PIDF Fall festivities with munchkins and pumpkins!  October 30, 2022

Stretching from the Leeward to Windward side, PIDF keiki and their ʻohana were found Fallin’ in love with Hawaiʻi’s subtle, yet changing seasons. The multi-generational education preschool programs Ka Paʻalana and Tūtū and Me explored their communities’ Fall festivities. 

“I’m grateful that I am able to experience and recreate memories with my baby that her big sister and I enjoyed with Ka Pa’alana three years ago. We’ve been attending for six years now and there’s a reason we always come back, they’re such an amazing program,” said Grace, Ka Paʻalana parent. 

The keiki and their ʻohana went on huakaʻi (field trips) to Aloun Farms in Kapolei and Waimānalo Country Farms. The programs enjoyed a variety of activities offered at the farms including hay rides through palaʻai (pumpkin), corn, or sunflower fields. 

“To come together as one big preschool ‘ohana and return to in-person field trips has been a blessing for our families after being virtual for so long,” said Jess Reyes, Ka Paʻalana program Assistant. “There’s something truly special about seeing a smile face-to-face, exploring new environments, and making fun memories together.”

Some keiki visited a small petting zoo, where they heard the different noises and observed the animals that they may have never seen before like goats, lamas, and pigs. They even got to feed animals hay, who ate straight out of the kids’ hands.

Visiting the farms is a great way for keiki to explore how their Fall time favorite palaʻai are grown and where they come from. Each ʻohana picked out their own local-grown pumpkin to take home and do with it as they please, like carve, paint, or eat! 

“My baby’s first Huaka’i and Ka Pa’alana never disappoints. Charlotte especially enjoyed looking for pumpkins and meeting new friends. Forever grateful!,” said Grace. 

Throughout the year the program curriculum guides keiki to observe particular things and notice them when they’re out on field trips. In class at Ka Paʻalana, the students just learned about round shapes and are asked to observe the things in their lives that are round, like pumpkins!