LIHU‘E — Toddler Thursdays continues at the Kukui Grove Center on the first and third Thursday of each month, said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the Kukui Grove marketing director. “School started Monday so there aren’t that many keiki,” said Stel Pimental, emcee
LIHU‘E — Toddler Thursdays continues at the Kukui Grove Center on the first and third Thursday of each month, said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the Kukui Grove marketing director.
“School started Monday so there aren’t that many keiki,” said Stel Pimental, emcee for The Showtime Characters. “But there are still a lot of keiki who are too young for school so it’s good.”
The Showtime Characters, Circles of Light, T&J Sound and the merchants of the Kukui Grove Center are sponsors of the twice-monthly free event which offers keiki hands-on crafts highlighted by the performance of The Showtime Characters.
With more than 80 characters in its stable, The Showtime Characters’ cast of appearances is a surprise until the curtain rises. On Thursday, keiki, their families and lunchtime shoppers at the mall got a treat from Jake and the Pirates.
“We’re expanding,” Pimental said. “Visit www.showtime characters for a full roster of characters. We have also added clowns and balloon art. For those who want to book characters for a party performance, there is an application online, too.”
The hands-on crafts and activities are hosted by the Circles of Light, an organization committed to celebrating and honoring that bright potential and sacred wholeness in all peoples in communities across the globe, its website states.
“We visit the middle schools and work with students on alcohol and drug prevention programs,” said Akiko Hosaka, a Circles of Light volunteer. “We also visit the Hanama‘ulu housing project each Friday with crafts and other activities to support the children there.”
Kaohelauli‘i said Toddler Thursdays is free to shoppers and takes place from 11 a.m. to noon on the first and third Thursdays of each month in the food court area.
Visit www.showtimecharacters.com for more information on The Showtime Characters; visit www.circlesoflight.org for more information on the Circles of Light and visit www.kukuigrovecenter.com for more information on Kukui Grove.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
