Department of Human Services

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2015

The Hawaii Coalition for Dads and the State Commission on Fatherhood invite all Hawaii fathers, father figures, and their families to the 17^th Annual Celebrate Father’s Day celebration. The Saturday, June 20, 2015 event at Windward Mall Center Stage runs from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and highlights the important roles that fathers and father figures play in children’s lives.

An increasing body of evidence indicates that children are more likely to thrive with the support, guidance, and nurturing of both parents.  Yet, many children across the country are growing up without fathers.  As a result, they may lack appropriate male role models and face greater risks of health, emotional, educational, and behavioral problems during their developmental years. The National Fatherhood Initiative reports that children and families function much better with an active, involved and responsible father in their lives.

The Hawaii Celebrate Father’s Day event features live entertainment, family-friendly resource tables and activities, and a Father-Child Look-a-Like Contest. Fathers and father figures are invited to enter the contest with a child of any age. Entries may include Father-Child, Father-Child-Grandchild, and Grandfather-Grandchild teams. A father and father figure may be accompanied by more than one child. Drop off entry forms at Windward Mall Center Stage no later than 12:30 pm on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The contest begins at 1:00 pm. Contest entry forms and rules are posted on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Fatherhood Commission webpage, along with information about other events celebrating Father’s Day 2015.

In addition to the 17th Annual Celebrate Father’s Day event at Windward Mall, the Hawaii Coalition for Dads and the State Commission on Fatherhood are sponsoring a Fatherhood Essay Contest.  Public, private, charter, and home-schooled high school students are encouraged to submit essays about relationships with biological dads, step-dads, adoptive dads, or non-related dad figures.  To reflect the reality that parent-child relationships are not always easy, contest judges want to hear about positive and negative experiences.

The State Commission on Fatherhood also is holding a Logo Contest.  Hawaii public, private, charter, and home-schooled high school students are encouraged to create and submit logos that reflect the Commission’s mission and successes.  Entry deadline for the Essay and Logo Contests is Sunday, May 31, 2015.

Summary of Father’s Day Contest Deadlines and Events

Sunday, May 31, 2015

• Deadline to enter Essay Contest, sponsored by Hawaii Coalition for Dads and the State Commission on Fatherhood
• Deadline to enter Logo Contest, sponsored by the State Commission on Fatherhood

Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Windward Mall Center Stage

• 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Live entertainment, family-friendly activities and resource tables, Father-Child Look-a-Like Contest
• 12:30 pm – Deadline to enter Father-Child Look-a-Like Contest
• 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Father-Child Look-a-Like Contest with Awards

Father-Child Look-a-Like Contest, Essay Contest, and Logo Contest entry forms and rules are posted on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Fatherhood Commission web page.

The Commission on Fatherhood is administratively attached to the DHS. The mission of the Commission is to promote healthy family relationships by emphasizing the important role fathers play in the lives of their children. The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to state agencies and makes recommendations on programs, services, contracts, policies, and laws relating to children and families.

Photo/Interview Opportunities:
Mr. Chet Adessa, Chair
State Commission on Fatherhood
(808) 927-0555, [email protected]
www.humanservices.hawaii.gov/fatherhood