Hawaii Children's Discovery Center - Let's Learn through Play -
Kaka'ako Waterfront Park entrance
I visited the Discovery Center for the first time. It was a beautiful June morning. There is ample parking right in front of the Center and extra parking at Kaka'ako Park. Each gallery of displays is made so that the children can explore and interact with their parents and have fun while learning. All displays are designed with the "small people" in mind and everything is at their eye level.
huge chair in the Library
There is a huge chair in the Library, big enough for two children, maybe even three, to sit comfortably and read their books. The tree house and castle have areas where the children can crawl in and enjoy their books. The pleasant atmosphere just makes it fun to read!
Next is the Imagination Station. This gallery changes periodically. "Taking Care of Pets" is the current theme of the gallery. There is a Pet Clinic that has all the equipment that you would encounter when you go to the veterinarian. The area is made up of other hands-on displays.
Children are playing at Your Town
Next is Your Town. I thought this was simply adorable because it was all in miniature. There is the Police Station, a Court of Law, the Post Office, Fire Department, Auto Repair Shop, Bank, Theater, TV Station KKID, a Diner and Clinic. I saw children going to the Supermarket and putting milk and veggies into their cart and then pretending to pay for it at the cashier. Each area has uniforms and equipment so that the children can have a hands-on experience at each stop. The TV station looks real. Children can go and pretend to be the anchorperson for the evening news. When I visited the theater a little three year old girl was performing hula for her dad. She was on stage and dad was the audience. And next to the stage is a dressing room full of costumes.
Fantastic You is the area that teaches the children about their body. The displays explain the workings of the brain, heart, stomach, bones and mouth. This gallery also includes a basketball court and a wheelchair course. Children are able to sit in a wheelchair and go through the course opening doors and going up a ramp. Learn through experience.
Your Rainbow World - Portuguese kitchen
The last two galleries are Hawaiian Rainbows and Your Rainbow World. The area Hawaiian Rainbows explains the multi-cultural history of our grandparents and great grandparents, those who came to Hawaii from foreign countries to work on the plantations.
Your Rainbow World - Indian, Portuguese
and Filipino
Your Rainbow World - American
Children can play in areas that look like a plane and ship. There are also areas that depict an immigration office and a hotel activity counter. This area explains the importance of Hawaii's tourism industry to our children. Your Rainbow World shows what homes look like in Japan, China, India, Portugal and the Philippines. Children learn to understand what it is like to live in a multi-cultural community. Each home is decorated with traditional furniture, food and clothing. Children can try on the clothes and play in each room.
The Discovery Center is currently being renovated and will be offering more experiences for toddlers, new traveling exhibits, space for kids' day camps and a cafe where families can grab a bite. The Center exists due to the hard work of a core group of staff and volunteers and through the generosity of charitable foundations and corporations in our community. They continue to need donations to cover the cost of the expansion. Please support the Center by going to their website www.discoverycenterhawaii.org or calling 524-5437. This is a wonderful place to take your children. Let's learn through play!
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Monday Closed
Gift shop
Admission: General $8.00
Children (2-17) $6.75 Children under 2 are free. Annual memberships are available for families, grandparents and individuals.
remnants of incinerator
Hawaii Children's Discovery Center is located adjacent to Kaka'ako Waterfront Park. What was once an old incinerator next to a city landfill near downtown Honolulu became a three story facility where children can go to enjoy galleries full of fun and interactive learning. "Learn through Play", that is the goal of the Discovery Center. The staff and volunteers have been helping the young people of Hawaii to do just that since 1998. All I can say is that I wish this facility had been in existence when my children were little.
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