Posted on: Friday, October 1, 2004
Free event kicks off Children & Youth Month
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Sunday will be a great day to be a kid.
The 11th annual Children & Youth Day festivities at the State Capitol, 'Iolani Palace, Washington Place and Hawai'i State Art Museum will feature a Yu-Gi-Oh card tournament, 80 interactive activities, trampoline bungee jumping, a watermelon eating contest, rockwall climbing, exhibits and displays.
There's something for toddlers, elementary-age children and teens.
Admission is free and so is parking at all state and county public lots in the area.
"We want to celebrate children," said State Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (D, 'Alewa Heights-Kalihi-Liliha-Nu'uanu-Palama-Pu'unui), coordinator of the Zippy's Children & Youth Day event that kicks off Hawai'i's 2004 Children & Youth Month activities. "We wanted a day where children could have fun with their families and just enjoy themselves without having to worry about paying."
More than 100 organizations are donating resources and manpower to the event, Chun Oakland said. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Food will be sold but families are welcome to bring their own food to picnic on the grounds, Chun Oakland said.
The "Geckos in Paradise" sculptures will be on display in the courtyard of the State Art Museum (the former Hemmeter building) and tours of the 'Iolani Palace gallery and Washington Place will be offered. There will be fire and police vehicles on site for children to check out.
The list of entertainers performing include Jordan Segundo, Brother Nolan, Ho'onua, Tanilynn Fujimoto and Marlene Baldueza.
Other free Children & Youth Month activities:
• Oct. 9. Windward Mall's Family Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 235-1143 or check www.WindwardMallHawaii.com for details.
• Oct. 15-17. Talk Story Festival at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Call 692-5751 for information.
• Oct. 16. Pearlridge's Keiki Celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 488-0981 for details. • Oct. 16. Family Health Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi. Call 485-4116 for information. • Oct. 23. Keiki Caucus Summit, State Capitol Auditorium, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 586-6130 or 586-6050 for details. • Oct. 30. Leeward Community College Fun & Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 455-0255 for information. • Oct. 30. Westside Youth Festival, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wai'anae Mall. Call 595-0562 (ext. 252) for details. Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
