A keiki appreciation event.As our busy days zoom by, we must not forget to nurture our most valuable resource—our children. In conjunction with the Kihei Youth Center and Sen. Roz Baker, the Hawai‘i Medical Services Association (HMSA) presents the 2nd Annual South Maui Children and Youth Day event on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Kenolio Park Recreation Complex in Kihei. The event will celebrate families, with a focus on preschool to middle school children.
This month, a series of events across the state will be part of Hawai‘i’s 2008 Children and Youth Month, celebrating 15 years of keiki appreciation. The South Maui Children and Youth Day will highlight events focused on education, with several hands-on activities to encourage parents to spend quality time with their precious keiki.
The community is invited to enjoy this free, fun-filled family event which will feature free interactive, educational activities from over 20 nonprofit organizations. Tasty food will be available, and in compliance with the County of Maui vendor administrative rules, no craft items will be sold.
The first 500 preschool to middle school kids who complete the Treasure Hunt game will be eligible to receive special goodie bags filled with items donated by event sponsors. Also, glow stick necklaces will be handed out, compliments of ResortQuest Hawai‘i—the management company of Kihei’s popular Maui Lu Hotel.
Have fun with the HMSA prize wheel, and don’t miss Kula the Klown, who will demonstrate his unicycle riding skills and silly tricks that will bring a smile to any keiki’s face. Maui Electric Company will have an interactive display about electricity, and Maui County Department of Water Supply will give away fun and informative activity books on conservation.
For budding scientists and curious kiddies, Alaka‘ina Foundation will have the Digital Bus onsite for exploration. Hawai‘i Dental Service will feature an oral health educational game, and the Home Depot will host a Kid’s Woodwork Workshop for the aspiring builder in your kids.
The Coalition for a Drug Free Hawai‘i will provide button-making and games to keep children informed on the dangers of abuse.
Besides the learning activities, South Maui Children and Youth Day will have bouncing castles, cool games and other entertainment throughout the day. Kids will show off their star quality with the Baldwin High School Junior ROTC Drill Team, Kihei Youth Center’s “Na Leo O Na Opio” and keiki dancers from Pohaikealoha Hula Halau with Kumu Hula Autny Doll Aricayos. The world-renowned GameKids—under the direction of Kahu Rennie Mau of Keolahou Church—will be on-hand to offer educational activities that encourage youth to play with creativity and imagination.
Parents and grandparents alike can enjoy the showcases under the huge resting tent in front of center stage.
The event committee is made up of volunteers from the Kihei community who saw a need for more South Maui family events. This event also fits perfectly with the mission of the Kihei Youth Center to provide more fun family opportunities. With the joint efforts and vision of Sen. Roz Baker, the South Maui Children and Youth Day became a reality last October, and this year is sure to be another fantastic family affair.
It is so important to cherish and celebrate our youth every day. Come support your community, event sponsors and volunteers as they come together to show their appreciation of the children of Hawai‘i.
The Kenolio Park Recreation Complex is located at 131 S. Kihei Road, across from the Kihei Canoe Club. For additional information, contact chairwoman Sen. Roz Baker at (808) 667-2225, senbaker@capitol.hawaii.gov or the Kihei Youth Center at (808) 879-8689.