Community Resources

Our Big Island communities are  filled with family-friendly programs, workshops, classes, and extra curricular activities, to keep you and your keiki busy and happy!  This is a list of resources that promote wholesome recreation, family unity, and healthy development for children and adults alike. This menu will change and grow, so be sure to check back and see what's new. Also, please email me in  the contact section, if you have something you'd like to add to the list. Mahalo!

Education/Arts/Extended learning programs:
For pre-schoolers-
Keiki Steps-There are 3 locations in Hilo. A free program focused on parent-child interactive learning experiences for ages birth to 5 years old. Adult participation is required, as children and parents learn and play together, through games, music, crafts, Native Hawaiian culture, and outdoor play. Although their website says that enrollment preference is given to Native Hawaiian families, anyone can join, and there are a diverse number of families attending. Call #(808)933-2933 to enroll today!
Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool-Four locations in Kea'au, Pahoa, Hilo, and Laupahoehoe.Another free program for caregivers and their children, focusing on learning, activities, and Native Hawaiian culture and values. 

For kids and families:
Hilo Tribune Community Events Calendar- recent listings of local events in or around East Hawaii. 
Puna Happenings-The latest events, classes and workshops, all in one place!
Girl Scouts of Hawaii-
Hawai`i Girl Scout Service Center
16-105 Opukaha`ia Street
Kea`au, HI 96749
T 808.966.9376
F 808.966.8452
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 P.M.
Boy Scouts Aloha Council-  Non-profit. Contact the BSOA Hawaii for a pack near you.
4-H Hawaii- A non-profit organization providing real hands-on projects for developing leadership skills, building friendships, respecting the environment, learning new skills and many other benefits. There's also an East Hawaii 4-H facebook page for those interested.

Arts and Crafts-
East Hawaii Cultural Center-A center located in Hilo dedicated to cultural and traditional arts of Hawaii. Classes and workshops are offered for all ages. 
**Saturdays at EHCC there is an "Ohana Art Class" for ages 4-11 years old. Class includes mask making, mime, puppetry, makeup and more. 10am-12pm with a $10 per class fee. Contact Lee for details: leemichael@walczuk.com  

High Fire Hawaii- Located in Hilo, High Fire  is a group of dynamic artists offering pottery, painting, and drawing classes and workshops.
Volcano School of a Arts and Science- After-school enrichment classes for kids such as ukulele, drumming, gymnastics, ceramics, batik, track and field, soccer, Latin dance, weaving, and more. Homeschool kids are welcome! Located up in Volcano.
Volcano Art Center-Located up in Volcano: Hula performances, concerts, free nature tours, yoga, cultural demonstrations, and more. Check calendar for upcoming events.

Ben Franklin Craft Club- Craft store located in Hilo, offering craft classes for keikis most Saturdays. Click on the current monthly calendar to see what's happening!

Home Depot Kids Workshops- FREE kids workshops are held the first Saturday of every month at Home Depots everywhere.  Located in Hilo. 
Hopper Sheldon's "Artday Saturday"-A mobile art enrichment program every 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 1-3pm at the Hilo Farmers Market. Free admission.

Museums
Imiloa Astronomy Center-Located in Hilo, Imiloa features exhibits, a planetarium, and native gardens. Special events and classes are posted for the public. 

Mokupapapa Discovery Center-Located on  Hilo Bay-front, this educational  museum offers  information about Hawaii's remote coral reefs. Marine life movies feature throughout the day, as well as exhibits about Hawaii's endangered animals. A live aquarium filled with colorful fish is loved by all! *FREE entrance, this is a favorite!

Pacific Tsunami Museum- Located in Hilo. Learn how to prepare for emergencies, learn about the history  of tsunamis and earthquakes on the island. Educational tours offered for school groups.
Lyman Museum and Mission House. Historical Site in Hilo, offering guided tours . Home to a "superb collection of artifacts, fine art, and natural history exhibits as well as  archives, special exhibitions and a gift shop."

Entertainment
Prince Kuhio Mall- Large shopping center in Hilo, home to Keiki Funland where kids can jump, slide and bounce on large Inflatables! 
Keiki Club is the first Friday of every month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the mall courtyard.
Check Events for details.
Hollywood Theatres- also located in the Prince Kuhio Mall. Listings for the latest movies.
Historic Palace Theater-Located in downtown Hilo, host to live music concerts, plays, films, and more.
Dollar Theater- The Kress Cinemas in downtown Hilo! It's actually about $1.50 per ticket, but it's a great deal! Matinee showings are wonderful for a date with the kids. 
Kilauea Military Camp Theater-"KMC" Theater located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, host to dance, music, and theater performances.

Active Keiki! Sports, recreation, fitness, and more!

SPACE- Seaview Performing Arts Center-Offers performing arts classes to adults and children. Home of Hiccups Circus, an ongoing, highly innovative education program. Located in lower Puna.
Department of Recreation:  The county of Hawaii provides  a range of opportunities from sports teams, enrichment classes, arts and crafts, and dance classes for kids through seniors. Activities are held at community centers all over east Hawaii. Pick up an updated program at 101 Pauahi street in Hilo, as they don't always keep their website current. *small fees apply.
 Click on Aquatics for their public swimming pool contact numbers. All nine county pools are free to swimmers.
YMCA-Located in Hilo. YMCA offers after-school programs for kids and teens, if you're looking for extra opportunities for your kids to connect with others. Programs include yoga, cooking, free-play, and excursions. 
AYSO Hawaii- American Youth Soccer Organization. Find a team in your area.
Pahoa Skate Park-Free to the public, open daily, located next to Pahoa Community Pool

Dance
Big Island NIA- Classes are held in Hilo, and at the Dancing Gardens dance studio in Hawaiian Paradise Park. NIA stands for Neuromuscular Integrated Action and is a sensory-based movement practice that combines martial arts, yoga, and free form dance. 
Center Stage- Located in Hilo. Dance Classes of all kinds, for all ages! Hip hop, ballet, Latin ballroom, contemporary dance, tap dance, breakdancing, belly dancing and more. 
YWCA-Hip-hop, ballet, jazz, NIA...check calendar for details.  
Kupukupu Center for the Healing Arts, Pahoa. Ballet classes for 4 and up. Tuesdays at 4pm, Check "classes and events" for details.

Halau Hula-
Halau Hula 'O Napunaheleonapua- Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4pm-8pm at Prince Kuhio Plaza.  More info call #937-9624.

Gymnastics
Pacific Gymnastics-Located in Hilo. Gymnastics for all ages and abilities. 
Pantheon Gymnastics-Also located in Hilo. Classes for all ages and abilities. 
**We've heard good reviews of both Gymnastics programs. Drop in and watch a class before signing up, to find the right fit for your child. 
Volcano School of Arts and Science- Gymnastics classes for after-school enrichment  are sometimes offered here. Call for updated classes: #808-985-9800

Yoga
Balancing Monkey Yoga- In Hilo. Family yoga class on Sundays at 3:30pm. Appropriate for children ages 2-11, but any age is welcome. $12 per family. Fridays at 9:30am is a Family-friendly Flow class, where moms and dads can bring their kids to class. 
Yoga Centered-Located in Hilo. Weather you're 17 or 70, they offer a range of classes.
Warrior Won School of Yoga- Located in Hilo, Warrior Won offers FREE child Care during the Yoga Hour classes, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:15pm. Parents, go recharge while your kids play! 
Ahimsa Yoga-Located in Hawaiian Paradise Park, Jean. E. teaches yoga from her home studio.
Volcano Art center- Morning and evening Yoga offered for both beginning and intermediate students. Check calendar for details. 
Kupukupu Center for Arts and Healing, Pahoa. Community yoga, therapeutic yoga, for all ages and abilities. See class schedule for times and details.

Swimming

County of Hawaii Public Pools-All open swim and lap swimming is free at the nine county pools on the Big island. Call your local pool for swim times.

Swimming Lessons

County Swim Lessons- These low price lessons are in high demand so be sure to sign up early. The summer registration starts in the spring. There are 9 county pools on the island.
University of Hawaii, Hilo-Swim lessons for 4 years of age and up. Awesome classes, great teachers, and overall good reviews for these swim lessons. 
YWCA-Located in Hilo, this is a warm, solar-heated pool that offers swim lessons starting from 8 months old to teens and adults. Water aerobics and lap swim, too. 

Martial Arts
Martial Arts Academies and Dojos-An all inclusive list of martial arts across the island.
Aikido of Hilo-a non-profit organization dedicated to training and teaching the art of aikido in the Hilo area and spreading the Way of Harmony worldwide.
Big Island Martial Arts Academy-In Hilo, provides lessons for kids and teens.
Hawaii Kendo Federation- 3 locations in Hilo providing kendo instruction.
Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin-Judo and Kendo instruction.
Mo Min Kuen Monkey Kung Fu- Kung-fu classes for kids, "developing mind, body, and spirit, through the ancient art of Monkey Kung-Fu."

Nature & Science
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Botanical Gardens- Located in South Hilo, and free to the public. The only natural tropical rain-forest zoo in the U.S.
Hilo Arboretum-Take yourself on a self-guided tour through a forest of non-native plants and trees. You can self-pick the ripe fruit in season or have a picnic on the vast lawn space! The Arboretum is open Monday thru Friday 7:45am-4:30pm. Free entrance. (check my blog for a few pictures)
Mauna Kea Visitor Center-Located atop the dormant Mauna Kea volcano, the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station has free stargazing programs, telescopes available for viewing, interpretive guides and rangers to answer questions, and a variety of other astronomy-related events.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park- Hiking trails, visitor information centers, Jr. Ranger programs, free guided hikes, volcano and earthquake education and more. Check for the latest eruption updates.