The Pumpkin Festival at Aloun Farms is helping islanders bring a piece of fall home with its “U-pick” pumpkin patch.“I loved going to the Aloun Farms pumpkin patch,” said Alyssa Troyanek, a junior majoring in international cultural studies from Arizona. “Even though you could see Waikiki and the ocean in the distance, it still felt like fall on the mainland.” Kelsie Gordan, a freshman majoring in biology from Washington, said, “I would definitely recommend going to the pumpkin patch at Aloun Farms. You get to pick your own pumpkin, straight off the vine, which is something I’ve never done before.”“I felt like I was back at home for a second, and now it feels like fall, even though we live on a tropical island,” Gordan continued.Located in Kapolei, the 9th annual Pumpkin Festival will be open to the public the last 3 weekends of October, from 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. October 25-26 will be the final days of the Pumpkin Festival. Admission is $3, and pumpkins range from $3-$20, depending on size. Giant pumpkins can also be purchased, and are priced according to weight. Children 2 and under are admitted for free. The farm is cash only, and checks or credit cards will not be accepted.The farm features its pumpkins during the month of October, but Ewa sweet corn, kabocha, string beans, and other local produce can be self-harvested at the festival. The festival also has pony rides, picture booths, tractor pulled hayrides, games, carnival rides, and food stands.The farm is only open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, because weekdays are devoted to student tours. Michael Moefu, Aloun Farms Pumpkin Festival even coordinator, said in an interview with the Honolulu Magazine, “They (students) learn a little bit more about agriculture, not just pumpkins. Corn, sunflowers, beans and over a dozen different varieties of pumpkins.” This is the 10th year that Aloun Farms has hosted educational student tours, and they host an average of 15,000 students each year. Student tours run Tuesdays through Fridays.Aloun Farms is located at 91-1440 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, HI 96707. For more information, visit their website at alounfarms.com.
Writer: Emily Halls ~ Multimedia Journalist
