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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Lahaina Halloween attracts 30,000

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor

LAHAINA, Maui — A crowd estimated at 30,000 enjoyed Halloween night festivities in Lahaina town with no serious injuries or incidents, officials said.

Not everyone was well-behaved, however, with police arresting eight suspected drunken motorists and four underage drinkers. Other arrests included a 25-year-old Lahaina woman charged with open lewdness for going topless on Front Street, and three males for marijuana possession.

Seven of the arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of intoxicants occurred between 9:45 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m. yesterday at police roadblocks on Honoapi'ilani Highway.

The other arrest occurred just after 7 p.m. Monday when a 32-year-old Lahaina woman hit a moped rider at the intersection of Kenui and Front streets. Lahaina District commander Capt. Charles Hirata said the woman tried to flee but was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, driving without a license and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. The moped rider did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Among those arrested for underage drinking was a 19-year-old Wailuku man who also was charged with disorderly conduct in a brawl with another teenager on Front Street.

Two men were arrested at Library Park on suspicion of promoting marijuana in the third degree. A 16-year-old Hana boy was arrested for investigation of the same offense on Front Street. A 21-year-old Honolulu man was arrested for investigation into disorderly conduct in a fight at the corner Dickenson and Front streets.

Winners of the Maui Tacos Great Halloween Costume Contest were The Front Street Regulars, led by Bunt and Ann Burkhalter of Lahaina, who won the $1,000 grand prize for their 13-person entry, "Your Local Library." It was the third year in a row that "The Regulars" captured the top prize, and their fourth win overall.

The entry featured a librarian, a young library patron, two bookends, a 15-foot-long bookworm, six books that were 5 to 7 feet tall, and book characters such as Professor Dumbledore from the "Harry Potter" series and "The Hungry Caterpillar" from the Eric Carle children's book.

Wayne Lowry of Kea'au on the Big Island and his entry "The Invader" finished second; Michael Escalante of Kihei and his "Tinman Family" entry placed third. Other winners included teams from California and Rhode Island.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.