October events focus on children

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Celebrate Hawai'i's keiki — that's the simple yet meaningful message of 2001 Hawai'i's Children and Youth Month, presented by Hawai'i Kids Watch, a nonprofit child advocacy organization, as well as dozens of other organizations statewide.

The following free activities are just some of the numerous events taking place throughout October:

• Children and Youth Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. next Sunday at the state Capitol, 'Iolani Palace and Hawai'i State Library grounds. The offerings include educational exhibits, demonstrations, tours of historic places, food and entertainment. For more information, call state Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-14th (Palama, 'Alewa Heights), at 586-6130.
• Windward Mall Family Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 13, with interactive activities, keiki games, entertainment, demonstrations by the Honolulu Fire Department as part of Fire Prevention Week, and more. Call 235-1143 for more information.
• Kalihi Bike Fun Fest, 10 a.m-2 p.m. Oct. 20 at Kapalama Elementary School. Children ages 6-14 can take in bicycle-safety clinics and checks, helmet-safety checks and an information fair. In addition, all bike clinic participants will receive a free helmet and a chance to win a bike. For more information, call HMSA at 948-5084.
• Keiki Car Seat Checkup, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 27 at Leeward Community College. Parents can have their child safety seats checked by nationally-certified child passenger safety technicians and receive instructions on how to safely install and use the seats. Call 956-5015 for more information.

For a complete list of Children and Youth Month events, call state Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Waimalu-Newtown-Pearl City), at 586-8455 or visit kipchawaii.org/children.