County of Hawai‘i Announces 2020 Ike Kai Summer Enrichment Program at Richardson Ocean Center

County of Hawai‘i Announces 2020 Ike Kai Summer Enrichment Program at Richardson Ocean Center

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation announces its 2020 Ike Kai summer enrichment program will begin Monday, June 15, and consists of six (6) separate one-week long programs.

The mission of the Ike Kai summer enrichment program is to bring learning to life by using both Western and traditional Hawaiian cultural knowledge. Its purpose is to focus on the health of the coastal ecosystem through education and outreach. Its core principle is the promotion of Mālama Honua – taking care of the land and the ocean by strengthening the community’s skills. The program also promotes ocean safety and awareness.

The program will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and includes a snack and take home-lunch. Enrollment is open to children who have completed 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade this past school year. The program will be hosted at Richardson Ocean Center in Keaukaha. There is NO CHARGE for this program.

Enrollment will begin on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:45 a.m. and will close on Thursday,
June 4 at 4:30 p.m. Enrollment will be accepted from parents/guardians via electronic submission at www.hawaiicounty.gov/summer-fun or by calling the Recreation Division at 961-8740 (During business hours only: 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Note: information left on voicemail will not be accepted.)

Online enrollment is strongly encouraged as staff availability to take phone calls and process enrollments is limited. No walk-in enrollment applications will be accepted, participants are limited to enrolling in one week-long session and each enrollment application allows for up to 4 children from the same household.

Participants will be chosen via a random selection method as space is limited. Selected participants will be contacted by Recreation staff by Wednesday, June 10, at which time an appointment for submitting completed registration forms will be arranged. All other enrollees will be placed on a waitlist should a program site determine it is able to expand or if prior selected participants exit the program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Ike Kai summer enrichment program will be significantly modified to address the health and safety of program participants and staff. The program will adhere to all Federal, State and County level rules and standard for safe operation, as appropriate, along with various applicable businesses and organizations.

This includes screening each morning prior to entry, a mandatory face mask/cover policy, physical distancing during program activities and enhanced sanitization procedures. The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health’s “Guidelines for Child Care Facilities to Reopen or Continue Care” will be incorporated, as appropriate.

For more information contact the Recreation Division at 961-8740 or via email at recreation@hawaiicounty.gov