As a child growing up in Hawai'i, actress Kelly Preston didn't really dive that deep into the world of superheroes or comic-book fantasies. Sure, she read some comics and had her own fantasies, but she was far from being a fanatic.

"I grew up with the Incredible Hulk, but I read Superman," she said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where she was promoting her new movie. "Oh, how I loved Wonder Woman. But mostly, I read Veronica, Archie and Jughead comics. And Richie Rich."

Preston, 42, plays a mom with superhero powers in Disney's "Sky High," premiering Friday, and the film has triggered some memories from her Island past.

"This one's all in good fun, all light-hearted, very upbeat and clean," she said. In it, she portrays mom Josie Stronghold and flying superhero Jetstream. Her husband, the Commander, is portrayed by Kurt Russell, a Disney actor since he was a child.

"It's a unique concept, a film with a wonderful message, about a school for teens in the sky" where youths with super-powers go through puberty while learning to fight injustice, Preston said.

While the movie explores the fantastical world of superheroes, the storyline deals with lessons applicable to both the normal and the powerful. "It all boils down to the fact that you can make mistakes, and your friends forgive you; that anybody can make a difference and be a hero, too," she said.

The film's twist is that while the Preston and Russell characters have superpowers, their son, Will (played by Michael Angarano, of "Lords of Dogtown") has no powers of his own. Instead of joining the ranks of the high-powered Heroes, Will finds himself a Sidekick.

"It's about going through those rough teen years, attempting to fit in, while trying to please your parents — living up to expectations of a normal life," Preston said.

The movie blends superhero antics with cool gadgetry, while the Heroes and Sidekicks parallel the world of jocks and geeks — those who are in and those who aren't. An overbearing gym coach (Bruce Campbell) rounds out the crew.

Preston met one of her childhood faves, Wonder Woman, on set. Lynda Carter, who played the character on TV, has a role as the school principal.

"The superheroes in this film are tongue in cheek; the movie doesn't take itself seriously," she said. "There are a lot of laughs, and it's good fun for the whole family.

"In this genre, it's wonderful — you can show superhero power, and also show the power of parents," said the mother of two. "To me, parents (in real life) have to be a superhero to their kids. You give them everything ... love, attention, support."

Married to actor John Travolta, Preston said their children, Jett, 13, and Ella Bleu, 5, have not succumbed to the culture of comic books. Yet.

"They don't read comics, and they don't watch much TV," said Preston. "Growing up in Hawai'i, I was really into outdoor things — swimming, picnicking at Kapi'olani Park, doing lots of outdoor stuff. So as a family, we do a lot of outside things, too."

She and Travolta find joy in playing with their kids. "We play all sorts of games," she said. "Johnny just made up a new game for the children — called 'We Need a Little Christmas Right This Minute.' We have an art table and only use paper, crayon, scissors and tape, and he'll make a Christmas tree 10 inches tall, with a little paper stand; we decorate with paper dolls, paper airplanes, pair chains, pearls drawn on paper, anything out of paper, and also make fun boxes out of paper — and decorate them."

It's a bonding experience, she said.

"Kids keep you active," she said of juggling motherhood with her acting career. "And young."

Travolta, an accomplished pilot, is known to love flying planes. The Travoltas live in Florida, from which they fly off to a myriad of destinations. "Sometimes we fly off five times a week. ... We use the plane as a car," she said.

Turns out Preston has aerial ambitions, too.

"I think I would love the power to fly," she said. "I've even had flying dreams, that always come back to Hawai'i. In one dream, I would be flying over the water, with 39-foot, 40-foot waves; in another, I'd be atop the palm trees, flying. I don't know why, but my flying dreams mostly have to do with Hawai'i."

But there's another wish: "I also wish I had the power to snap my fingers, like 'I Dream of Jeannie,' and make things happen. Bring peace to the world. End world hunger. Stop the drugging of kids." Her comments make reference to Preston's embrace of Scientology, which she also credits for strengthening her relationship with Travolta.

Preston still visits the Island frequently; her mom, dad, aunties, cousins and other 'ohana have called Hawai'i home for years. She lived mostly in East O'ahu — 'Aina Haina, Kahala, Hawai'i Kai — and has memories galore of Zippy's plate lunches, Jackass Ginger, dining at Keo's, slurping Hale'iwa shave ice, puka-shell hunting and more. She graduated from Punahou School in 1980 and filmed several Japanese commercials as a teen.

Kamalalehua, her Hawaiian middle name, means garden of lehua, the blossom often honored in hula songs and dances.

Her recent films have included "Eulogy," with Ray Romano, Hank Azaria, and Debra Winger. She also played the mom in "The Cat in the Hat."

"I did Kirstie Alley's 'Fat Actress' TV series, and I'm the spokesman for Neutrogena. Otherwise, I'll take the rest of the summer off," she said.

Hawai'i fans will see Preston in upcoming public service announcements about fighting drugs with education and prevention, and helping those with ice addiction.

"Drugs are everybody's problem," said Preston, who identifies herself as a former drug user. "Drugs are the downfall of culture, hurting Hawai'i and tearing families part. It's been important for me to come home and help put an end to the problem."