DECEMBER

DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE - Cinderella
A beloved family musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella begins in the village square as a Herald proclaims: "The Prince is Giving a Ball!" to celebrate the Prince's 21st birthday. Cinderella, a virtual slave to her stepmother and stepsisters, barely hears the furor. Left alone in her corner, she dreams of living an exotic life as a princess or anything other than a servant. When her Fairy Godmother arrives, her wish is granted, and Cinderella is transformed into a beautifully gowned young lady. Join Diamond Head Theatre as we transport a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true. Cinderella will make your heart soar when the slipper fits. The show runs on various days and times from December 2-23. For tickets or more information, call 733-0274 or visit diamondheadtheatre.com.

PEARLRIDGE SHOPPING CENTER - The Pearlridge Express
From now through January 8, 2012, The Pearlridge Express will be chugging its way around Uptown Center Court. Children under 48 inches tall can climb aboard for only $3 and embark on a magical adventure through a world of oversize toys. Coupon books containing 10 ride vouchers are available at the Pearlridge Express Ticket Booth for $25. For more information, such as specific hours of operation, call 488-0981.

GINGERBREAD FAMILY FESTIVAL
The 12th Annual Oahu Gingerbread Family Festival takes place on Sunday, December 4 at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. The popular festival allows friends and families to participate in one of two gingerbread house-making sessions taking place during that day. Holiday music and photos with Santa round out the festivities. Registration forms and more information available at EasterSealsHawaii.org.

BALLET HAWAII - Nutcracker
A holiday season tradition, Ballet Hawaii's production uses over 165 local young dancers with mainland guest artists from major ballet companies to tell the enchanting story of this Christmas classic, The Nutcracker. Show dates and times are December 16 at 8 pm, December 17 at 7:30 pm and December 18 at 2 pm. For more information, visit ballethawaii.org.

WINDWARD MALL - Farmers Market
Every Wednesday from 2:30 to 7:30 pm, Windward Mall hosts a local farmers market, featuring fresh produce, beautiful flowers, culinary treats and other unique local products including honey, tropical flavored jellies and jams, freshly baked breads, pastries and desserts, seafood including smoked fish and slipper lobster tails, gourmet balsamic vinegars as well as oils, dips, sauces, Thai curries and more! The farmer's market is located inside Windward Mall fronting Macy's on the upper and lower levels, where the weather is always perfect. For more information, visit WindwardMall.com.

LIVING ART MARINE CENTER
Reef Walks
Explore the diversity of marine life on our shallow water reefs stretching from the east to the west coast. Wading in up to knee-deep water, we will show you critters you never even thought were there. Special December reef walks are only $6.50 per person or two for $10 (registration required, spaced are limited, terms apply). Dates: December 21, 23, 26, 30. Start time and location varies per date. More information: 841-8080 or visit livingartmarinecenter.com.

Holiday Hours
Looking for a fun way to spend your Christmas break? Visit the Living Art Marine Center, Hawaii's newest interactive aquarium near Honolulu Airport. See beautiful fish, play fun educational games, touch a hermit crab, or make a fish print t-shirt. Tag along for a guided tour any day between December 19 and 30 (closed on Christmas). Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 841-8080 or visiting livingartmarinecenter.com.

DAVE AND BUSTER'S - Breakfast with Santa
Skip the long lines at the mall and join Dave and Buster's for their annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 17 from 8 to 10:30 am. For just $17.99 per adult and $11.99 per keiki (children under 3 years old are free), your family will enjoy a breakfast buffet, a photo with Santa, airbrush face painting, and a complimentary Power Card. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and receive a free gift. Santa's Breakfast Buffet includes Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, D&B Sausage, Roasted Potatoes, White Rice, Mini Muffins & Danishes, Fresh Fruit, and unlimited coffee, soda, & tea.

Hurry, this event is one day only and tickets will sell out! Tickets are non-refundable. Dave & Buster's enforces an underage guest policy of one adult for every six minors under the age of 21. Reservations are required. Call 589-2215 for more information.

HAWAII ACADEMY
Mark your calendars for Hawaii Academy's weekly Monday, Wednesday and Friday Fun Nights. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 to 10 pm (6 to 10 pm on Fridays), you can drop the kids off (6 years or older; 5-year-olds welcome with guardian) and enjoy adult time while they participate in activities such as gymnastics, trampoline, games and supervised free play in a safe and physically active environment. Or, you can join your little ones for an evening of family fun! Non-members welcome! For prices and information, visit hawaiiacademy.org or call 842-5642. When you call, ask us about our intersession day camps!

WAIKIKI AQUARIUM - Exploring the Reef at Night
For an experience you'll never forget, join the Waikiki Aquarium on Friday, December 9, Friday, December 24 or Saturday, January 7 from 6:30-9 pm as they explore the reef at night. Aquarium staff and participants wade up to their knees on these wet and wild excursions. Test your nocturnal vision as you search for crabs, shrimps, eels and octopi. For ages 5 and up, youngsters must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Email reservations@waquarium.org or call 440-9011.

WINTER PROGRAMS

ROYAL ACADEMY OF BALLET
The first certified Royal Academy of Dance school in the state of Hawaii offers a Winter Dance Camp that will inspire young dances. The camp runs Monday through Friday from December 19-30. Children will have the opportunity to develop an appreciation for the art of dance through ballet classes, dance notation, dance music and rhythm lessons, dance art and crafts, and pilates and yoga. For more information, call 528-0808 or visit rabhawaii.com.

WIZ KIDS
Just in time for the holiday break, the Wiz Kids' Winter Recess program runs from December 19-30 and includes 2-hour tutoring sessions. The program is offered at the Pearl City and Kaimuki locations. For more information, call 738-5437 or visit wizkids.cc.

YMCA
Looking for childcare when school is out? The YMCA of Honolulu is the place. The YMCA offers childcare programs for boys and girls in kindergarten through 8th grade. The day will include arts and crafts, outdoor games, recreation swim, games and much more. The winter program runs from December 19-30; some branches are also offering programs the first week in January 2012. For more information, call 531-9622 or visit ymcahonolulu.org.

AKAMAI LEARNING CENTER
Join Akamai Learning Center over the winter break for individualized tutoring sessions. Akamai provides a customized learning program to meet your needs and help your child improve their academic skills. The winter intersession program runs from December 19 through January 2. Call 946-8722 or visit akamaissat.com for more information.

KAMA'AINA KIDS
Kama'aina Kids day camps are a safe and enriching experience for children in grades K-6. Each day camp location combines the unique personalities of its staff with off-site adventures and on-site activities. Visit kamaainakids.com for more information.

OPEN HOUSES

OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL AND LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
Our Redeemer Lutheran School and Lutheran High School will be holding an Open House on Wednesday, January 18 from 5:30 - 7 pm. Preschool through high school tours are now being scheduled. For more information for preschool through grade 8, call 945-7765 ext. 222 or visit ORLS-HI.org, For information for grades 9-12, call 949-5302 or visit lhshawaii.org

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC ACADEMY
Cathedral Catholic Academy's Open House will be on Sunday, January 22, from 1-3 pm. For information, call 533-2069 or visit ccahawaii.org.

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Central Christian School will be holding an Open House on Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to Noon. Assisting families since 2005, this school offers small classes for preschool and kindergarten children ages 3, 4 and 5. For more information, or visit centralchristianschooloahu.org or call call 347-4417.

LA PIETRA
La Pietra's Admissions Open House - a must-attend event for families with daughters - will be held on Saturday, February 11. Learn about academics, athletics and their wide array of co-curricular activities. Families will have a chance to hear from Mahina Eleneki Hugo, Head of School, deans, teachers, current students and parents. Campus tour begins at 1:15 pm and the program begins at 2 pm. For more information, visit LaPietra.edu.

SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL
Saint Francis School will be offering an Admissions Open House for prospective students and parents on Sunday, February 12. An informational session will begin at 1pm where you can learn about their academic and extra-curricular programs, meet their facility and staff, and then have the chance to tour their 11-acre campus. For more information, call 988-4111 ext. 712 or visit stfrancis-oahu.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CREATIVEKEIKI.Com
A new, free online community promoting creativity and imagination in Hawaii's youth recently launched. The site hosts creative contests for elementary school-aged children living in Hawaii and rewards great prizes to winners. Membership is completely free and allows your child to participate in all the contests. The goal of CreativeKeiki.com is to provide local children with a forum to creatively express themselves while having fun as they showcase the beautiful and unique ways they see the world. Learn more by visiting CreativeKeiki.com.

LOKAHI GIVING PROJECT
Adopt-A-Family Program
Since its inception in 1985, Lokahi has been helping Hawaii's struggling families by providing them with life's basic necessities, year-round emergency assistance, and brighter holiday seasons. The Adopt-a-Family Program is the most popular program that LOKAHI provides. LOKAHI works with over 200 non-profit and social service agencies, shelters, group homes, and hospitals to identify families and individuals needing help. When you choose to adopt one or more of these families, you'll receive the family members' first names, ages, special needs and Christmas wishes, with a brief description of the challenges they are facing and guidelines on how you can help. For more information, visit lokahigivingproject.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JAMMERS VOLLEYBALL CLUB
Develop basic motor skills, increase major muscle coordination, orient to team play and build self-confidence at the upcoming Jammers Juniors volleyball clinic January 8 through March 4. For boys and girls ages 7-13, the program meets on Sundays from 12-1 pm for boys and 2-3 pm for girls. Registration forms and information can be downloaded at jammersvbc.clubspaces.com (follow link to Jammers Juniors Web page) or email jammersvbc@hotmail.com.

TAVA HAWAII VOLLEYBALL
TAVA Hawaii Volleyball and Tita Ahuna are proud to present the TAVA Tots program starting in January. TAVA Tots is designed to introduce your son or daughter, ages 4-7 to the sport of volleyball. Through fun, challenging, educational activities, your future athlete will develop locomotor movement skills, motor control and basic skills and concepts in volleyball. The Winter Session meets Sundays on January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5 & 12 and the Spring Session also meets Sundays on April 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 20, 27. Ask about our Winter Intercession Clinics and Junior Volleyball Programs. For more information, visit tavahawaii.org or call 855-344-TAVA.

BIRTHDAY EXPO HAWAII
Planning a birthday party and short on ideas? Attending a birthday bash and looking for the perfect gift? You will find amazing gifts, ideas and services for birthdays at the Birthday Expo Hawaii! The expo will be held at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall on February 11 from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday, February 12 from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information, including details on becoming a vendor, call 596-2999 or visit BirthdayExpoHawaii.com.