City's summer classes fill up fast
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KANE'OHE — More than 60 parents were lined up by 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Kane'ohe District Park as the perennial scramble to get children signed up for the city's popular summer swimming classes got under way.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
And those were the latecomers.
More than 60 parents lined up outside the Kane'ohe District Park gymnasium Wednesday to register their children for summer athletic programs. Although the registration did not open until late afternoon, many parents arrived first thing in the morning because the popular, inexpensive classes tend to fill up fast. Registration ends today.
David Sunagawa of Kane'ohe was the first in line at 7 a.m.
"It's a tradition for me to be in the top three," said Sunagawa, who held his place until 3:30 p.m., when his wife took over until registration officially began at 6 p.m. "I was the only guy for years, but now two or three other dads come."
It's a routine he has followed for six years knowing that the swimming classes fill quickly.
The city serves about 8,200 people a year in its fall, spring and summer programs in swimming and other activities, said Carol Costa, city spokeswoman. The swim classes held at 20 pools islandwide are very popular and most of them are full, Costa said.
"This is the best deal in town because the price is right," she said. "The youth classes are free. The adult learn-to-swim classes are $1 per class. We have had the same enthusiastic response to the swim program for the past 20 years."
Though most of the classes were filled islandwide in early May, registration at Kaneohe and Kailua district parks started Wednesday and continues through today. Classes are first come, first served.
Sunagawa, a salesman, said he can come early because his hours are flexible, but he does do a lot of work while waiting. He and his wife were able to sign up their two daughters for swimming and tennis.
Yesterday some swim classes were still open at Kane'ohe and Kailua, but the parks offer other classes as well, and parents didn't have to stand in long lines for hours to register. There are classes for adults and seniors as well.
• What: Signup for city-sponsored summer classes in swimming and more • Where: Kailua and Kane'ohe district parks • When: 2 to 5:30 p.m. today
Arish Riordan of Ka'a'awa was disappointed to learn that archery was full at the Kane'ohe park. She signed up her boys for yo-yo and kite-making courses instead.
Summer signup
Riordan said her boys are also signed up for the free Ocean Fun program in Hale'iwa and will take Hawaiian immersion classes at KEY Project in Kahalu'u.
"In general we like to keep our kids active in the summer," Riordan said, adding that the cost is affordable, making it possible to keep her boys busy.
Kathleen Galveso of Waimanalo was signing up her two girls for volleyball and hip-hop at Kailua District Park. This is the second summer Galveso took advantage of the programs, after moving home from Washington, where she lived for three years. She said the programs are interesting for the children, offered at good hours and are inexpensive.
"There's nothing like this in Washington," she said. "This is a good opportunity and people should take advantage of it."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at 234-5266 or eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.
