FAQs

UH West Oahu
91-1001 Farrington Hwy
Kapolei, HI 96707

The event is held each spring — the next date is announced on this site and on our social channels. The opening ceremony starts at 8:30 am. The booths, workshops, and exhibits will open at 9:00 am and close at 3:00 pm. That's 6 hours of non-stop fun and learning!

The event is FREE to the public.

Yes. The Onizuka Day of Exploration will be held live in-person at UH West Oahu 91-1001 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707

There is ample FREE parking available, with designated accessible parking spaces for those who need it. We encourage carpooling whenever possible, particularly for groups, families, friends, or units. You may also park at any of the Rail Park n Ride stations beginning at the Stadium location and ride the Rail to the UH West Oahu station. The station is a 10 minute walk from the UH West Oahu Campus.

TheBus serves the campus with its Route 40, which stops at UH West Oʻahu as it travels between Ala Moana Center and Mākaha Tower. TheBus also operates an express bus service mornings and evenings which serves UH West Oʻahu and includes stops at the Wahiawā, Mililani, and Waipahu transit centers.

The event is FREE and open to the public, so you DO NOT have to be a scout to participate!

No, unfortunately, overnight camping is not permitted at the Onizuka Day of Exploration. We understand that camping adds an exciting element to such events, but we're keeping it to daytime activities only. However, we highly encourage troops and units to participate actively by setting up a booth! To grab your spot, just fill out the booth registration form. It's a great opportunity to engage, learn, and make the most of the event during the day. We appreciate your understanding and can't wait to see you there!

At the Onizuka Day of Exploration, you'll find over 100 hands-on activities, exhibits, and classes for all ages to enjoy. With a special focus on Hawaiian culture, sustainability, and career development, there's something for everyone to learn and discover. We have workshops on robotics, coding, renewable energy, and much more. There will also be a variety of interactive exhibits and displays, as well as live demonstrations and talks from experts in various fields. See the Special Events catalog for details.

Yes. The championships will unfold in the spacious Hawaii Tokai International College Gymnasium, conveniently situated near the same front parking lot of UH West Oahu. This prime location ensures easy access for all participants and spectators, making your visit seamless and enjoyable. More information to follow.

No. Although the spirit of Onizuka Day is STEM. We encourage all units to showcase their creativity and skills on any appropriate topic or subject.

Introduction:
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Welcome to the Onizuka Day of Exploration! We are excited to have you as part of this event and can't wait to see what you have in store for the visitors. Your interactive booth will provide an opportunity for visitors to engage and participate in hands-on activities that demonstrate the principles of scouting.
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Objectives:
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To create an engaging and interactive experience for visitors.<br>
To showcase the skills and principles of scouting.
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To provide a memorable and fun experience for visitors.
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Guidelines:
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Make sure your booth is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
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Provide hands-on activities or games that showcase the principles of scouting.
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Use props, materials, and equipment that are safe for visitors.
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Have a clear and concise explanation of each activity.
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Provide opportunities for visitors to ask questions and learn more about scouting.
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Encourage visitors to share their experience on social media with the event hashtag #onizukaday
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Materials:
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Props and materials to create a visually appealing booth.
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Equipment and supplies needed for each activity.
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Signs and posters to explain each activity.
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Handouts and materials for visitors to take with them.

<br>Build a bridge: Provide materials such as popsicle sticks, glue, and cardboard, and challenge children to build the strongest bridge they can. They can test their bridges by adding weight to see how much it can hold.
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Robot race: Create a simple obstacle course and let children race their homemade robots made with materials like cardboard boxes, motors, and wheels.
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Balloon-powered cars: Provide materials like cardboard, straws, and balloons, and challenge children to build a car powered by air pressure from a balloon.
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Paper planes: Provide different types of paper and challenge children to make the longest-flying paper plane.
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Jenga tower: Create a giant Jenga tower using foam blocks and challenge children to see how high they can build it before it falls.
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Marshmallow structures: Provide marshmallows and toothpicks and challenge children to build the tallest structure they can.
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Electric circuits: Provide materials like batteries, wires, and light bulbs, and challenge children to build a circuit that lights up a bulb.
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Lego building challenge: Provide a variety of Lego bricks and challenge children to build the tallest, strongest, or most creative structure they can.

Here are some websites that provide STEM activities for children ages K-12:
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Science Buddies (sciencebuddies.org)
<br>NASA Kids' Club (www.nasa.gov/kidsclub)
<br>Little Bins for Little Hands (littlebinsforlittlehands.com)
<br>Code.org (code.org)
<br>Projectmc2.com (projectmc2.com)
<br>Coder Kids (coderkids.com)
<br>National Geographic Kids (kids.nationalgeographic.com)
<br>Instructables (instructables.com)
<br>Wonder Workshop (www.makewonder.com)
<br>EdSurge (www.edsurge.com/resources/stem-education)
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<br>These websites offer a range of activities, including hands-on projects, experiments, coding challenges, and educational games.

You can email us at info@onizukaday.com for any inquiries before the event

Booth set up is:
Friday before the event: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Event day (Saturday): 6:00am – 8:00am

Workshop registration opens in the weeks before the event — the link is posted on this site when it goes live.

We encourage everyone to enjoy lunch at the event! The UH West Oahu cafeteria will be open, offering delicious and reasonably-priced meals. By dining at the cafeteria, you'll be supporting our organization as we strive to meet a minimum requirement.

Instead of relying on external catering, we kindly ask that you patronize the cafeteria to help us achieve our goals. We've heard that the food is fantastic, and we're sure you won't be disappointed! Once the menu is finalized for the day, we will publish it on our website for your convenience.

Please plan on enjoying a tasty meal at the UH West Oahu cafeteria during the Onizuka Day of Exploration, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Yes. We are planning on them. As long as all things line up.

For the Onizuka Day of Exploration, we recommend bringing the following items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience:

Comfortable Shoes: You'll be exploring both indoor and outdoor areas, so wear shoes that will keep you comfortable throughout the day.

Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated! There will be places to refill your bottle.

Hat and Sunscreen: If you're sensitive to the sun, these are essential to protect yourself, especially during outdoor activities.

Common Sense: Lastly, use your common sense. The event involves a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, so plan accordingly for the weather and ensure you're prepared for a day of adventure and learning.

Bring both your Class A and Class B. WE asked that all Scout Units wear their Class A uniforms for the opening ceremony from 8:00am-9:00am. After 9:00am you may wear which ever uniform you choose. We highly encourage all Scout participants to purchase and wear the official Onizuka Day of Exploration shirt to show solidarity.

Yes, there will be a variety of food options available for purchase throughout the day. The cafeteria will be open, offering a selection of meals and beverages. Additionally, we will have food trucks stationed at the event, providing a range of cuisines and snacks to cater to different tastes. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a full meal, you'll find plenty of choices to satisfy your hunger.

Yes, we're excited to announce that there will be a talk by a NASA astronaut.

The talk is scheduled for 10:00AM am in the ACM Academy of Creative Media Auditorium. Attendance is free and available on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The auditorium has 100 seats. Additionally, there is overflow seating available with a live screen on the outside lawn screen for attendees.

The ODE event is open to students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, including their families. We offer a wide range of activities suitable for all ages.

Each age group has tailored activities. Younger children will enjoy interactive and sensory-based learning, middle schoolers will engage in collaborative projects and challenges, while high school students can expect career guidance, advanced workshops, and inspiring lectures. Family-centered activities are available to bring everyone together.

Absolutely! We have a series of academic enrichment and career-oriented sessions designed specifically for high schoolers, providing valuable information about college and various career paths.

The event is designed so that you can come and go as you please. You’re welcome to stay for the entire event or attend the sessions that interest you the most. Please refer to the schedule for session timings.

Yes, we strive to be an inclusive event. Please contact us directly to discuss any accommodations your child may require.