The goal is to spark discussions between schools and families about good health and well-being.

Six plays in HTY's 2006-07 season will coincide with DOH programs and initiatives.

"It is our shared mission to make a positive difference in the lives of Hawai'i's young people and families," said Chiyome Fukino, DOH director. "HTY reaches almost 100,000 children and families across the state each year, in an active and engaging manner. Laughter, understanding another's viewpoint and imaginative solutions are at the heart of theatrical work and all are very helpful when learning about new perspectives. It's an ideal way to deliver our public health messages."

The following HTY plays and DOH programs and branches will pair up during the season:

i "SPORT" with the Healthy Hawai'i Initiative: 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, and 18.

This energetic play has toured Europe and the U.S., poking fun at everything from friendly competition to shameless commercialization of the game — all while showing the healthy benefits of play.

i "Christmas Talk Story" with the Clean Water Branch/Solid Waste Branch: Opening Night, 7:30 p.m. Dec 1 at 7:30 p.m., 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2 to 23.

This annual showcase for local writers will take a new format this year. In addition to short pieces by local professional writers and live holiday music, each performance will include a short section written by students from across O'ahu. The Clean Water and Solid Waste Branches will have their "story" told as well, when a fish Santa gives back all the unwanted "gifts" humans have bestowed on the sea.

i "A Thousand Cranes" with the Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office: Opening Night, 7:30 p.m. Jan 19, 2007; 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 to Feb. 10, 2007.

The true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young victim of the Hiroshima atomic bomb disaster. This production will utilize masks, music, origami and traditional Japanese theatrical forms to tell the dynamic story of one of the most famous girls in modern history and how her cry for peace touched the world. Audiences will also learn about ways they can prepare for an emergency situation, and receive Plan 9, a list of nine essential emergency supplies every household should have.

i "The Stones" with Tobacco Prevention and Control: 7:30 p.m. March 2 and 9, 2007; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. March 3 and 10, 2007.

In the blink of an eye, a harmless prank becomes a deadly crime when two teenagers kick a rock off a freeway overpass resulting in a fatal car crash. The boys quickly find themselves balancing on a delicate line between mischief and manslaughter during a police investigation and trial that will test their friendship and determine the course of their lives. Inspired by the 1994 death of an Australian motorist, "The Stones" retraces the events surrounding this tragedy. Using the work's characters, local playwright Yokanaan Kearns will create a short original play for Tobacco Prevention and Control to follow the performance as part of a discussion on peer pressure and individual responsibility.

i "The Sense-sational Show"/"Tales of Old Hawai'i" with the Hawai'i Invasive Species Program/Vector Control Branch: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. March 3 to April 14, 2007.

A pair of shows for very young children partners with the Hawai'i Invasive Species Program/Vector Control Branch. Using costumes and puppets, longtime HTY actor Cynthia See will bring to life important health issues related to creeping critters and irritating insects.

i "The Magical Bird: A Fabulous Filipino Folk Tale" with the Clean Water Branch, Non-Point Source Pollution Program: Opening Night, 7:30 p.m. April 13, 2007; 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. April 14 to May 12, 2007.

This classic Filipino story, commissioned as part of the 100th anniversary of Filipinos in Hawai'i, has plenty of comedy, original music and colorful puppetry woven in with messages about keeping our environment clean.

For more information, call 586-4434 or visit www.htyweb.org.