Paniolo Night Maui Prep Academy

Maui Preparatory Academy will host their annual Paniolo Night Fundraiser this Saturday, January 23 from 3-9 p.m. at the Napili Campus. The event will help raise funds for the highly anticipated eighth grade class trip to the east coast, which includes exploration of historic sites in Boston and New York City as well as cultural and arts excursions to a Broadway play, a big league ball game, and visiting the sculpture in Central Park.

This event allows community members, MPA Ohana and visiting boosters to support the class trip while enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of great food and entertainment at rock bottom prices. For a mere $20 per adult, $10 per keiki, guests are welcome to an all-you-can-eat barbeque buffet dinner that includes chicken, ribs, corn bread, cole slaw, baked beans, paniolo punch and dessert.  That’s the presale price so hurry, hurry before ticket prices increase by $5 each the day of the event.

Food is being prepared on site by local Chef Rico Bartolome with the assistance of Lisa DeSalvio of the Beach Club at the Ritz Carlton, Kapalua.  This is Chef Rico’s second year running the kitchen, since he earned rave reviews last year and willingly dedicated his time to the event again this year (even though he no longer has a middle school aged child.)

A cadre of MPA volunteer chefs and servers will be on hand to keep things running smoothly, guiding patrons through the generous buffet line and on to the picnic tables outside where they can listen to the house band play country hits and cheer as the next Mr. and Mrs. Paniolo compete for the honor. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their best western attire!

In addition to the dinner, there will be cotton candy, shave ice and popcorn available during the fun fair portion of the event.  There will also be a pie eating contest and Cake Walk – those interested in the Cake Walk should come prepared to trade a homemade confection for a chance to win the cake. Face painting, hat decorating, the ever-popular dunk tank, (who doesn’t love that!?) horseback riding, and a petting zoo round out the offerings guaranteed to make an excellent afternoon in West Maui!

There is nothing like that first class trip to the mainland to infuse students with an appreciation for life beyond their usual frame of reference. Leigh Fitzgerald, Maui Prep Principal, explains, “As we have worked on this fundraising even this year, I have been impressed with how many of our ninth and tenth graders want to assist. Each remembers his or trip (to the east coast) fondly and is eager to assist the (current) eighth graders in fund-raising for their (trip.) It is great to hear the older kids telling stories of their adventures and about how it really served as a bonding experience for their class.”

Scrip will be available onsite the day of the event, or call 665-9966 for presale ticket or more information.