Your Weekend: The Best Family Events-March 7, 2018

Our picks for the weekendʻs best family events.

March 7, 2018

Honolulu Family Team,

Photo: Karen DB Photography

Train rides will be discounted for the Family Fun Day at Dole Plantation.

Dole Plantation Family Fun Day

Saturday is the only day this year everyone can get buy-one-get-one-free admission to the World’s Largest Maze and Plantation Garden Tour at Dole Plantation. In addition, kids can play games with proceeds going to local schools. For 50 cents each, keiki can try the ring toss, basketball and fish pond or make slime and bookmarks, fees vary for crafts. Local schools including Waialua’s robotics team, Leilehua High and Ili‘ahi Elementary schools will also sell everything from waffle dogs to cheeseburgers and drinks. Augie T. will perform from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. And if the kids refuse to go home without a train ride, you can buy tickets for discounted prices. Before you go, see our seven tips for visiting this North Shore attraction.

All ages
General admission is free. Kama‘āina rate for the Plantation Garden Tour is $6.50, $7 for the maze. Both will be buy-one-get-one-free.
Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dole Plantation, 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawā
(808) 621-0166, doleplantation.com

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Honolulu Festival

Performers from Japan, Australia, Tahiti and more are in town for the Honolulu Festival. There will be live entertainment in Ala Moana and Waikīkī, but Saturday, you will probably want to head to the Hawai‘i Convention Center where you can shop in the craft fair, play keiki games and do crafts. Free movies about the Japanese internment camps on O‘ahu and a few manga films will show on the third floor with bon dances at 1 and 3 p.m. If your kids are more into parades and fireworks, Waikīkī will be the place to be Sunday night.

All ages
Free admission
Most family activities are Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The parade is Sunday, March 11 at 4:30 p.m. with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
Most performances and the kids games are at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave. The parade will be on Kalākaua Ave. in Waikīkī
honoulufestival.com

Community Huki at Maunalua Bay-Volunteer Opportunity

Pull invasive algae out of the water on O‘ahu’s East Side at this workday. Mālama Maunalua’s huki is a favorite volunteer opportunity for the HONOLULU Family Volunteer Day and gives kids a chance to help out while enjoying the hunt for marine life and some time on the beach. RSVP is required and all participants must sign a waiver.

Suggested for kids 5 years and older. Kids of all ages are welcome, but the work may be to difficult for the youngest ones.
Free
Saturday, March 10, 9 am. to noon.
Meet at Kuli‘ou‘ou Beach Park, 100 Bay St. People will need to walk about 10 minutes to the cleanup site.
(808) 395-5050, malamamaunalua.org

Mauka to Makai Fundraiser

Poi pounding, Hawaiian games, keiki crafts and food booths are part of this fundraiser for Mālama Honua Charter School. Kids 16 years and younger can try cultural activities including making kukui nut tops, Hawaiian checkers and more for free. Crafts and face painting are also available for $1 to $5. Then, pick up Hawaiian food, acai bowls, Nalo Lemonade and shave ice while listening to live music. Email for tickets ahead of time and pick them up at will call.

All ages
$20 suggested donation for adults. Kids 16 years and younger are free.
Saturday, March 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Waimānalo Polo Field, 41-1062 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Waimānalo
(808) 259-5522, email fundraising@malamahonuapcs.org for tickets. malamahonuapcs.org

Preregister: Fall In Love with Science Discovery Day

Celebrate science with a month of events at Bishop Museum. Special planetarium shows, daytime presentations, career talks and discussions will happen through March. But the highlight for families will be next weekend’s Fall in Love with Science Discovery Day. Kama‘āina and military will receive free admission to the hands-on science activities, scientist-led looks at the museum’s natural science collection and more. You do have to preregister for the free admission, otherwise you will pay $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for kids at the door. Keep in mind, the Exhibition: Dinosaurs exhibit will cost an additional $4.95. We tried it! Click here to see our 11 tips for the newest exhibit.