Our Sponsors!

Founded in 2010, the Pumpkin Carving Festival was held at the Neal Blaisdell Center Hawaii Suites and Galleria as a fundraiser for Keiki O Ka Aina Mentorship Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. More than 1,100 guests attended the first year family event and Corporate Carving Competition. "One of the purposes for this community event was to establish a new holiday tradition for families", says Founder Billie Gabriel. "Carving pumpkins is not something many Hawaii families get to do together with other families, and we wanted to give them an opportunity to fellowship in a fun and festive atmosphere." The beneficiaries of the 2011 event are Keiki O Ka Aina and the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center.

The Pumpkin Carving Festival started as a one-day family event held each Fall, preceding Halloween, that offers families an opportunity to create a new tradition of carving pumpkins in a festive atmosphere with other families from the community. A Design Team, made up of master carvers, pastry chefs, artists and culinary students, are on-site to offer tips to families on new carving techniques and ideas for their pumpkins.

Families enjoy walking through the SAFEWAY Pumpkin Patch to see pumpkins of all sizes (15 lbs. - 100 lbs.) carved by master carvers, artists and celebrities. Each year, the Galleria will be magically transformed into a popular family-themed photo area for souvenir photos with costumed-characters. In 2010, the Yellow-Brick Road led families to Dorothy, the Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow in the beautiful Emerald Forest where they had their family portrait taken. The theme for 2011 will be Alice in Wonderland.

Corporate Carving Competition

In 2010, sixteen (16) corporate teams participated in the carving competition. With a ten-person team, each company is given four pumpkins to carve and create a display in two hours. Winners of the 2010 Corporate Competition were Grace Pacific Corporation, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Athletic Trainers and Retired Police, each taking First Place in their respective categories.

The 2011 Corporate Competition will be held the day before the family event, on Friday-October 21, thus allowing the entries to be displayed the next day at the family event.

Entry fee is $700.00 ($350.00 tax-deductible) for a ten-person team.

Sponsorship Opportunities

A Pumpkin Carving Festival sponsorship will give your company the chance to align yourself with a fun, safe and quality family event. The 2011 Pumpkin Carving Festival will be expanded to two days, starting with the Corporate Carving Competition on Friday evening, October 21, and the Family Day on Saturday, October 22. The comprehensive print, radio and television advertising and media campaign appeals to a broad spectrum of people. Your company's involvement will allow you to gain exposure for your products and services with the option to merchandise or test-market a new product or service and receive direct exposure to potential customers within a two-day period. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Billie Gabriel at 808.497.7264.