Kekaha Family Fun Day, Play Streets event scheduled for July 4

Published on June 27, 2023

KEKAHA – E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha and the Kekaha Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) are inviting the public to the Kekaha Family Fun Day to celebrate Independence Day at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Tuesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The event will have food and craft vendors, free games, and entertainment for all.

A Play Streets event will also take place on Elepaio Road and portions of the Kekaha Neighborhood Center and Kekaha Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All activities at Play Streets are free and open to the public.

“This is our second year offering a Play Streets event in Kekaha for the Fourth of July weekend, and we are incredibly grateful to all organizations, partners, and volunteers for making it happen,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Getting our keiki outdoors to safely play and have fun doing physical activities sets a good foundation for healthy habits and building strong social connections with others. We hope all will join us in this family fun day on the West Side.”

Elepaio Road, between Alae Road and Amakihi Road, will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate the Play Streets Kaua‘i event. With the closure of Elepaio Road, the Kaua‘i Bus stop fronting the Kekaha Neighborhood Center will not be in service on Route 100 and Route 200 during the road closure. All other bus stops in Kekaha will be available on July 4.

Play Streets Kaua‘i is possible thanks to a partnership between E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha, the County of Kaua‘i, the Department of Health, Get Fit Kaua‘i, Na Lei Wili AHEC, and other community-based organizations and businesses.

Play Streets refers to the temporary closure of streets for a short time to create a safe, publicly accessible space for children and their families to engage in active play. This event aims to host fun outdoor activities for Keiki and their ‘ohana to promote physical activity while opening opportunities to build social connections among our communities.

Play Streets activities will include the following:

• A small skate park by the Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana. Skateboards and gear will be available for all kids who want to learn how to skate;

• A fun ninja obstacle course by Alex Acopiado from Toy Fit;

• Pickleball play by Lucia Bartels from Pickleball Association Kaua‘i;

• Fishing clinic with throw-net;

• Keiki Basketball; and

• Free play with bubbles, chalk, hula hoops, jumping rope, and other activities.

“Physical activity is important for our keiki: it builds strong bones and muscles, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, improves school performance, and is great for mental and emotional well-being. Play Streets serves an important role in providing safe spaces for physical activity, particularly in rural communities like Kaua‘i,” said Lauren Guest, Kaua‘i Deputy District Health Officer. “We hope that many families participate in the Kekaha Play Streets event and future events that provide dedicated, secure space for physical activity in our community.”

For more information about the Kekaha Family Fun Day, or to register for a $10 lunch or dinner coupon (limited to Kekaha residents only), please visit the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kekaha-family-fun-day-tickets-664459665747?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile.

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact the Planning Department at 808-241-4050 or planningdepartment@kauai.gov as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.

Caption for above photos: In 2022, a Play Streets Kaua‘i pilot event took place on Elepaio Road, in Kekaha, during the Fourth of July weekend. This year, Play Streets will be available again for the community on Tuesday, July 4, during the Kekaha Family Fun Day. 

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