Children and Youth Month

Children and Youth Month
Celebrating Hawaii's Greatest Asset

Governor Ben Cayetano recently signed a bill into law that officially establishes Hawaii's Children and Youth Day as the first Sunday in October. Act 30 also designates October as Children and Youth Month in Hawaii.

Many events are being planned for the entire month of October.
Please mark your calendars and bring the family to these exciting events for all!

Sept.15 - Hawaii Leader for a Day Essay Contest Deadline

Monday, 4 p.m. deadline. Essay winners will spend a day as honorary governor, Lt. governor, a mayor, or a McDonald's owner for a day. Students in 5th through 12th grades are eligible to enter. This free state-wide program is sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii. For more information, contact Rep. K. Mark Takai at 586-8455 or Arlene Iwano at 833-4758. September 15 - Hawaii Leader for a Day Essay Contest Deadline

4 p.m. deadline. Essay winners will spend a day as honorary governor, lt. governor, a mayor or a McDonald's owner/operator for a day. Students in 5th through 12th grades are eligible to enter. This free statewide program is sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii. For information, call Rep. K. Mark Takai at 586-8455 or Arlene Iwano at 833-4758.

September 15 - Hands-Off Halloween Campaign

This is the third year of this month-long local campaign that is part of a national effort to keep Halloween safe for children and youth. Focus is on reducing children's exposure to Halloween-theme beer ads by getting retailers to refuse Halloween beer displays. For information, call Therese Argoud at 586-5940.

September 26- Mentoring with Vision

Learn innovative strategies from experienced professionals on the design and development of Youth Mentoring Programs. Sponsored by Hawaii Youth Services Network and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Fee $25. For information call Bob Bonar at HYSN, 531-2198. Oct. 1-2 - Net Conference 1997

Wednesday and Thursday. Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. This conference will celebrate the prevention efforts in Hawaii. For more information, contact Joyce Tanji at 973-9498 or Dixie Thompson at 973-9619. Oct. 1 - Youth Forum

Time TBA. Part of the Net Conference at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Presentations and discussion of issues important to youth, such as substance use prevention, healthy choices and lifestyles, protecting our environment, family life and communication, recreation, and funding for important school programs. Leadership being provided by the youth of Ke Ala Hoku and the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai'i. For information, contact Marcia Hartsock at 956-4136 or Jennifer Chong at 545-3228, ext. 27.

Oct. 5 - Children & Youth Day at Bishop Museum

Sunday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free admission for Hawaii residents and their children to Bishop Museum. Displays and demonstrations on child health and safety, along with children's activities and entertainment will highlight Children and Youth Day in Hawaii. This event is sponsored by Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, KITV 4, and Bank of Hawaii. For more information, contact Jeff Namihira at 733-4229. Oct. 5 - Safe Kids Buckle Up Program

9 a.m. – 12 noon. Child passenger safety specialists will check car seat use and installation. Educational materials and prizes will be distributed at this event, which is held in conjunction with Children and Youth Day at Bishop Museum. For information, call Jeri Shikuma at 586-5940.

Oct.11 - Bike Safety Rodeo

Saturday, This program, a partnership of State Farm Insurance and Shriners' Hospital, will promote bike safety for children, teens, and families. For more information, contact Carolyn Fujioka at 523-1178. Oct.12 - McGruff Fun Run

Sunday, 7 - 10 a.m. This short run or walk at Kapiolani Park will be fun for the entire family. For more information, contact Carolyn Matsuda at 586-1487.

Oct. 14 - Hawaii Leader for a Day Awards Ceremony

9:30 a.m. Gov. Cayetano will recognize the winners of the Hawaii Leader for a Day program in the Governor's Chambers. This event is by invitation only. For information, call Rep. K. Mark Takai at 586-8455 or Arlene Iwano at 833-4758.

Oct. 14 - Hawaii's Outstanding Advocates for Children and Youth

12-2 p.m. This luncheon at Washington Place will recognize the outstanding advocates recipients for this year. Also being recognized at the luncheon are the primary sponsors of Hawaii's Children and Youth Day and Month. This event is by invitation only. For information, call Jeanne Reinhart at 586-5794 or Rep. K. Mark Takai at 586-8455.

Oct. 17 - "Dialog" on Hawaii Public Television

8 – 9 p.m. A panel of experts will discuss youth issues of importance to the community on Dialog, Hawaii Public Television's live, public affairs show. Questions and comments are welcome during show at 973-1000. For information, call Charlotte Simmons at 973-1386.

Oct. 18-19 - Bankoh Fun Day at Bishop Museum/Bankoh Talk Story Festival

A celebration of Hawaii's families at the Bishop Museum. This event is free for Hawaii residents and military families with picture IDs. Activities and entertainment are planned, including a celebration of Hawaiian-style storytelling and oral history with children's stories. For more information, contact Grace Kawano at 537-8615 or Jeff Gere at 522-7029 Oct. 19-26 - YWCA Week Without Violence

Educational awareness campaign to help prevent violence in our communities and homes, especially against our children and youth. Activities throughout the week include workshops for victims/survivors of domestic violence, a candlelight vigil, and an eliminating racism and hate crime forum. For more information, contact Mary Arace at 538-7061 ext. 250. Oct. 24 - Erase the Hate Recognition Luncheon

Oceanic Cable and the USA Network salute local individuals and organizations working to promote tolerance and non-violence. Open to the public. For information, call Pauwilo Look at 625-8469.

Oct. 24-26 - Children's Sabbath

Throughout Hawaii, various communities of faith will focus their sermons and activities on children and youth issues. For more information, contact Rev. Donna Faith Eldredge at 538-0068. Oct. 25 - Teen Clean '97 - The Waikiki Trash Bash

9-11 a.m. Join teams of teens in cleaning up Waikiki. Enjoy refreshments, door prizes and a program at the Kapiolani Bandstand after the clean up. HMSA and the Department of Parks and Recreation sponsor this event. For information, call 527-5867 or 527-6035.

Oct. 30 - Men's March and Rally against Violence

12 noon. Men and boys will march through downtown Honolulu to demonstrate their commitment to end domestic violence and speak out against violence in our homes and our communities at a rally at Skygate Park at the end of the Men's March. For information, call Rep. Dennis Arakaki at 586-6050.

Oct.31 - Halloween Treat Street at Bishop Museum

Friday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. This program, sponsored by Meadow Gold, is a custom-designed neighborhood offering safe trick-or-treating for children 10 years and younger, and accompanied by an adult. This year's event will feature more than 30 haunted house fronts where free Halloween goodies will be distributed. For more information, contact Bishop Museum at 847-3511. Additional events are tentatively scheduled. Stay tuned for information on more events celebrating Children and Youth Month in Hawaii. Honorary Co-Chairs for Children and Youth Day and Month in Hawaii are Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Rep. Dennis Arakaki and Rep. Mark Takai.

(rev. 7/23/97--For corrections, contact Rep. Takai at 586-8455)