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By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Thousands enjoy the food, rides and other attractions
at the annual Punahou Carnival yesterday. Although there
was a brawl among youths last night, most carnival-goers
were unaware of the disturbance until today. Police say
they were tipped off about a possible fight before it occurred.

Carnival-goers
unaware of stabbings

Kalihi boy, 17, arrested after
two 15-year-olds injured in fight

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By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

The stabbing of two 15-year-old Village Park boys at the Punahou Carnival went unnoticed by thousands of carnival-goers last night.

This morning, some parent and student carnival volunteers at Punahou School were shocked to learn of the incident.

"I wish I knew about it last night because I was walking around by myself at some points," said 17-year-old volunteer Jennifer Frost this morning. The Punahou junior said she worked at the malasada booth near the scene of the incident until 12:30 a.m. "No one told us anything."

Police said the two stabbing victims may have been jumped by a large number of youths at about 9:40 p.m. yesterday.

The fight broke out between a few youths and several others joined in, police said.

By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Carnival-goers get a thrill on one of the rides yesterday.

One of the boys was taken to Queen's Medical Center in serious condition, but was upgraded to guarded condition this morning, police said. The other youth was treated and released.

Police arrested a fleeing 17-year-old Kalihi boy, who had a sword strapped to his leg inside his pants. It was unclear whether he was directly involved in the stabbing.

The annual carnival, which continues today until 11:30 p.m., draws thousands to its rides and other attractions.

Police said a phone call warning of a possible fight was made before the incident last night.

Some parents and students said they heard the incident happened off campus, but campus security supervisor John Kapapa said it happened off the midway on Palm Drive, which runs through the campus.

During the carnival, its use is restricted as a service road and is closed to the public with a police officer posted at the gate. The street is used as a student drop-off area during school hours.

"Each year, we make every effort, working with our internal security, E.K. Fernandez and HPD, to secure our carnival grounds and provide a fun event for the families in our community," school officials said in a written statement.

"We are reviewing the details of the incident last night and will take every possible action that will allow us to reassure our families that this is a safe event for them."

None of the boys involved were Punahou students, according to the school statement.

Some parents were going to exercise extra caution for the safety of their children at the carnival tonight, while others said they were not unduly concerned.

"I hope they beef up security more," said Debbie Shimizu, a parent who was working at the malasada booth today and last night.

"It's sad because students think that this is like their second home, and they can't feel safe here," Shimizu said. "It's unfortunate that no place is really safe."

But parent Lynne Nakama wasn't concerned about safety tonight.

"I don't think that it should dampen the spirits of the carnival at all."