Potty-training tool vies for spot at Walmart
Honolulu mom and elementary school teacher Tammi Umeno created the Wee-N-See, a potty-training aid, which could end up on shelves at Walmart if it gets enough votes in a national contest.
Online voting is now open in the store’s "Get on the Shelf" contest to determine which three products will be carried by Walmart.com. The top vote-getter will earn a spot on Walmart shelves and receive production help from the discount superstore.
Umeno decided to use a more immediate incentive to parents’ potty-training dilemma. Instead of using stickers, charts or sugary sweets to reward toddlers, the Wee-N-See is a flushable square of colored paper that parents float in the toilet. When urine comes into contact with the paper, the paper changes color and a picture appears.
There are 10 designs, including a ladybug, train, truck, whale, turtle and dinosaur. She said the Wee-N-See is flushable and biodegradable.
Umeno came up with the product after a frustrating toilet-training experience with her first son (now 6). She developed the Wee-N-See to toilet-train her younger son (now 3) with inspiration from urine-activated pregnancy tests on the market.
Voting in the first round of competition started Wednesday and continues until April 3. Voting in round two runs from April 11 to 24.
To vote for her product, visit getontheshelf.com/product/2908/The-Wee-N-See.
The Wee-N-See is available online ($7 for a pack of 10) at www.wee-n-see.com or at Ohana Daze in Mililani. — Nina Wu
Have fun and support keiki learning
Enjoy a "Day on the Bay" full of keiki-friendly activities as part of a fundraiser for the learning center at He‘eia State Park on March 17.
The event, sponsored by Kama‘aina Kids, lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Besides a rock-climbing wall, there will be a high ropes course, kayak adventures, water activities, eco-tours of Kaneohe Bay, arts and crafts and children’s games and rides. There will also be musical entertainment and food booths.
The "Stand Up for He‘eia" stand-up paddle board race takes place at 11 a.m.
Parking is available for $5 at the park or free at He‘eia Elementary with free shuttle service to the event.
Visit www.kamaainakids.com or call BJ Whitman at 348-0057 for more information.
Celebrate by being active
The Still & Moving Center is marking its first anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than to get up and move?
Free 20-minute fitness class samplers will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. today, Sunday and March 17 and 18.
The sampler of children’s classes includes keiki hula, sitting baby hula, Creativity Unbound, Drums Alive and a Journey Obstacle Course as well as capoeira and aerial dance.
There will also be an open house on March 18, with Buddhist, Hindu and Hawaiian blessings at 5:30 p.m. Performances will follow from 6 to 8 p.m. by Kenny Endo Taiko, aerial artists, hula dancers and demonstrations of yoga, aikido, tai chi (Sun style), capoeira, Nia, contact improvisation dance and Drums Alive.
The Still & Moving Center, 1024 Queen St., offers more than 80 movement classes a week for both keiki and adults.
Call 397-7678 or visit www.stillandmovingcenter.com for a full schedule.
Catch ‘blue’ at several libraries
Honolulu Theatre for Youth is taking its production "blue" to 10 public libraries this spring. The play focuses on a character named Blue who lives happily in an all-blue world until he learns of other colors. The free, 45-minute show is aimed at kids ages 3 and older.
Scheduled library performances:
» Monday: 11 a.m., Kaimuki, 1041 Koko Head Ave., 733-8422
» Monday: 3 p.m., Kaneohe, 45-829 Kamehameha Highway, 233-5676
» March 28: 1 p.m., Kalihi-Palama, 1325 Kalihi St., 832-3466
» March 31: 10:30 a.m., McCully-Moiliili, 2211 S. King St. 973-1099
» April 13: 12:30 p.m., Mililani, 95-450 Makaimoimo St., 627-7470
» April 14: 10:30 a.m., Kailua, 239 Kuulei Road, 266-9911
» April 21: 10:30 a.m., Aina Haina, 5246 Kalanianaole Highway, 377-2456
» April 23: 10:30 a.m., Waianae, 85-625 Farrington Highway, 697-7868
» April 23: 3 p.m., Pearl City, 1138 Waimano Home Road, 453-6566
» May 5: 10:30 a.m., Liliha, 1515 Liliha St., 587-7577
Program rewards kids for reading
Young patrons of Kapolei Public Library can delve into a good book with the library’s reading program for spring break.
Prizes will be awarded weekly from March 12 to 24 to children up to grade 6 who read at least one book or one hour per week.
Children can pick up their prizes by presenting a reading log at the library’s prize desk. Bonus prizes will be given to kids who read five, 10 or 15 hours per week.
Call the library, at 1020 Manawai St., at 693-7050.
