No Fair? No Fair.

By this time last year, our island’s residents would have experienced the joy of attending the annual Maui Fair. Unfortunately, our year didn’t see the COVID-19 pandemic coming; consequently influencing the cancelation of a longstanding tradition and opening doors to the public’s opinion.

On May 14, 2020, fair organizers at Maui Fair Alliance (MFA) announced the cancellation of the 98th Maui Fair set for October 1 to 4. Considering the dangers of the new coronavirus, public health guidelines have limited the number of people who can gather in one area. Seeing that the county fair attracts nearly 90,000 people annually, it was best advised to make this hard decision.

The island of Maui catches sight of this special event annually in the fall, welcoming all members of the community, including students and teachers who have finished working hard through the first quarter of a new school year. The Maui Fair has served as a hub for residents to come together to have fun, socialize, and enjoy local entertainment and ‘ono food. There are plenty of things to do and see at the county fair. From the E.K. Fernandez Joy Zone to tents such as the livestock exhibit and Better Living tent, live music, Orchidland, and much more. Our Fair has allowed many to create memories, interests, and traditions.

With the halting of the beloved event, kamaʻāina have a mix of emotions; many feeling a touch of sadness.

“I’m very saddened about the loss of the Maui County fair this year. It’s taken world wars and now COVID-19 to cancel the fair,” says Mayor Victorino in a statement. The Maui Fair has been providing joy since 1916 till the present day, 2020. The fair was only paused four times. Once during the first World War, which coincidentally, was around the same time as the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, and on three occasions during WWII.

In an interview with The Maui News, Avery Chumbley, President of the MFA shared his emotions. “I’m feeling really empty right now knowing that we won’t be able to gather as a community. There’s been generations of kids that have grown up looking forward to the fair.”

Some students were disappointed as well. “I’m really sad about it since last year I had the opportunity to meet new people I can call my best friends,” explained Mykayla Lorenzo, a junior who has been planning her fair weekend with friends since the previous year. Many students saw the county fair as a safe place for them to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and make an abundant amount of memories.

“We participate in fair parking for my club, HOSA. And because we won’t be able to help this year, it decreases our chances of bonding with other club members,” shares Norlito Ranchez , Treasurer of the Maui High HOSA club. Many clubs are disappointed with the pause of this year's fair. Most saw this event as one of the best times of the year to offer their services to the community while interacting and having fun with one another.

Students from Maui High are not just disheartened from a social point of view. A good handful is also aware of the economic changes. Seanna Dagdag, a junior who enjoys visiting the fair with friends and family, believes that this cancellation will affect vendors who used the fair as a way to fundraise .“I was looking forward to being able to support the different businesses and creations of the community through the artwork, displays, tent vendors, and even food vendors.”

Aside from the change in profit of businesses, residents also considered the wallets of locals. “I think a lot of families wouldn’t have the opportunity to go at all because so many people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Although the fair gives many people a small income even if it’s for a short amount of time” announced Brandy Waiohu, a 2019 Maui High graduate.

Michell Cortes, a sophomore, expresses one of the benefits provided from this year's halt. “Since many families have lost at least one source of steady income as a cause of the pandemic, I believe not having a fair this year would benefit families economically by helping them save money,” she states.

Our community has displayed sorrow but many do look on the bright side. Residents of Maui also convey an understanding and appreciative response to the cancellation.

Senior Ruth Boretta thought the cancelation was the best way to practice social distancing. “It’s a smart choice to cancel since it's such a big event that gets so crowded.” With almost 90,000 people attending the fair, it would be nearly impossible to keep a 6 feet distance from each other suggested by public health officials. “I’m happy the fair is canceled so that way COVID numbers don’t increase,” stated Jaden Lapuebla, another junior attending Maui High.

During the past few months, the number of cases in Hawaii has been displayed as a rollercoaster ride; going up and down, never announcing when numbers will increase or decrease. The health of our community has been taken into consideration by almost everyone that many locals stand with the simple phrase, better safe than sorry.