Ko Olina Resort welcomes the return of the 9th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival with music, culture and fun for keiki from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at the resort’s Grand Lawn, Ulua Lagoon #4.
It’ll be a packed five hours from afternoon to evening with all proceeds going to the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. Since the first event in 2014, nearly $450,000 has been raised to benefit the only full-service children’s specialty medical center in the Pacific.
Musical performances include Kapena School of Music featuring the island’s young local talent; brothers Nyjah and Zyah from the North Shore performing as Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm with a blend of soulful R&B and island vibes; and Aulani’s ʻOhana Hula with Friends during which keiki and their families are invited to join their favorite Disney characters in hula and storytelling in a magical cultural experience.
Fun and educational activities for keiki of all ages will take them from learning to fish pono while helping to replenish herbivore fish populations for healthy coral reefs with Fish Pono–Save Our Reefs to upcycling cardboard into planters and potting native plants with Malama Learning Center & Nanakuli High School. Other fun includes:
• Learning the art of lei making and exploring cultural traditions of Hawaiian kapa using bark cloth and symbolic designs with Seagull School Ko Olina
• Trying on life jackets, creating shark tooth necklaces and learning about marine safety and conservation with the state’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation and Department of Aquatic Resources
• Learning about ocean awareness with Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards
• Learning about coral reef conservation and each person’s responsibility to protect marine ecosystems with Kuleana Coral Restoration
• Engaging with the Peace Corps to learn about working collaboratively around the world to build relationships, increasing environmental awareness and better managing natural resources
• Meet Ruby, Kapiolani Medical Center’s chief canine officer, and earn a free light wand for completing fun health and safety activities
• Plus enjoy a keiki ID station, face painting and glitter tattoos and snap an ocean-themed photo with Instapics Hawaii.
Food trucks and vendors will also be on-site serving up poke bowls, smash burgers, sushi and hand rolls, bubble tea drinks, ice cream, churros, sundaes and shakes, handcrafted kettle corn and more.
The activity-packed day will end with a family-friendly movie, “Moana 2,” on the lawn. Bring your chairs, towels or blankets for a special sunset screening of the sequel.
Visit the event website for tickets and information.
