Each year, Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September, and pays tribute to the American workers and all that they have achieved. For us parents, it represents the end of summer and the beginning of the back-to-school season! Now that we’re back home in Hawaii, we welcome long weekends as it’s a chance to hang out with our cousins and catch up with the family.
We found a couple of kid-friendly activities on Oahu this Labor Day for you and your keiki to enjoy!
6th Annual Hawaii Rice Festival
It wouldn’t be Hawaii without a rice festival! The 6th Annual Hawaii Rice Festival takes place on Saturday, September 5th from 10:00am-5:00pm. Expect delicious rice dishes, cooking & eating competitions, live entertainment and more!
They’re also taking brown rice donations for Lanakila Pacific’s “Meals on Wheels” program, which feeds needy seniors.
Where: 340 Kamakee (Office Depot) Lot at Ward Village
When: Saturday, September 5th; 10:00am – 5:00pm
Website: Hawaii Rice Festival
33rd Annual Okinawan Festival
Celebrate and learn about Okinawan culture at this year’s 33rd Annual Okinawan Festival. The kid-foodies are most excited to try the classic food items like andagi, andagi ala mode, champuru plate and more. There will be displays and activities for calligraphy and Okinawan language (Uchinaaguchi), kimono and paranku picture taking. Specialty foods from Okinawa such as konbu, goya tea, Okinawa soba, andagi mix, Shikwasa (Okinawan lemon-lime) juice, kokuto (black sugar candy) and more will be on sale. Burn off all the food with lively bon dancing on Sept. 5.
Where: Kapi’olani Park, 840 Paki Ave., Honolulu, HI
When: Saturday, September 5; 9:00am – 9:30pm and Sunday, September 6; 9:00am – 5:00pm
Website: Annual Okinawan Festival
Dinosaurs Unleashed at Bishop Museum
If you haven’t had a chance to catch the Dinosaurs Unleashed exhibit at the Bishop Museum, this is your last chance! The exhibit, which began in February, closes on September 7th. I’m not sure if we’ll get a chance to check it out before the week is up, but we’ve heard nothing but good things! Visitors will marvel at replicas of some of the fearsome giant reptiles of the Mesozoic. They will learn about the Maiasaura — “caring mother lizard” — with her baby and a nest of eggs. Of course, the ever-popular “tyrant lizard,” Tyrannosaurus rex, will thrill children of all ages. Admission fee to enter.
Where: Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu, Hawaii
When: Ends Monday, September 7; 9:00am – 5:00pm
Website: Bishop Museum
Royal Hawaiian Band at Iolani Palace
The Royal Hawaiian Band is the only band in the US with a royal legacy – it was founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III. The band’s main mission is to promote and foster music and to promote the Hawaiian musical culture. They’ll be playing this Friday, September 4 at Iolani Palace.
Where: Iolani Palace, 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI
When: Friday, September 4; 12:00pm-1:00pm
Website: http://www.iolanipalace.org
Anime Alice at Honolulu Theatre for Youth
The creative team for Anime Momotaro and A Bollywood Robin Hood create an original production inspired by traditional Japanese theatre, featuring live music and returning to their playful anime inspired staging techniques. Let your kids follow their imagination down the rabbit hole in this play, based on Lewis Caroll’s book.
Where: Honolulu Theatre for Youth, 1149 Bethel St. Suite 700, Honolulu, HI
When: Saturday, September 5; 4:30pm
Website: Purchase tickets
We’d love to hear what kid-friendly activities you have planned for your family this Labor Day weekend. Comment and let us know!