Several shopping centers plan Halloween activities for the keiki

Safe alternatives for trick-or-treating are available at numerous venues around Oahu. Costume contests and special holiday-themed events will also be held at certain locations. Here is a list of the events:

» Ala Moana Center: Trick-or-treat from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Lists of participating merchants are available at the customer service desk. Call 955-4811.

» Kahala Mall: Trick-or-treat throughout the mall, 3:30 to 5 p.m. tomorrow for keiki in costume. Look for balloons at participating stores. Call 732-7736.

» Kapolei Shopping Center and Marketplace: Trick-or-treat from 3 to 5 p.m. tomorrow. Other highlights include a minipumpkin patch with minipumpkins to decorate, a jewelry making craft, Halloween tattoos and more. For more information, visit themarketplaceatkapolei.com.

» Pearlridge: Free trick-or-treating from 2 to 4 p.m. tomorrow for costumed keiki in both Uptown and Downtown centers, followed by a performance by Chris da Clown from 4 to 5 p.m. Call 488-0981.

» Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Costume contest led by Stevo the Clown at 4 p.m. tomorrow; registration begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Royal Grove, located between Buildings B and C, along Kalakaua Avenue. Contest categories are: cutest, infant to 2 years old; most creative, ages 3-5; most original, ages 6-10; and best parent and child costumes. Other attractions include juggling, balloon animals and trick or treating. Call 922-2299.

» Wahiawa Shopping Center: Hands-on activities, make-and-take minipumpkins, a photo booth and more will be featured from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Among the highlights are a pet costume contest from 11 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a keiki costume contest at noon and a magic show by Craig the Illusionist at 12:45 p.m. Admission is free. Call 221-2774.

» Ward Centers: Costumed keiki can stroll along "Trick-or-Treat Street" and collect treats from participating merchants, 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Look for the black bats hanging over doorways. Call 591-8411.

Cash for candy to benefit troops

Wondering what to do with the excess Halloween candy your kids collect?

Local dentist Wilfred Miyasaki will pay $1 for each pound of candy that is brought into the office (up to $15). All the candy that is collected, and bundles of toothbrushes, will be sent to U.S. troops stationed overseas. More than 126,000 pounds of candy were collected nationwide last year. Children or families donating candy can also create a note or drawing to thank our troops.

The candy buy-back program takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday at Miyasaki’s downtown Honolulu office, located at 1139 Bethel St., across from the Hawaii Theatre. According to Miyasaki, global sugar consumption for kids increases by about 2 percent annually and currently sits at 50 million tons per year. Diabetes is another concern with candy consumption, since Hawaii has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the nation.

Call 533-0000 or visit www.HalloweenCandyBuyBack.com for more information.

Bishop Museum ready for treat traffic

Bishop Museum hosts Treat Street from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow on the Great Lawn. This year’s festivities are themed as "Ocean Deep" in conjunction with the museum’s latest exhibit, "Creatures of the Abyss." Among the activities are a giant squid beanbag toss, deep-sea dunk, plankton-pie lunge and a creature coloring contest.

Costume contests will be held in the following categories: most adorable (ages 1-5 and 6-12), most original (ages 1-5, 6-12 and 11-15), spookiest (ages 1-5, 6-10 and 11-15), best sea creature (ages 1-5, 6-10 and 11-15) and king and queen of Halloween (16 years and older).

The Hawaii School of Architecture creates a make-believe street for trick-or-treating. Admission is free. Bishop Museum is currently seeking cash or candy donations. Call 848-4157.

Sea Life Park only $2 for visitors in costume

Sea Life Park’s "Halloween Splash" features holiday-themed decor, a children’s costume contest and an opportunity to win a Dolphin Encounter valued at $99.

The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. today. Sea Life Park VIP cards and school supplies will also be distributed to participants. Park admission is $2 for everyone in costume, including adults.

Other highlights include arts and crafts, photographs with Halloween-themed backgrounds, candy distribution and costume contests.

For more information, call 259-2500.

BOO! Bash at Baby Awearness

Looking for a place to bring your baby for Halloween?

Baby Awearness in Manoa is hosting the BOO! Bash today.

There will be face painting, healthful treats, spirited storytelling and crafts for all ages. Design your own reusable trick-or-treat bags, create one-of-a-kind fall-themed decorations and participate in a costume contest for prizes. Costume contest categories include best homemade, best pair, most creative, best animal and scariest.

Baby Awearness is at Manoa Marketplace. For more information, call 988-0010 or visit www.babyawearness.com.