A mishmash of family fun and news

Water world

Whether or not you had time last summer to take the kids to see Johnson Enos’ “Honu by the Sea” show in the Royal Hawaiian hotel’s Monarch Room, you’ll have another opportunity to catch child-friendly “underwater” entertainment with “John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean.” The big difference? Puppets!

Enos told his story of environmentally conscious creatures using a human cast. Tartaglia’s colorful characters — puppets animated by “invisible” actors in a black-light environment — move with a fishlike realism in a three-dimensional underwater world.

The stars of the show are a colorful trio — a young green fish named Dorsel, and his slightly older and more confident friends, Bubbles and Tank. The threesome discovers a treasure map and embarks on a journey.

Tartaglia tours with the musical after stints on “Sesame Street,” Broadway and Disney Channel’s “Johnny and the Sprites.”

Expect lots of singing, some aquatic dancing, brightly colored ocean life, a hint of “Sesame Street” and some sugar-coated lessons about the importance of friendship and being willing to try new things.

Parents can get an overview of the show and download a free study guide at www.imaginocean.com.

Santa joins the fun at Kualoa Ranch

Sit down to Breakfast with Santa at Kualoa Ranch from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 8.

The event will feature entertainment, Christmas crafts and photos with Santa (bring your own camera).

Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, local fruits, rice, pastries and beverages. Twenty-minute trolley rides will be offered through the ranch from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Kualoa Ranch is at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway. Cost is $20, $3 for a trolley ride, with proceeds benefiting Kualoa’s Big Brothers Big Sisters scholarship fund. Reservations required. Call 237-7321.

Kahala hosts keiki for festive tea party

Santa is inviting little girls and boys to a tea party at the Kahala Hotel & Resort from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15.

Tea with Santa, an annual holiday event at the hotel, features a child-friendly menu including grilled cheese, Nutella and banana bites, and fluffy nutters (peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches), along with smoked salmon-cucumber canapes and vegetable flatbread pizza.

Kids can also indulge in Linzer tarts, cream puffs and scones.

Santa will visit each table and a photographer will take digital photos to email to guests after the event.

Cost is $40 for adults, $30 for children ages 6 to 12. Call 739-8760 or email restaurants@kahalaresort.com for reservations.

Crafts go green for the holidays

Kids can use their creativity while embracing eco-friendly ways with holiday craft workshops.

Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden, 45-680 Luluku Road, will host a family craft activity from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1 that will use materials gathered from nature. Cost is $10 for a family of four; $2.50 for each additional family member. Reservations required. Call 233-7323.

Hawai‘i Nature Center, 2131 Makiki Heights Drive, holds its own event from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 9 that will use natural and recycled materials for seasonal crafts.

The Holiday Eco-Crafts workshop is suited for kids 3 and older and costs $10 per parent-child team. Call 955-0100, ext. 118, to reserve a spot.

Dinosaurs star in center event

Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center presents "A Dinosaur Christmas" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

Highlights include holiday games, milk and cookies, and crafts. The event coincides with the interactive "Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice" exhibit, which is on display through Dec. 16.

Cost is $16; $10 for members, which includes a pizza dinner. The deadline to register is Friday. The center is at 111 Ohe St. Call 524-5437.