Capitol enlivened by children's event | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Thousands took part in Children and Youth Day activities Sunday, enjoying rides, games, educational displays, musical presentations and food booths. Children scaled the rock-climbing wall, above, set up on Punchbowl Street.

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Youthful rock climbers attempt to scale the rock climbing wall set up on Punchbowl Street, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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Imai Goodhue, 5, gets a little help from mom, Courtney Ahlokeohuloa as he navigates the exit obstacle of the Wild One inflatable slide, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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"What do you think will happen when you add this cup of vinegar?" was the question Cub Scout Kekoa Dierks, 8, of Pack 385 (Kamehameha Schools), asked Maelia Thomas, 6, of Manoa, who got the answer when the concoction of baking soda, water, food coloring, vegetable oil and salt "erupted" like a volcano upon the addition of the vinegar, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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"What do you think will happen when you add this cup of vinegar?" was the question Cub Scout Kekoa Dierks, 8, of Pack 385 (Kamehameha Schools), left, asked Maelia Thomas, 6, of Manoa, right, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. She got the answer when the concoction of baking soda, water, food coloring, vegetable oil and salt erupted like a volcano upon the addition of the vinegar. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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Chloe McTague, 6, and her brother, Tyler, 15, from Ewa, take part in the Keiki Fitness Obstacle Course on the grounds of Iolani Palace, where each station was a lesson in the daily activities of ancient Hawaiian children, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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Kai'ea McKillop, 5, from Kaimuki, tries his hand at tennis for the very first time during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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After getting a lesson in compressions-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (aka hands-only cpr) with mom, Tessie Kotrys, and sister, Jocylyn Kotrys, Christian James Edsell, 3, tries his hand at CPR on a dog manikin, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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Tessie Kotrys of Makakilo, second from right, her daughter, Jocylyn Kotrys, 9, right, and son, Christian James Edsell, 3, get a lesson in compressions-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (aka hands-only cpr) from volunteer Jim Mahon, left, using a cpr manikin, during the 20th annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol and The Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, including Iolani Palace, Punchbowl St., King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Kalanimoku Building. Hundreds of people took part in various activities, rides and games, visited educational displays and enjoyed musical presentations and food booths.

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BOUNCE houses dotted the state Capitol lawn, dancers gyrated in the Capitol courtyard and makeshift tennis courts occupied Punchbowl Street.

Since 1993 families have flocked to the Capitol and environs on the first Sunday of October to celebrate Children and Youth Day, and Sunday’s festivities were no different.

The Meyer family enjoyed an obstacle course and the Honolulu Fire Department’s Keiki House, where young ones learned how to "stop, drop and roll."

"We just came from the marathon obstacle course," 9-year-old, rosy-cheeked Hollie Meyer said. "You have to like carry around those buckets and run around because they have water in it, and you’re supposed to run around until two minutes is over."

Prizes for completing the course included a water bottle, passes to the Honolulu Zoo and Wet ‘n’ Wild, a medal and more, she said excitedly.

Hollie’s brother, 7-year-old Hunter, is a member of Kamehameha Schools Cub Scout Pack 385, so the family spent the morning helping at the group’s information booth, which featured a "lava in a cup" science project.

"It’s really great to get the kids involved and the families out to spend time together," said the children’s mother, Grace Meyer. "It’s really big. There’s a lot to do. Maybe it should actually be two days so you can get to do everything."

This year’s event also featured six main stages for entertainment; early learning activities for infants and toddlers; and sustainability and recycling activities. In total there were more than 150 interactive, educational and fun activities sponsored by community organizations.

Though figures weren’t yet available for this year’s event, about 50,000 people attended last year, making Children and Youth Day one of the largest community celebrations in the state.

The Legislature established Children and Youth Day in 1993, and four years later the event began serving as a kickoff for Children & Youth Month.

Highlights for the rest of the month include:

» An Oh Baby! family expo at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

» A Healthy Halloween fair at Ala Moana Regional Park on Oct. 26.

» Kids’ Fest at the Bishop Museum on Oct. 27.

See HawaiiCYD.org. for more information.

Capitol enlivened by children’s event