Kekaha Family Fun Day, Play Streets Event Scheduled This Weekend

There will be something for everyone this weekend during Fourth of July celebrations in Kekaha.

E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha invites the community to the Kekaha Family Fun Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center. A free Play Streets Kaua‘i pilot event for keiki also is scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon on Elepaio Road and at portions of the Kekaha Neighborhood Center and Kekeha Park.

“I am immensely grateful to all the partners who worked productively on this event for our keiki,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a press release. “This pilot is an example of creative, low-cost and community-oriented strategies to address barriers to promoting physical activity and social connections in our rural communities, such as limited resources and reduced access to active play spaces and events.”

Elepaio Road, from Alae Road to Amakihi Road, will be closed from 8 a.m.-1 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 closure. All other bus stops in Kekaha will be available.

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

Play Streets temporarily closes streets to create a safe, publicly accessible space for children and their families to engage in active play. The event aims to host fun outdoor activities for keiki and their ‘ohana to promote physical activity while opening opportunities to build social connections among communities.

Play Streets activities will include:

• 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 ninja obstacle course by Alex Acopiado from Toy Fit’
• Pickleball play by Laurie Yoshida from Pickleball Association Kaua‘i.
• Fishing clinic with throw-net by community partners.
• Basketball play by community volunteers.
• Free play with bubbles, chalk, hula hoops, jumping rope and more activities with Waimea High School Cheer.

“Physical activity is great for our keiki; it builds strong bones and muscles, reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves school performance. It’s also great for their mental health and emotional well-being,” Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i district health officer, said in the press release. “Play Streets is particularly important in rural communities like Kaua‘i. It provides a safe space to be active while also fostering community relationships and connections. We hope that this summer break, many families join this and other supervised spaces to be active, especially when children are not in school or involved in sports or other physical activities.”

Only Kekaha residents can register for a $10 lunch or dinner coupon. Click here to register.