I joined the crowds this month at Pearlridge Center for the eighth annual Celebrate Father's Day festivities, sponsored by the Hawai'i Coalition for Dads. Fathers of all shapes and sizes took over Pearlridge Uptown and threw a party for their kids, with face painting, temporary tattoos, model building, picture-frame making and, of course, the traditional father-child look-alike contest.

To be honest, it felt more like Children's Day and I suppose that is how it should have been, because being a dad is all about being there for your kids. So as my daughter had her face painted, I took some time to look around. It was a revealing afternoon that taught me much about the changing face of fathering.

Most of the activity stations were staffed by fathers, but few could match the enthusiasm of the dad manning the frame-making station. He snapped Polaroid photographs of each child and gave the shot to the keiki, who then made a beautiful Popsicle-stick frame for his or her daddy.

What made this dad so special was the way he treated children. This guy was a real nurturer. He offered words of encouragement, asked if they were having fun and gave each child his undivided attention.

Not only were dads running the games, but many joined their kids in the festivities. One dad lumbered up to the stage to join in a line-dance lesson. He looked like a deer in the headlights. He never said a word, but I swear I saw the tiniest smile cross his face when he finally "got it."

The dance was clearly outside of his comfort zone but he was a trouper and, more importantly, a role model for his kids.

Then there was the father-and-son duo entered in the look-alike contest. Dad looked like a real tough guy. He was dressed in a white tank top, surf shorts, rubber slippers, gold-chain necklace and sunglasses. He was covered in tattoos, had a shaved head and weighed upwards of 240 pounds. His son was a Mini-Me — minus the tattoos.

Talk about intimidating — I was ready to give his boy my lunch money!

Still, while Dad looked rugged, my years of social work have taught me never to judge a book by its cover.

I noticed that while Dad was not overindulgent with his affection, he frequently kept a hand on his son's shoulder, gently guiding him through the quagmire of people. For all Dad's tough-guy looks, when I later asked how he did in the competition, he smiled and said that he and his son took second place. I could see the pride on his face and the love in the eyes of his child.

Gov. Linda Lingle and the City Council declared June as "Father's Month." It is quite an honor and reflective of the hard work of the Coalition for Dads. More importantly, it reveals an exciting trend: There are more dads than ever involved in the lives of their children.

When a father's involvement is high, kids do better in school, have more confidence and higher self-esteem, and are more likely to be drug-free.

Every time you wish a dad "Happy Father's Day," remember: If that dad is involved in his kids' life, what you are really saying is "Happy Children's Day!"

Michael C. DeMattos is a faculty member of the University of Hawai'i School of Social Work. He lives in Kane'ohe with his wife, daughter and two dogs.