Botanical garden hosts fun contest for amateur anglers

The annual Keiki Fishing Derby is scheduled for Saturday at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe.

The free catch-and-release event, set for 10 to 11:30 a.m., is open to children ages 4 to 17. While the competition is only for keiki, the whole family is welcome to fish in the garden’s freshwater lake.

Competitors can bring their own fishing poles (with barbless hooks) as well as nonlive bait such as white sandwich bread. A limited number of bamboo poles will be available to borrow from the garden on a first-come, first-served basis. Casting is not allowed.

Prizes will be awarded in three age groups for longest fish, most Midas cichlids (a bright orange fish) and most unusual catch, like a turtle or catfish. The most common species in the lake are tilapia and Midas cichlids.

While the competition starts at 10 a.m., keep in mind that there’s a 20-minute hike from the parking area to the lake. However, children will be allowed to start at any point during the contest and can fish for all or only part of the allotted time.

Organizers suggest bringing walking shoes, insect repellent, rain gear, pliers, lunch and drinking water.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is at 45-680 Luluku Road. For more information, call 233-7323.

Stefanie Nakasone, Star-Advertiser

A world of entertainment awaits young minds at UH film festival

Lotte the puppy meets Susumu the bee, and soon everyone goes wild for judo, even as the village of Gadgetville is in the midst of an obsession regarding, well, gadgets. Does this make sense? Maybe if you’re 4.

And that’s the point of the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, designed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Outreach College to present an international selection of films suited to children, with content that amuses and challenges young minds.

Throw in Peppa the pig, Poppy the cat and the precocious cousins Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland (if you don’t know who they are, ask an 8-year-old). Why pay movie-theater prices for summer blockbusters when you can have all this for free?

The schedule:

» "Sophia Grace and Rosie’s Royal Adventure": These singing and dancing cousins became a YouTube sensation, then favorites of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." They’re now stars of their own full-length film about a plot to crown the queen of Switzelvania. Sunday, for ages 5 and up, 70 minutes

» "Lotte from Gadgetville": Lotte the puppy and her best friend, Bruno the cat, are caught up in a village competition to find the best new inventions. From Estonia, dubbed in English. June 22, for ages 4 and up, 81 minutes

» "Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party" and "Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure and Other Adventures": Peppa is a piggy who likes games and playing dress-up, but not as much as she loves mud puddles. Poppy Cat (based on Lara Jones’ award-winning books) goes on adventures in fantasy lands with her friends. June 29, for ages 2 to 6, 53 minutes total (four episodes of "Peppa," three of "Poppy")

» "Wolf Summer": Twelve-year-old Kim is injured in a fall, then finds herself in a shack with a wolf and her cub. Themes of friendship, family, loyalty and courage are explored as Kim must choose sides in a conflict between wolves and hunters. In Norwegian with English subtitles. July 13, for ages 10 and up, 88 minutes

Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser

Fill up journal, earn free book in summer reading program

Parents looking to encourage their keiki to read this summer can pick up a reading journal at Barnes & Noble.

In this year’s program, dubbed "Imagination’s Destination," kids who read eight books and fill out the reading journal can redeem it for a free book through Sept. 2 from the Ala Moana Center bookseller.

There are 20 choices available. Free titles include "Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot," by Dav Pilkey, "Sideways Stories from Wayside School," by Louis Sachar, and "How to Be a Pirate," from Cressida Cowell’s "How to Train Your Dragon" series.

Pick up a reading journal at Barnes & Noble or download it at www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570.

Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser

Donation drive helps students with supplies

The Children’s Alliance of Hawaii has kicked off its annual Back to School Drive for children entering kindergarten through 12th grade this fall.

The Honolulu-based nonprofit is seeking the public’s help in collecting donations of high-quality backpacks or $25 gift cards for school supplies for at least 100 children who have been sexually abused. Deadline to drop off donations is June 15.

The annual drive is part of the alliance’s Enhancements Program, which provides financial assistance for expenses related to school, sports, hobbies and health.

"We want to provide a positive start to the new school year for children in our program and their siblings and need the support of the local community to achieve our goal,"said C. Kent Coarsey, Children’s Alliance president and executive director.

Donations can be dropped off at the alliance’s office at 200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 410. To schedule a drop-off, call 599-2955 or email enhancements@childrensalliancehawaii.org.

Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser