Hawaiʻi County brings back Summer Fun program for island youth
Summer Fun returns June 8 with a $150 slot at Kailua Park and limited openings island-wide. Some sites were already taking appointments as parents hunt for summer childcare.
For many Hawaiʻi Island families, the return of Summer Fun is less a parks notice than a childcare plan. Hawaiʻi County opened the 2026 program for keiki and teens, offering supervised daytime activities from June 8 through July 17, Monday through Friday, with closures on June 11 and July 3.
The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation said the program will run at locations across the island and is built around sports, music, crafts, dance, indoor and outdoor games, special events and field excursions. The county has positioned it as a safe, structured option for working families that need something more reliable than patchwork babysitting or missed work shifts.
Cost will matter immediately. At Kailua Park, Summer Fun registration was set for April 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the fee was listed at $150. County pages said some families may qualify for fee waivers or assistance, a crucial detail for households already balancing rent, food, gas and the higher cost of summer care.
The squeeze is also logistical. County officials said registration dates vary by site, and some locations were already scheduling appointments when the program was announced. That means families who wait are likely to lose the best shot at a slot, especially at the most convenient neighborhood sites. Parents were directed to their local parks office for site lists, waitlist procedures and help with fee assistance.
The program is also part of a seasonal jobs pipeline. Parks and Recreation said in January it was already accepting applications for temporary positions tied to the 2026 Summer Fun Program, and the county homepage later extended the employment deadline to April 17. That makes Summer Fun not only a child-care lifeline, but also a short-term employment opportunity for local workers who want summer income.
As Hawaiʻi County moves deeper into the spring registration window, the message for families is simple: check the nearest parks office now, confirm the site schedule, and do not assume a spot will still be open later. For many households, the difference between getting in and missing out will be the difference between a manageable summer and a month-long scramble.
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