It’s Waimanaloween
Pumpkins, hayrides and shave ice, oh my!
These highlights and more provide for a full day of family fun at Waimanalo Country Farms, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October.
A country store offers old-fashioned lemonade in Mason jars, homemade cornbread, cotton candy and other ono foods.
For kids, there’s a corn maze, face-painting, pumpkin painting and a small petting zoo with goats, donkeys and a cow. Try your hand at autumn-themed games such as the pumpkin cannon and pumpkin pull.
Climb up high on a tractor in the field to take photos, and pick a pumpkin or two from a field framed by the Koolaus on one side and the ocean on the other.
Waimanalo Country Farms is a family-run farm that’s been in business since 1948, run by five generations of the Kadooka family. Shawn and Dominic Kadooka specialize in growing Dakota sweet corn.
This is the second year the farm is offering the pumpkin patch and corn maze. Strollers and wagons are welcome, though the pumpkin patch and dirt roads are bumpy.
Admission is free, but scrip ($1 each) is required for the hayride, games and food. Pay for pumpkins by the pound at the farm, 41-225 Lupe St. across from Waimanalo Beach Park.
Visit www.waimanalocountryfarms.com or call 306-4381 for details and directions.
Study before seeing ‘Aida’
Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Opera Express will present a family-friendly production of “Aida” on Nov. 2.
All who reserve tickets in advance will have online access to a study guide at www.hawaiitheatre.com, complete with the story, songs, games and music for which performers will invite the audience to join in.
Written by Giuseppe Verdi, “Aida” is the tragic love story of a handsome Egyptian commander and a beautiful Ethiopian slave.
Blythe Kelsey-Takemasa plays Aida, slave of Egyptian princess Amneris (played by Cathryn Masuda). Nick Walters plays Radames, the Egyptian general. A child volunteer will be asked to play a small speaking role (included in the study guide).
Adults can also watch this production in preparation for a grown-up version scheduled to run next year.
“Aida,” which runs less than an hour, is appropriate for children in grades K to 8. Tickets are $5, $7 and $10; children under 4 are free. It will be shown at 6 p.m.
Call the Hawaii Theatre Box Office at 528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com for tickets.
‘Puss in Boots’ mews onstage
DreamWorks Animation’s “Puss in Boots,” a “Shrek” spinoff parody, hits theaters next month. Make sure you understand all the jokes by attending Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center’s more traditional production of “Puss in Boots.”
Watch the classic fairy tale of the clever cat who defeats an ogre, plays matchmaker and transforms his master into the rich and famous Marquis of Carabas.
Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. today and 3 p.m. on Sunday as well as Oct. 29 and 30. Tickets are $10; $5 for students, military and seniors; $3 for ages 3 to 5; and children under 3 are free. The box office opens 30 minutes before each performance.
The Oct. 29 performance will be preceded by the high school’s third annual Halloween keiki fun fair, which features games, crafts, food and activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kaimuki High School is located at 2705 Kaimuki Ave. For more information, call Joanne Libarios at 733-4913 or email jlibarios@gmail.com.