The lights will be turned up and the sound will be turned down Saturday for a “sensory-friendly” movie experience at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.
The nonprofit Autism Moms of Kona has partnered with Regal Cinemas to provide movie-watching events that better accommodate people with sensory processing disorders, such as autism.
Select Regal theaters across the country have become spaces where guests can express themselves by singing, crying, walking around, talking or shouting while enjoying new releases.
“These sensory-friendly events take into consideration that some people may be scared of the dark and overwhelmed by loud noises, so they turn up the lights and turn down the sound,” said Jessica McCullum, founder of Autism Moms of Kona. “These movie showings also mean that attendees have a general understanding of inclusion and won’t feel disrupted by others talking, walking around and wiggling.”
In 2017, Regal offered sensory-friendly movies in Hilo but stopped the service due to a lack of attendance. Kailua-Kona’s Regal held its first sensory-friendly movie in May 2023 after Country Denis, Miss Teen Hawaii International 2022, spearheaded the idea with her platform of “Autism Awareness with Aloha.”
“I think one of our major achievements is increasing attendance at these movies, which have made an impact on families,” McCullum said. “We believe that sensory-friendly options should be more accessible in public settings, so everyone can feel more welcomed with less social stigma.”
Since May of this year, the Regal theaters in Hilo and Kona have been showing one to two sensory-friendly movies a month. The movies are usually during a less-busy time and are offered at the discounted matinee price.
This Saturday, families can watch the sensory-friendly showing of “Despicable Me 4” at Regal Prince Kuhio in Hilo at 10:40 a.m. Tickets are $7 online or at the box office.
The sensory-friendly movies are one aspect Autism Moms of Kona’s advocacy for more inclusion in public spaces and acceptance by the community. The nonprofit is working to raise awareness with service providers and businesses about accessibility for people with autism.
Recently, some of the public libraries have started to offer sensory-friendly story times for children who may need a more private setting or the freedom to move around and make noise.
“These events are the perfect time to teach neuro-typical kids about inclusion and that some of their peers may be a little different or need more support,” McCullum said. “Creating inclusive environments can help children understand and become enthusiastic about befriending and helping their peers in and out of school earlier in life .”
In the past three years, Autism Moms of Kona has grown from 30 members to 390, with 80 of those families active in private programs. Along with fostering more community acceptance, the nonprofit hopes to create a hub that will connect families within the community, especially those who are feeling overwhelmed and lack support.
“We are a special need, and we want to support families nurturing children on the autism spectrum through behavioral therapies, teen mentorship or support groups,” McCullum said. “Thriving and being understood within the home can help children feel more comfortable outside the home.”
Autism Moms of Kona will be hosting its fourth annual Sensory Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, at Kuleana Academy in Holualoa.
The summertime celebration embraces inclusion and autism acceptance by offering 25 sensory-friendly activities, ranging from a bubble station, to a lei making station, ball pit, painting activities and water play.
The next sensory-friendly story time will be 10 a.m. on Friday, July 26, at the Kailua-Kona Public Library
For more information about Autism Moms of Kona and its services and events, visit autismmomsofkona.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.