Summer Activities with Your Keiki
It’s the perennial topic—what to do with the keiki for the summer.
On Hawai‘i Island there are ample programs, activities, and excursions—it’s just a matter of online searches and phone calls to get the scoop. Ke Ola Magazine has saved you the trouble, compiling an A–Z guide to resources and ideas—from day camps and sports programs to experiences like camping and museum hopping—to aid you in the best summer plan to fit your family’s needs, budget and lifestyle.
This list isn’t meant to be comprehensive. Apologies to those planning summer excursions for which we werenʻt able to include information. Send your posters and flyers with descriptions to our Event Email for inclusion on our social media sites.
Aloha Performing Arts Company
Contact Melissa Geiger: 808.322.9924
Big Island Sailing Foundation
BISF will host a series of five-day summer sailing camps.
Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm | Novice sailors, age 8–12
Dinghy sailing and beach camps in Keauhou Bay | Jun 20–24, Jun 27–Jul 1
Intermediate sailors and beginners, 12 and older
Keelboat and dinghy sailing out of Honokōhau Harbor | Jul 11–15, Jul 18–22
Performance dinghy sailing and racing at Honokōhau Harbor | Jul 25–29
For fees and registration: 808.325.5529
“Bird Park”
Part of the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Kīpukapuaulu Trail, or “Bird Park” as it is widely referred, is 1.5 miles up Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11. Read the 28-page trail guide.
Camping
Isaac Hale Beach Park, Kapa‘a Beach Park, Kohanaiki Beach Park, Kolekole Gulch Park,
Laupāhoehoe Beach Park, Māhukona Beach Park, Miloli‘i Beach Park, Punalu‘u Beach Park,
Spencer Beach Park, and Whittington Beach Park
Hawai‘i residents pay per night with valid ID—Adults (18+): $6 | Juniors (13–17): $3
Children (12 years and younger): $1 | Check website for out of state visitor rates.
For reservations
Ho‘okena Beach Park
Hawai‘i residents pay per night with valid ID—Adults (18+): $6 | Juniors (13–17): $2
Children (12 years and younger): $1 | Check website for out of state visitor rates.
Make reservations 72 hours in advance.
Center Stage Hilo
Classes for ballet, modern dance, or hip-hop.
For rates and times: 808.990.7163
County of Hawai‘i Summer Fun
For more information on activities offered for various communities around the island:
Donkey Mill Summer Art Experience
For information on visiting artists and workshops: 808.322.3362
Earl’s Garage
Multiple-week workshops on science exploration in Waimea: 808.885.6777
East Hawaii Cultural Center (Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art)
Wed–Fri, 10am–4pm | Sat, 10am–2pm | Free Admission | 808.961.5711
Foreign language courses
Rosetta Stone foreign language course
West Hawaii Education Academy | Contact Chrissy Politowski
French in East Hawai‘i | Contact Sylvie Garnero
Fun Factory
More than 75 arcade games and a prize gallery | Waiakea Center
Games range from $1–$3 each | Summer hours, 10am–midnight
808.969.9137 for more information and party bookings.
Gymnastics
East Hawai‘i | Pantheon School of Gymnastics, four one-week camps in June for ages 3–13
Mon–Fri, 8am–noon | 808.961.2502
East Hawai‘i | Pacific Gymnastics | 808.934.0642
West Hawai‘i | Kona Aerials | 808.329.4313
Happy Feet Summer Soccer Camp
Brandon
Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy
Basketball—808.881.4290
Equestrian camp—Judy Falk, 808.885.4302
Swim
Tennis—808.881.4037
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
The park is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Visit Jagger Museum, Thurston Lava Tube, take in the impressive view of the Halema‘uma‘u Crater, or take a day hike on one of the park’s 11 trails, including Bird Park, referred to earlier in this article, Kīlauea Iki, and the Crater Rim Trail.
The 36th Annual Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival & BioBlitz. Engage in authentic Hawaiian cultural practices and learn how native Hawaiians lived closely to the land as its stewards. | Sat, Aug. 27, 10am–3pm This free event is themed E Ho‘omau (to perpetuate; to continue in a way that causes good to be long-lasting)
H.I.C.C.U.P. Circus Summer Camp at S.P.A.C.E.
“Elemental Theatre” for ages 7-15.
Camp ends with a show featuring beginning and advanced and students performing acrobatics, magic, stilt walking, aerial silks, juggling, music, balloon twisting, and more!
May 30–June 3, 10am–4pm | Contact Tristan Graham: 808.965.8756
High Fire Hawaii, Hilo
Kids classes are taught during the summer | Contact Shannon Hickey: 808.935.8380
Hilo Municipal Golf Course
A monthly card for $25 buys $1 pass on the weekdays and $3 pass on the weekends. Otherwise, a round of golf at the muni costs $15 on the weekdays and $20 on the weekends. Tee times run from 7am–5pm, however the facility, which includes a driving range, is open until 6pm | A bucket of balls at the range costs $3.50 | 808.959.7711
Hilton Waikoloa Village
For $160 for up to four people, based on availability, you can reserve use of a room from 10am–6pm. Enjoy the 175-foot water slide or the “Fish Pipe,” a simulated water ride, at the Kona pool, or rent a kayak, stand-up paddle board, or peddle bikes on the Main Lagoon.
While at the hotel, check out the “Seaside Putting Green,” a 30,000 square foot putting course, which costs $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 can putt for free when accompanied by a paying adult | Hawaii Ocean Sports: 808.886.6666 for costs not listed or to prearrange these activities | Call the Hilton at 808.886.1234 to reserve a day-use room or an overnight stay.
Hulihe‘e Palace
On the National Register of Historic Places, this museum was once a summer vacation home for Hawaiian royalty. The Daughters of Hawai‘i manages the palace for the Division of State Parks. Mon–Sat, 9am–4pm | Sun, 10am–3pm
The entrance fee is $6–$8 for kama‘āina adults and $1 for children | 808.329.1877
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center
Hilo planetarium and exhibits
Children under 5 receive free admission | Kama‘āina—Children 5–12: $7 | Adults: $12
Group reservations are available
Island Dance Academy
808.961.3622
Jack’s Diving Locker
Learn about marine animals such as dolphins, whales, sharks, and sea turtles with hands-on activities, arts and crafts. The camps involve beach excursions and fun-in-the-pool snorkeling and diving.
Ages 6–8: Keiki Sea Camp (5 days)
Ages 8–14: Sea Camp Hawaii series (5 days)
Seal Team Scuba Camp (5 days) | Master Seal Team Scuba Camp (5 days)
Ages 12 -18: Open Water Scuba Camp (4 days)
Advanced Scuba Camp (4 days) | Rescue Diver Camp (4 days)
808.329.7585
Junior Music Academy
For class schedules and rates: 808.331.2000
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Become well versed on how Hawaiians traditionally built fishponds and hone in on ancient fishing skills with a tour of brackish pools throughout the North Kona park.
This no-fee park is open year round. The gate for Kaloko road leading to the Hale Ho‘okipa Visitor Center is open Daily, 8am–5pm. There is also an entrance to the south end of the park and beach area from Honokōhau Harbor.
Contact the visitor center: 808.326.9057
Kama‘aina Kids
Summer day camp programs at Hilo and Kailua-Kona schools. 808.262.4538
KBXtreme
Eat, sing karaoke, play arcade games, or bowl at this family friendly entertainment center in Kailua-Kona | Daily, 9am–2am | 808.326.2695 for rates and reservations
Kilauea Military Camp
Bowling Lanes and Recreation Lodge is housed in the camp at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park | Lanes are first-come, first-serve—$3 per person per game.
Mon–Fri, 1–10pm | Sat, Sun, and major holidays, 11am–10pm | 808.967.8350
Kona Horseplay
Day camps planned for the summer on property above Kona Coffee Mill.
Camp rates depend on the age of the child and camp lengths.
There are discounts for siblings and referrals.
808.345.4696 | Email | Facebook
Kuleana Education Summer Program
Open to any students—kindergarteners to eighth graders.
June is “Music Mania”—introducing kids to jazz, pop, rock and roll, and more.
There will also be science and art and space camps, according to organizer Dana Kern.
July is “Around The World Camp”—involves making food, art projects, and playing games from different countries.
9am–3pm, $35 per week, with aftercare available from 3pm–4pm
Contact Dana: 808.989.0986
Laupahoehoe Train Museum
Wed–Sun, 10am–5pm | 808.962.6300 to visit Mon–Wed
Lyman Museum
Mon–Sat, 10am–4:30pm
Kama‘āina rates—Adults: $8 | Seniors: $6 | Children under 17: $3
Movies
For local show times:
Hollywood Theater, Prince Kuhio Plaza: 808.959.4595
Honoka‘a People’s Theatre: 808.775.0000 | Palace Theater: 808.934.7010
Regal Cinemas Keauhou 7 and Regal Cinemas Makalapua 10: 844.462.7342
N2Dance
Classes in b-boy, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and voice taught by Angela and Maika at the YWCA in Hilo. Contact Angela Woods
Ocean Rider Aqua Farm Tours
Ocean Rider’s Kona Seahorse Farm
Mon–Fri, 10am, noon, or 2pm
Tickets—13 and up: $42 | Children ages 7–12: $32 | Toddlers’ ages 3–6: $30
Infants: free | Reservations: 808.329.6840,
Pacific Tsunami Museum
Tue–Sat, 10am–4pm
Kama‘āina adults and seniors: $7 | Children ages 6–17: $4 | Children 5 and under: free
Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge)
Educate yourself on the Hawaiians’ ancient kapu system and the pu‘uhonua of this archaeological site by listening in on ranger talks that are scheduled throughout the day.
Daily, 8:30am–4:30pm | Park fee is $5 per carload | 808.328.2326
Pony Fun Days
An equestrian program for children ages 6–16.
Pony Fun Days are meant to be a fun introduction to ponies, more like a petting zoo.
Learn about the different kinds of ponies—groom and brush them, and pick their feet.
Separate lessons involve saddling, bridling, tying, leading, mounting, steering, and riding.
Contact Nani: 808.987.1492
Pu‘ukohola Heiau National Historical Site
Visit one of the largest restored heiau in Hawai‘i, located in Kawaihae | 808.882.7218
Society for Kona’s Education and Art
808.328.9392
UH Hilo Student Life Center Summer Swim
808.932.7607
West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy
Classical Ballet Pre-Pointe, Pointe, Conditioning, and Choreography camps will be offered to children ages 10 and up. These camps are for dancers with ballet experience who are interested in dancing on Pointe, or those who are already on Pointe and wish to continue to strengthen and improve their technique.
Classes will include core strengthening, GYROKINESIS® exercise ballet variations, classical and contemporary choreography.
Mon–Thur, 8:30am–12:30pm
Camp #1: June 6-9 | Camp #2: June 20-23
Camp #3: July 11-14 | Camp #4: July 18-21
The fee is $195 per student per camp.
Contact West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy: 808.329.8876
Contact writer Tiffany Edwards Hunt
Photos courtesy of H.I.C.C.U.P. Circus and West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy.
