An old wooden skill toy is back in style with kids across Hawaii, a small bright spot for parents and schools looking for screen-free activities.

• Kendamas are turning up in the stands at Friday night football games, where kids practice tricks instead of watching the field.
• Schools are seeing real demand, with about 250 orders for school-themed kendamas and tournaments being organized.
• New phone limits at school gave the toy an opening, and kids are filling that time with tricks.
• Parents recognize them from their own childhood, when the last kendama craze peaked in the mid-2000s.
• Teachers and students say the toy is getting kids across different grades talking to each other in person.

Outlook: Expect more school tournaments and steady sales as the trend spreads through the new school year.