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Sun Shines
on “Porsche Exhibit 2001”
Twenty-Four Cars on Display in Kapiolani Park
by Chip Hughes
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Before 7 a.m. the faithful began arriving with
tents and chairs and tables and Porsche goodies galore for
swap and sale. A light mist drifted over Diamond Head, dusting
the first of twenty-four Porsches to grace reserved parking
stalls on Kalakaua Avenue by the new Waikiki bandstand,
across from Queen’s Surf Beach, in Kapiolani Park. Soon
the mist cleared, the sun broke gloriously through, and
stayed for the remainder of the day. It was Sunday, June
3rd. and “Porsche Exhibit 2001” was under way.
Ambo Ilagan’s chiffon ‘83 911SC was the first
to arrive, followed by President Darryl Lee’s black ‘98
Carrera S and Richard Lau’s platinum ‘84 Carrera. Ed Yuen’s
black SC was next, then John and Joni Arafiles pulled up
in their Boxster S, Doug Wadsworth and son in his silver
911, and Chip Hughes in his 996 cab. Terry Felts, sans
Porsche, hauled a half dozen swap tables and Bernard Chun’s
huge tent. Mike and Carol Cripps had the night before carted
in barricades and pylons to secure parking stalls on Kalakaua.
And now, early on Sunday morning, as PCA-Hawaii members
parked their Porsches in predetermined order -- 356s, Boxsters,
911 cabs, coupes, turbos -- the big job of setting up began.
As more Porsches arrived, V.P. Terry Felts
took charge of erecting Bernard Chun’s massive 20’ x 30’
tent (assisted by Darryl Lee, Richard Lau, John Arafiles,
Ambo Ilagan, Ed Yuen, and other volunteers). Metal poles
of a half dozen different lengths, corner joints and connecters
of odd sizes, ropes and bungee cords in various tangles,
and a gray tarp about the size of Waimanalo didn’t make
the job easier. But Commander Felts deftly guided his crew
through the maelstrom, framing and covering what eventually
came to resemble an actual tent.
Once Marsha Lee’s handsome banner -- “PORSCHE
EXHIBIT 2001” -- was hoisted into place, tables set
up and paper covers rolled into place, and chairs unfolded,
out came Porsche goodies for swap and sale. Seeking a set
of Fuchs wheels? Early 911 bumper guards? A turbo muffler?
Rubber window seals? Detailing products and services? Vintage
PCA-Hawai‘i badges? Club t-shirts and caps? Tropical plants?
Malasadas? You came to the right place! Customers flocked
to tables manned by Terry Felts and Jim Beaumont, Richard
Lau, John and Joni Arafiles, Pierre Bonnet, Linus & Stephanie
Pauling, John Burke & son, John Mayers & son, and Darryl
and Marsha Lee who sold club t-shirts and caps, and handed
out PCA applications. Marsha also solicited entries for
a drawing, whose prizes included posters and a vintage 911
enameled plaque, donated by Theo Davies and won by Linus
Pauling.
As traders, buyers, and sellers swarmed the
swap tables, on Kalakaua Avenue the bustling Waikiki beach
crowd started taking notice of twenty-four awesome Porsches.
Passing cars’ brake lights flashed, walkers and joggers
veered off their customary paths, one cyclist even rode
his bike into a sign pole (he was shaken up, but not hurt).
Our cars were turning heads, all right (see “Who Was There”
on Porsche
Exhibit 2001 p.1).
Meanwhile back at the swap tables the Fuchs
alloys were already gone! One shopper emerged from the tent
with club t-shirts and hats stacked high in his arms. Another
lugging the turbo muffler. Others with oil filters for early
911s. By noon is was getting hot. Sodas and pizzas circulated
from table to table. Maude Lau deserves everyone’s thanks
for bringing five pizzas of vegetarian, sausage, pepperoni,
supreme, and cheese. With the rise in heat, the swap meet
gradually wound down. Before 2 p.m. the tables were cleared,
chairs removed, and Bernard Chun’s huge tent razed.
The break down, like the set up, took the effort
of many members. As President Darryl Lee said: “Thank you
everyone for pitching in and allowing our P.E. 2001 to run
smoothly. From the start, picking up the barricades, pylons,
positioning them in the evening to erecting our first 20’
x 30’ tent. The results were flawless . . . . The truth
of the matter is, none of these events would be a success,
if it wasn't for all of you helping out. Thank you for your
showing up early to set up the tents and for staying through
the end for the breakdown. All your efforts are recognized
and I thank you for your support.”
Thanks to everyone, then, the sun really
did shine on “Porsche Exhibit 2001.”
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