Getting Crafty: MHS Athletics Fair

Photographer Marcus Morifuji Brynn Vincent

Writer Designer Camryn Okinaka

at the Craft Fair with Model UN in December of 2022, recalled her experience at the fair.

Celebrate the changing of the season with Mililani High School at the upcoming MHS Athletics Foundation Mother’s Day Food & Craft Fair, which will take place on Saturday, Apr. 15, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MHS will be welcoming over 175 vendors, providing visitors with an opportunity to support local, small businesses featuring: food trucks; food, drink, and dessert pop-ups; crafters, local artisans and gift retailers. Participants can sit, relax and eat in two covered dining lanais, as music is played by a DJ and prize giveaways are announced throughout the day. This event can be accessed at Mililani High School’s upper parking lot, under B & C Building walkways, on-campus and in the cafeteria. Free parking will be available at the upper parking lot, lower gym lot, Mililani Waena Elementary School and on-street parking.

The Mililani High School Athletics programs hold 3 food & craft fairs every school year in April, November and December. Varieties of clubs, sports-related organizations and teams attend the fair, with students volunteering at their respective booths alongside vendors. Students are expected to assist with restocking and interacting with customers, selling a variety of goods and utilities such as: food, jewelry and clothing. Senior Diana Valez, who previously volunteered

“I liked how many booths there were. I was certainly surprised by how much there was, I don’t think I realized the magnitude that [the Craft Fair] had or the effect that it had on the community until I was there,” said Valez. “It felt nice to know that there was a welcoming community.”

A portion of the profit from the MHS Athletics Foundation Mother’s Day Food & Craft Fair that vendors generate go towards the Athletics department at Mililani High School. For student-athletes, it is an opportunity to gain leadership, time management and customer service skills while contributing towards their sports program.

“I feel the [Craft Fair] is important because it offers a great way to be involved in the community life of the school,” said Donna Shiroma-Nakasue, Event Coordinator of the fair. “It also provides additional funds for helping the sports program, so all of the different sports teams that we have will benefit from the event.”

Attending and working at the Craft Fair is a chance for students to develop a better understanding of the community and recognize the importance of such an event. The fair is also a chance for vendors and local businesses to spread awareness about their services while interacting with the community surrounding Mililani. Members of the community can enjoy a variety of goods, while sustaining locally-owned businesses in return.

“It has been rewarding to be a part of the MHS Food & Craft

Fairs because it brings our community together in support of our school, our athletics programs and small local businesses,” said Shiroma. “In addition, it’s so great to see our student-athletes giving their time and effort to assist vendors with setup and breakdown. Vendors are always impressed by the great attitudes and helpfulness of our volunteers at our events.”

If you have any questions about the MHS Athletics Foundation Food & Craft Fairs, please email Donna Shiroma-Nakasue or call (808) 307-4200. You can also follow the MHS Athletics Foundation Food & Craft Fairs on Instagram and Facebook at @MililaniHS. craft.fairs. Save the date, MHS Athletics Foundation Mother’s Day Food & Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Apr. 15, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.