In Ewa Beach, Halloween used to be one of the most anticipated events of the year for elementary school students. At schools like Kaimiloa Elementary, the excitement started weeks in advance–students picked out costumes, decorated classrooms, and looked forward to the annual Halloween parade. On October 31st, the entire school would gather to walk around the campus in costume, waving to teachers and parents, showing off glitter wings, superhero masks, and homemade outfits. For many, it was a highlight of childhood.
But by the time students reach high school that festive energy gradually faded.
The hallways are still in October. There are fewer costumes, fewer decorations, and no school-wide events to mark the day. While some students still choose to dress up or celebrate outside of school, participation varies. The shift may be due to different priorities, increased responsibilities, or changes in how students choose to express themselves. Compared to elementary school, the overall atmosphere around Halloween tends to be more lowkey.
Growing up changes the way students experience traditions. What once felt magical now feels optional. The thrill of trick-or-treating becomes a chore, and the excitement of dressing up fades into indifference. Responsibilities increase, social pressures grow, and the carefree joy of childhood Halloween slowly slips away. As students grow up and go into high school like James Campbell, it has little to no spirit of Halloween.
But the memories remain. The smell of plastic masks, the sound of candy rustling in pillowcases, and the glow of jack-o’-lanterns on neighborhood steps who once ran through Ewa Beach streets without a care. Halloween may not look the same, but its ghost lives on– in the stories we tell, the photos we scroll past, and the quiet nostalgia that creeps in every October.
But not everyone forgets. Even as the decorations fade and spirits disappear, some students still carry pieces of Halloween with them.
For Braiden Ceria, a senior in James Campbell High School, Halloween used to feel like a guaranteed celebration. “Back then, it was automatic,” he said, “You dressed up, got candy, and everyone was part of it. Now it feels more optional–like something you choose to care about.”
He remembers the thrill of walking through a makeshift haunted house in his elementary school office and seeing classmates in costume. “It wasn’t anything big, but it made the day feel special.”
Now Halloween feels quieter. “Trunk-or-treat is safer,” he said, “but they take away the fun of walking around with family and friends.” Fewer students dress up, and the excitement has faded. Still, Ceria still holds onto the memories. He doesn’t just miss the candy–he misses how simple it all felt. When he was younger, Halloween was something everyone looked forward to without question. Now, he feels that growing up means more responsibilities and less time for traditions. The excitement isn’t gone, just quieter. But even if things have changed, the fun of those early years hasn’t been forgotten.
And for others, the shift is more personal. Robbi Caparas, another senior at James Campbell High School reflected on how Halloween has changed as he’s grown older.
“In elementary school, Halloween felt like a big deal,” he said “I remember picking out costumes weeks in advance and being excited to show them off.” Caparas said.
Unlike Ceria, Capra’s school did have Halloween events. “We had a parade every year. Everyone walked around the campus in costume, and parents came to watch.” Now in high school, Caparas notices the difference. “It’s not that people don’t care,” he said, “It’s just quieter as we grow up. Some of us still dress up, but it’s not a school-wide thing anymore. Halloween feels more like a choice now, something not everyone automatically joins in.”
He believes growing up plays a big role. “We have more going on– homework, jobs, responsibilities. It’s harder to make time for stuff like this. Others think it’s childish also. But I think the spirit’s still there, just in smaller ways.”
When asked what he misses most, Capras said that “Probably the excitement. Back then, it felt like the whole day was made for fun. Now it’s just another day unless you decide to make it special.”
Halloween in Ewa Beach may not feel as magical as it once did, but its spirit hasn’t diminished. As students grow older, the excitement fades, replaced by new priorities and quieter celebrations. Still, memories of parades, costumes, and candy linger. For many, growing up doesn’t mean letting go–it just means carrying those moments in a different way.
