October 2005 is Children & Youth Month in Hawaii.

Join the Hawaii Youth Services Network and other organizations throughout October as we celebrate Hawaii's keiki.

For information on specific events, please contact the persons listed below. For general information or questions about Children & Youth Month, please contact Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland at 586-6130.

HMSA Hawaii Leader for a Day Essay Contest Deadline

Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Free. Students in grades 5 to 12 are eligible to enter by submitting an essay on following topic: "As future leaders, how would you improve physical activity and/or health education in our schools?" Seven winners will each receive a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and spend a day as either honorary Governor, Lt. Governor, Mayor or State Superintendent of Education. Sponsored by McDonald's Restaurant and Hawaii Children's Trust Fund. For complete rules and for more information, call Senator Brian Kanno at 586-6830, Fax: 586-6679 or check out the website at www.kipchawaii.org/children

Hawaii's Outstanding Advocates Awards Nominee Deadline

Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Free. Sponsored by McDonald's Restaurant and Hawaii Children's Trust Fund. For complete rules and for more information, call Representative Dennis Arakakai at 586-6050 or check out the website at www.kipchawaii.org/children or Reparakaki@capitol.hawaii.gov

McDonald's and Hawaii Children's Trust Fund Children & Youth Day

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. State Capitol, Iolani Palace, Washington Place, Hawaii State Art Museum and Honolulu Hale grounds. Free. Join the festivities, including entertainment, educational exhibits, demonstrations, tours of historic places, food, and newly added "Teen Zone" lots of fun for the entire family. Come and celebrate with the children and youth of Hawaii. For information, call Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland at 586-6130.

Keiki Car Seat Checkup

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Department of Health rear parking lot (Entrance through Miller Street). Free. Families can have their child car safety seats checked by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians. Parents who bring their vehicles with their child and child safety seat will get hands-on instruction on how to safely install and use the child safety seat. Sponsored by the Queen's Medical Center and the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition/SAFE KIDS Hawaii. For information call the Queen's Medical Center at 537-4117.

Hawaii Student Film Festival Student Video Showcase

12 Noon to 3 p.m. State Capitol Auditorium. Free. See Hawaii's students video's and meet animators, talent agents and student stars. For information please call 671-5219 or www.hawaiistudentfilmfestival.org

Niketown 5 For Kids

7 a.m. Entry Fee $20.00, T-shirt included. You may choose between a 5K (3.1 mile) or a NikeGO 1 mile Run/Walk. For more information please call 943-6453 or niketown5k.honolulu@ike.com

United Nations 60^th Anniversary

8a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily. Free. Children Are the Future Exhibit. Honolulu Hale. The UNA of the USA sponsor the Model UN Program and, since 1995 the Global Classrooms Program. The UNA prepares young people and educators for a 21st century that is globally interdependent and one in which the UN plays a major role. For information please call 381-7271 or unahawaii@yahoo.com

Kapiolani Medical Center And Pali Momi's Family Health Fair

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi. Health screenings and fun activities for families. For information please call 485-4116.

Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday, Baby Dinosaurs

12 Noon - 5 p.m. Free Windward Mall. $3.00 Admission and Free for Bishop Museum members. Bishop Museum will be celebrating the opening of the new Baby Dinosaur's. A Prehistoric Play-ground exhibit for the whole family to enjoy. For information please call 847-3511 or www.bishopmuseum.org.

17th Annual Talk Story Festival

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free. City and County Parks Dept. presents the 17th annual Talk Story Festival at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Park. Hawaii's largest and oldest storytelling celebration. For more information please call 682-5751 or www.honoluluparks.com

Keiki Fun with Nickelodeon Live

12 Noon to 2 p.m. Free. Exclusively at Pearlridge Uptown Center Stage and Keiki Car Seat Checkup 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Toys R Us Pearlridge parking lot. For more information please call 983-6800.

Live Energy Lite Expo

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Ala Moana Center. Stage, there will be live entertainment by local bands, giveaways and activities related to energy awareness as well as conservation. Participating retailers will also feature ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and other energy-saving items.

7th Annual Westside Youth Festival

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free. Maili Beach Park. A day to celebrate the Ohana. Lots of fun activities, exhibits, storytelling, food, book fair and entertainment. For more information please call 595-0562 x 252

Teen Read Week

"Get Real @ your Library" Teen Read Week Programs at selected libraries through out the state. For more information please call 831-6878 or www.librarieshawaii.org

Keiki Caucus Summit for Children & Youth Month

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free. State Capitol Auditorium. The Keiki Caucus Summit for Children & Youth Month is a gathering for advocates, professionals, parents, youth, and policymakers interested in children and youth issues and want to help define those issues and develop priority actions aimed to resolve them. We are inviting people from a wide range of backgrounds and issues who all share our passion to secure a better future for Hawaii's children and youth. For more information call Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland at 586-6130 or Representative Dennis Arakaki at 586-6050.

Leeward Community College Family, Fun and Craft Fair

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leeward Community College. Free. It's easy to see why the 16th Annual Family Fun and Craft Fair at Leeward Community College is an island tradition! The Fair is a great opportunity to get to know the friendly faculty and staff at this outstanding college in your community. The Craft Fair features educational activities, arts and crafts booths hosted by local vendors, silent auction, lively entertainment by local musicians and dancers, food booths, games for all ages, and the expanded new auto and exotic car exhibit. Join your family and friends to learn more about the interesting programs that Leeward Community College offers to students of all ages. For more information, call 455-0255 or www.lcc.edu.

2^nd Annual Breaking the Silence Family Health and Craft Fair.

7:00 a.m. Check-in at Kapiolani Park Bandstand. Walk Registration, Health Agencies & Organization Info Booths, Youth/Teen Craft Booth, Community-Suicide Prevention Awareness Booth,, For information call Pua Kaninau 381-8424 or www.hawaiispear.org

Windward Mall's Safety Trick or Treat

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free. Windward Mall. Safe treating for the whole family and other fun activities. For more information please call 235-1143 or www.WindwardMall.com

Bishop Museum Treat Street

5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free. Bishop Museum. Safe trick treating and fun activities for children & their families. For more information please call 847-3511 or www.bishopmuseum.org