Ohana Movie Night in Kapolei to bring community together to support Hawai‘i’s children

Kapolei, Hawai‘i -- The Good Beginnings Alliance, in partnership with Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i, is holding ‘Ohana Movie Night, a rally and fundraiser in support of early childhood education, tomorrow (Saturday, March 23) from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i water park in Kapolei.

“This event is aimed at bringing families together to focus attention on the future of our state – our children – and the role early childhood education can play in giving our kids a great start in life.” said Deborah Zysman, executive director of the Good Beginnings Alliance.

The event will feature the movie, “ParaNorman,” an Academy Award-nominated animated film about a misfit boy with special talents who saves his town. Five rides will be open during the event: Hawaiian Waters Wave Pool, where the movie will be shown, Water World, Keiki Kove, Island Racers, and Raging River. Hawaiian 105 KINE radio will also have personality Sistah Sherry at the event.

Food concessions will also be open. No alcohol will be served or be allowed into the park. Coolers, outside food or drink will also be prohibited. Park passes will not be honored for this event.

Terry Lock, director of the Executive Office of Early Learning, and state Rep. Sharon Har (D – Kapolei) are scheduled to give remarks at about 6:40 p.m., just prior to the start of the movie.

Admission to the event is $10 per adult. Children 17 years old and under are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult in order to enter the event. Tickets can be purchased online at www.BeMyVoiceHawaii.org or with cash at the door at the event from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“We are expecting hundreds of families to attend based on our pre-event ticket sales,” Zysman said. “This support is great news especially with the community push to urge the Legislature to approve measures to implement and fund the state’s first early learning system.”

Three bills currently awaiting a hearing by the House Finance Committee would implement an initial school readiness program and then a high-quality early learning system. Requests are also before the Senate Ways and Means Committee to restore about $30 million in funding to implement the early education programs.

Informational tables will be set up at the event for people to sign up for the Be My Voice! Hawai‘i campaign to receive alerts on the progress of the bills.

“There’s still time for folks to come out and support early education and our children,” Zysman said. “Hawai‘i is one of 11 states without state-funded preschool. Our hope is that this event will empower families and our community to work to change that statistic this legislative session.”

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Good Beginnings Alliance is Hawai‘i’s leading independent voice advocating for the rights of the whole child: safety, health, and education. The grassroots, public will-building campaign, Be My Voice! Hawai‘i, is committed to ensuring every child has access to quality preschool so they can succeed in school and in life. www.bemyvoicehawaii.org

NOTE: Media organizations interested in covering ‘Ohana Movie Night should contact Crystal Kua by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 230-4086 to make arrangements for parking and admission.