up a spooktacular treat-filled bag at participating merchants with no purchase required. Costumes are welcomed but not required, however, face masks must be worn at all times.
Families can also take advantage of the Fall Harvest photo opportunity, complete with pumpkins, hay bales, and scare crows. Take a photo of your little ones in costume or a selfie in front of the photo for an opportunity to win one of two $200 gift card packs to Queens’ MarketPlace merchants. Photos must be posted on Instagram or Facebook with the tag @QueensMarketPlace by Oct. 31. Two winners will be chosen at random on Nov. 1. For more details, visit www.queensmarketplace.com or call 886-8822.
• Lanihau Center is calling all keiki ghosts, cuties, princes, princesses, and super kids to post a spooky or cute photo in costume and tag @shoplanihau and #lanihaulloween for a chance to win two $100 gift cards to Lanihau Center merchants. Submission must be posted by Oct. 31 with the winner being announced Nov. 2.
• Parker Ranch Center celebrates Halloween with No Tricks — Just Treats from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31 with drive-through trick-or-treating for ghosts, ghouls, and giggles. Keiki and family encouraged to dress up to celebrate — including decorating cars. The drive-through event will be held next to the Ikua Purdy statue. Face masks must be worn during pick-up. Go to www.facebook.com/events/379922760087087 to sign up.
• Keauhou Shopping Center is hosting pumpkin carving and Pretty Cool Pumpkins Halloween Photo contests today through Oct. 31. Follow @shopkeauhou on Facebook or Instagram and tag @shopkeauhou and in your pumpkin photo or photos taken of the centers pumpkins and Halloween props to enter. In order to be eligible, pumpkin carving supplies must be purchased at KTA Keauhou and/or Longs Drugs. Prizes will be given to the first-, second- and third-place pumpkin carving entries and to the first- and second-place Pretty Cool Pumpkins Halloween Photo entries. For more details, visit www.keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events.