Your Weekend: The Best Family Fun in Hawai‘i for September 16–22, 2021

Fly a plane (sort of) and walk through history, adopt a pet for free, buy an inspirational new kids book and register to work in a wetland.
Christi Young,

 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Photo: David Croxford

 

Smithsonian Museum Day

It’s a national day to celebrate our museums. In Hawaiʻi, that means you can get free admission into one of our family-friendly places to learn, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Enter your email address on the Smithsonian Magazine website to download a voucher for two people to get in free to wander through the historic planes, see what it’s like to fly in the flight simulator, view a piece of wreckage from the USS Arizona and shop for all things aviation. See our five tips for visiting this historic spot. And remember, under the Safe Access O‘ahu program, people 12 years and older must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter any indoor area. If you can’t make it Saturday, don’t worry. The museum will accept the voucher through Nov. 18, or you can use it to receive 25% off an annual membership.

 

 

SEE ALSO: 🛩️ Weekend Adventures: Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

 

Hawaiian Humane Society Cat Jiro 1200

Photo: Courtesy of the Hawaiian Humane Society

 

Clear the Shelters

The national movement to find animals homes means you can find a new furry friend for discounted prices. On Saturday only, the Hawaiian Humane Society is waiving adoption fees for all animals. On Sunday, pay what you can to adopt a cat, rabbit, guinea pig, bird, mouse or other small animals. You can also spend some time with eligible felines at Aloha Kitty Café, Pounce Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Cat Café. The O‘ahu SPCA is also reducing adoption fees by 50% for animals at a popup event at PetSmart.

  • All ages
  • Adoption fees typically range from $25 to $500 depending on the animal and nonprofit

Hawaiian Humane Society event:

O‘ahu SPCA’s event:

  • Saturday, Sept. 18. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • PetSmart, Town Center of Mililani, 95-660 Lanikuhana Ave., Mililani
  • oahuspca.org, @the_oahu_spca

 

SEE ALSO: 🐾 Where to Adopt a Pet in Honolulu

 

 

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman

I’ve never been into poetry (It rhymes? It doesn’t?), but the work of the youngest presidential inaugural poet ever inspired me to take another look. Now, she is releasing her first picture book for kids with an empowering message; that every child and person in the world can make a difference. Illustrations are by Loren Long who created the look of Otis series Barack Obama’s book Of Thee I Sing. You can pre-order it now almost everywhere because I’m betting it’ll be difficult to find when it lands on bookstore shelves next Tuesday.

 

$18.99, Penguin Random House

 

Alae Ula Kawainui Wetland Photo Hui O Koolaupoko 1200

An ‘alae ‘ula. Photo: Courtesy of Hui o Ko‘olaupoko

 

He‘eia Estuary and Kawainui Wetlands Volunteer Day

There are just a few more spaces for the monthly workday on the Windward side. Saturday, volunteers will weed out invasive plants and restore the shoreline of He‘eia Stream. You may spot some birds nearby or perhaps some freshwater creatures. You can also register now for the next Saturday workday at Kawainui Wetland where you may see ae‘o or ke‘oke‘o as you pull weeds and plant native seedlings. You will likely get muddy and wet at either spot, but for many kids we know, that’s a plus!

 

  • All ages. All kids 15 years and younger will have to work with a parent or adult. Teenagers 16 to 18 who come alone will need a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
  • RSVP to by calling (808) 277-5611 or emailing volunteer@huihawaii.org
  • huihawaii.org

 

He‘eia Estuary:

  • Saturday, Sept. 18. 9 a.m. to noon
  • 46-465 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne‘ohe

 

Kawainui Wetland:

  • Saturday, Sept. 25. 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • Access is in Kawainui Neighborhood Park, 750 Kaha St., Kailua

 

 

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