Walk into this year’s KTA Haunted House, and it’s hard not to get excited.
Walk into this year’s KTA Haunted House, and it’s hard not to get excited.
Glistering, silver bubble wrap line several walls — nearby, a grinning skeleton stakes out a dark area patiently waiting to haunt.
Crimson, blood-like paint drips from cardboard panels throughout the maze-like fright house, which extends along the Puainako Street store starting near the front entrance.
There are also milk cartons, telephone cords, CDs — just a taste of the dozens of atypical items used as decor. The house is constructed entirely each year from trash and recycled materials.
“The only thing we have to buy is paint,” event organizer Tony Armstrong said on Thursday, as he and other volunteers spent the morning adding finishing touches to walls and props.
The Seventh annual KTA Haunted House — themed “Outer Space” this year — opens at 5 p.m. and runs through Monday.
Similar to past years, it’s free to the public but attendees are encouraged to donate a nonperishable food item.
Armstrong didn’t want to give away too much detail before the opening. But he described haunts as “middle of the road” and “family friendly.” Screams often result more from “the surprise factor” than an extreme scare, he said.
The Gemini Observatory, among other space organizations, are helping this year, he said, along with the Waiakea High School Interact Club. About 12 costumed volunteers man the house at any given point to help spook guests.
“We don’t make it terrifying,” Armstrong said.
“How I know our haunted house works really well is when you hear tons of screaming and tons of laughing — but just as much laughing as screaming.”
The house is “almost entirely” a volunteer effort, Armstrong said. A committee comprised largely of KTA employees begins planning in January.
This year, volunteers spent more than 500 hours preparing.
Employee Maedina Ongais-Kilaulani, among this year’s committee members, said she often helped prepare during her lunch breaks and days off work.
“It’s a pretty big process,” she said.
“It’s different (this year),” she added.
“Last year’s was more on the scary side, but this year it’s just kind of expanding that (concept) a little bit more.”
This year’s haunted house might break attendance records — it was expanded for the first time to four nights to “better accommodate crowds,” Armstrong said. Last year’s haunted house drew a record 7,300 people during its three-night run, with about 3,300 people attending on Halloween alone.
About 1,000 people crammed in during the last hour, Armstrong said.
“We feel (the haunted house) is just making KTA a fun place to always come to,” he said. “Of course it’s a huge amount of work to make this, build this and set it up. But the fun factor is a very big part of this.”
If you go:
KTA Haunted House
Where: KTA Super Stores, 50 E. Puainako St., Hilo
When: 5-9 p.m. today through Monday; 7 p.m. first-ever all-ages costume contest Monday (Halloween)
Details: Free to the public. Donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted at the entrance. Costumes in the contest must be homemade; prizes will be awarded for first through sixth place.
Contact: Tony Armstrong, 959-9111, tonic7722@yahoo.com
Other Halloween events this weekend:
WITCH’S BALL
Where: Hilo Town Tavern, 168 Keawe St., Hilo
When: 8 p.m. today
Details: This masquerade party is your chance to dress up, come have fun and win “Game of Thrones,” “Supernatural,” “The Walking Dead,” “Outlander,” “Lord of the Rings” items and other prizes. Proceeds benefit hospice to honor Chris LeVesque. Food and beverages available for purchase. Cost for tickets is $10 in advance; tickets available at Bell Book and Candle, 344 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, or online at www.facebook.com/bbc808.
Contact: Sara Bresnehan, 491-8591, everydayalchemy1@gmail.com
KMC MONSTER MASH
Where: Kilauea Military Camp, Ohia Room, 99-252 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
When: 7 p.m. today
Details: Party with the creatures of the night. Cover charge $3 in costume, $5 without. Park fees apply.
Contact: Piilani Galdones, 967-8365, marketing@kmc-volcano.com
“THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”
Where: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo
When: 9 p.m. Monday
Details: There will be a costume contest starting at 8:30 p.m. along with participation kits for sale in the lobby so audience members can play along during the movie. Tickets are $10 in advance or in costume, $12 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling the number below and using a credit card.
Contact: Sheron Bee, 934-7010, info@hilopalace.com
KEIKI HALLOWEEN CRAFTS AND COSTUME PARADE
Where: Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Details: Parade begins at 11 a.m. and parents/caregivers also are invited to wear their Halloween costumes. Free for all ages. Contact the library 10 days in advance to request a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation.
Contact: Mark Kishaba, 933-8891, mark.kishaba@librarieshawaii.org