‘Iolani Fair, known for bringing joy to students, faculty, and community members, is a highly anticipated event that has become a beloved tradition for many. The delicious food, thrilling rides and exciting games contribute to a vibrant atmosphere. This year’s fair, Raider Rodeo, was a two-day event held at the ‘Iolani baseball field on April 19th and 20th.  There were fun activities during lunch in the center courtyard, such as a pie-eating competition and relay races leading up to the family fair. The hard work, effort and dedication put in by the fair team, consisting of students, parents, faculty and staff to make the ‘Iolani Fair a success. They showcased what made this year’s “Raider Rodeo” fair a memorable event. We will delve into the important role that the students played in making the ‘Iolani Fair a tremendous success. 

Ms. Ernette Au is the Faculty Fair Advisor, she works with and oversees what the student chairs work on. There are many people who play a huge role in planning the fair such as staff who dedicate all of their time to this event, along with the student chairs, other faculty members, alumni and parents who work with students by running each booth. 

Preparation for the fair is meticulous and requires choices difficult about the food selection and theme to be made well in advance. According to Ms. Au, “You have to start way before a year ahead to make sure that you figure out what kind of food there is, and we also have to figure out the theme, the theme is the number one thing.” Only once the theme is figured out, all the other planning can begin, such as getting logos made and printed, making booth posters, ordering essential items and so much more. With all of the careful planning and preparation involved, it has become evident that in order for the fair to be a success it will take many people to make it function at its best.

Each member of the fair team must carry out their responsibilities efficiently to ensure a successful operation. Ms. Au explains, “If everyone does their job, it isn’t as tough. If there are any weak links, the others will cover for them.” Once one fair ends, planning for another one begins; shortly after the end of the 2023 ‘Iolani fair, the planning for the 2024 Fair had already begun. Once the logo has been decided, workshops are planned where the adult and student chairs can get together, make posters and receive important news about the fair.

Despite the scheduling conflicts that may arise, it is possible to balance schoolwork, sports and other activities with fair planning by setting priorities, staying in frequent communication with teachers to discuss scheduling issues and adopting effective time management strategies. Ainsley, Lee ’25, one of the Overall Chairs, shares, “Fair is a very big responsibility that does take a lot of time and commitment. Especially when it gets close to Fair, I always make sure I am getting ahead on my homework and communicating with my teachers when there are scheduling conflicts because Fair is the priority.  Sid Srinivasan ’25, who is also a co-chair, states, “Using all my time effectively and wisely is key. Being busy, I have completely eliminated phone usage beyond the necessary amount of time. Using class time effectively is also a really good way to balance my workload and time. Although the fair is a big time commitment, Ms. Au commented, “In general, I would say it’s a lot of fun. And you really get to enjoy working with different people.”

The ‘Iolani Fair is a clear representation of how dedication and hard work can create a successful event. The countless hours put in by each member of the fair team, from students to faculty and staff and to parent volunteers have truly paid off in making an unforgettable event for the ‘Iolani community. Through effective communication and time management, the team was able to navigate any challenges that arose and ensure that everything went smoothly. The commitment to community enjoyment was evident in this year’s fair with so many fan-favorite foods and rides brought back. Although the Fair has ended, it is clear that the spirit of ‘Iolani lives on through every single memory made, bond formed and lesson learned. The ‘Iolani Fair will continue to be a highlight of the school year, showcasing the talent and creativity of the ‘Iolani community. With each year, the Fair will only grow bigger and better, thanks to all the help that makes it possible. The fair isn’t just an event, but a symbol of the strength and unity in the ‘Iolani community.