The longstanding Hawaii Children and Youth Day event on Oahu is going online this year with a Catholic touch.
The Oct. 2 event will have a virtual scavenger hunt with prizes, interactive online “booths” with storytelling, crafts and educational videos, and family resources.
It will also feature a virtual stage of entertainers including a number of local Catholic youth. They are Rachel Faith Javier, a recent Sacred Hearts Academy graduate, Andromeda Tong, a Sacred Hearts 10th grader, and Mary, Star of the Sea Parish youth ministry members Nalu Kam, Anaya Muneno, Franklin Hung and Paolo Garcia.
Other performers and speakers in the “virtual auditorium” include Brother Noland, Dave Dunaway of Imua, Gensen Rabacal, Disney and Marvel cosplayers, and three hula halaus.
While there are downsides to not being able to gather in person, the virtual event also makes it easier for people to show up. For instance, tenth grade youth performer Paolo Garcia recently moved to Spain for soccer training but can still participate.
Mary, Star of the Sea’s youth ministry coordinator, Karen Loebl, is the longtime chair of Hawaii Children and Youth Day. She said that although the event is usually held on the Hawaii state Capitol grounds, the event organizers are excited about going virtual.
Register free at hawaiicyd.org.