Kids get the jump on summer fun

WAILUA — The Kids Summer Fest presented by Wilcox Memorial Hospital Saturday attracted about 1,000 youth to Smith’s Tropical Paradise.

Wilcox Hospital offered the free community health fair for the seventh year to promote safe summer fun for the island community’s keiki and their parents. There were also free sports physicals for children between ages 5 and 18.

“Wilcox Memorial Hospital and Kauai Medical Clinic are committed to helping patients on Kauai get the best medical care,” said Dr. Brigitte Carreau, Kauai co-chair of the event. “We hope that Kids Summer Fest continues to create more awareness about making healthy life choices and preventing keiki injury during summer playtime.”

A tram ride with Tucker the facility dog and a pediatric psychologist for the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children came with each registration, and the tram went nonstop during the three-hour festival.

“The people from Kapiolani came special for the event,” said Katie Gallo of the Hawaii Pacific Health marketing department. “They brought a number of bicycle helmets which are being fit by the Kapiolani people and given to the keiki for free.”

Jadyn and Edyn Nakaahiki were recipients of free helmets.

“This is so exciting,” said Leona Manguchei who was accompanying the two girls. “We’re having so much fun.”

Jadyn said her favorite areas, after visiting seven stations, were the health and fitness (Play Strong and Balance Fun presented by the Wilcox Rehab Services) and the CPR demonstration.

“I didn’t know you had to press that hard,” Edyn said. “Or, you had to do it so fast.”

Other workshops covered concussion awareness, foot wear, healthy snack choices and a skills obstacle course. Kids were also invited to views of Sparky’s House, an American Medical Response ambulance, and the Kauai Police Department’s Armored Rescue Vehicle.