Hamakua Springs donated bananas again this year to the Hilo High School Grad Nite.

That’s the alcohol- and drug-free graduation night event the school has put on for fifteen years now. The action starts immediately after the graduation ceremony and lasts until the next morning.

This year three-quarters of the graduating seniors participated (some years it’s more than 90 percent), spending an action-packed night at the Hilo Yacht Club where they:

• climbed a rock wall
• played tennis
• played volleyball
• played basketball
• went swimming
• dressed up and had their picture taken, which was put into a key chain for them
• got massages
• had their portrait sketched
• had their fortune told
• got temporary tattoos (this was the most popular event)
• listened to live music
• danced, and
• ate all night long

Food was available the whole night—from the pizza served for dinner, to the make-your-own banana splits and ice cream sundaes with every possible topping, and then breakfast in the morning.

Each graduate took home a bag of goodies, including a beautiful towel with the Hilo High School logo, a Grad Nite t-shirt, a camera (so they could take pictures with their friends) and a coupon to develop the film.

At 5 a.m., they were bused back to the high school for their parents to pick them up—having spent a safe and sound graduation night, and a memorable one.

Hamakua Springs sends a hearty congratulations to the Hilo High School graduating class of 2006!