KO OLINA, Hawaii — Grab the kiddos for the 7th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival that will take place on Oahu’s west side at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, from 4 to 8 p.m. on May 20.
At the heart of the event are wellness, local culture and language and the environment. Every family member can participate in arts and crafts, family activities and enjoy food and snack booths, live performances, and the Disney film “Encanto” on the beach at sunset to top off the event.
Festival ticket holders can take advantage of special festival room rates at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, only through Wednesday, April 19. All proceeds from event ticket sales will benefit Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
Festival highlights:
- Learn basic drawing skills from renowned street artist and POW! WOW! and Worldwide Walls Founder Jasper Wong.
- Enjoy readings and presentations by Hawaii authors at the Bess Press Reading Room, including Punky Aloha creator Shar Tui‘asoa.
- Learn about coral reefs and the importance of caring for ocean ecosystems through activities with Kuleana Coral Restoration.
- Take part in art projects while learning about native Hawaiian plants at Malama Learning Center, plus take home a seed packet to grow your own plants.
- See the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” that tells the tale of Mirabel who strikes out to save the magic surrounding her home of Encanto.
Event activities include balloon sculptures with Balloon Monsoon, face paintings and tattoos by Cutie Cake Face artists, free customized keiki IDs courtesy of Hamada Financial Group, fun exercises choreographed to music and dance with Keiki Zumba, and Teddy Bear Mobile Hawaii where kids can select, stuff and take home a furry friend (with purchase). Adults will appreciate a massage at the Ko Olina Wellness Spa booth (though kids may partake as well).
All proceeds from the Ko Olina Children’s Festival go toward Kapiolani Medical Center to support Hawaii’s only maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty medical center. The not-for-profit medical center treats keiki regardless of the illness or injury or the family’s ability to pay. The event has raised over $400,000 since 2014.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back and continuing our tradition of support for Kapiolani Medical Center’s amazing work,” said Sweetie Nelson, director of destination marketing at Ko Olina. “We have something for everyone in the ohana to enjoy, from a fun and unique art lesson and keiki reading room with popular Hawaii artists and storytellers to live music and a special appearance by some Disney friends.”
Tickets are available online and at the door. Presale tickets include event parking and shuttle transportation; tickets purchased at the door do not.
For festival room rates, call 407-939-4686 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.