LIHUE — “Exploring Fears and Phobias,” an immersive sensory-based experience into the creepy crawlies and other phobias, opens on Friday at the Kukui Grove Center from 4 to 7 p.m.
Presented by the Kauai Community College, Cognitions Learning Center in partnership with Kukui Grove, the volunteer-based learning experience will also be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as Oct 23, Oct. 24, Oct. 25, and a final run on Oct. 26.
Opening night hours on Friday are from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The doors re-0pen from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a second showing from 3 to 6 p.m. The Oct. 23 hours are from 4 to 7 p.m.
“Come check out a free, spooky opportunity to use your senses at the ‘Exploring Fea’r exhibit at Kukui Grove,” said Trineen Lopes Lacaden of the COGS program. “This is the second year the interactive Halloween experience is presented by the Kauai Community College, the Cognition Learning Center.”
COGS’s vision for “Exploring Fears and Phobias” is to create an immersive space where participants journey through a narrated audio setting while exploring four common phobias. These include arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders; claustrophobia, or the fear of small spaces; acrophobia, or the fear of heights; and maseophobia, or the fear of getting lost.
The task of completing this mission is done with the help of community members and Department of Education K-12 groups, including local artist Trysen Kaneshige of Inspire to Create Media developing the window murals.
The Kapaa High School CTE students of 2025, and the Kauai Community College Automotive Department developed the Cave Build, and audio for the cave was created by Kumu Sheri’s English class at the Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School.
A collaborative effort between the KCC International students and student volunteers, the Boys &Girls Club, Kapaa Clubhouse, and the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School STEM class produced the maze panels with the KCC IT Department and student volunteers creating the lighting, tech, and additional builds.
The trees and spider props were created by the Boys &Girls Club, West Clubhouse with collaboration from the CKMS STEM students.
Other community supporters and helpers include the Alaka‘ina Foundation, Kukui‘ula, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Kauai High School Key Club, the Waimea High School JROTC (in 2024), Deja Vu Surf Hawaii, Kukui Grove Center, and others.
Source: The Garden Island