I blogged earlier about how some civic and native Hawaiian groups on Maui were looking askance at the risque activities which tend to transpire in Old Lahaina on All Hallows Eve. Meaning, chicks with scanty costumes, public drunkeness, and lots of people who probably only think they are having a good time. Sniff sniff. Well, turns out the Lahaina Fun Police are planning to monitor the bash this year. They'll be the ones wearing purple capes, a signature of Traditional Hawaiian authority. Their general beef? There are royal burial grounds in Lahaina and the town is a historic place.

Um, sorta like Washington D.C.? I know a lot of people that party on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Fourth of July. I mean, I can respect their concerns, but lighten up, folks. You can bet that the Merrie Monarch himself, King David Kalakaua (a known reveler and party animal) would have been rocking out in Lahaina had he been alive today. And many traditional Hawaiian chants are extremely ribald in their content. Cops shutting down public drunks and drunk drivers? Totally cool, agree on that. But people having too much fun? Hee hee. (Note to self -- prepare for nasty emails from angry people).

Image via Shaka.com / Marilyn

—Alex, 10/28/07