The days are getting shorter, school bells have started ringing and the University of Hawaii football Warriors are back in training for their season opener. Is summer really almost over? If June and July were a blur, and August is slipping from your grasp, don’t despair. There’s still time to get out and do some of the things you promised yourself and your family you’d do this summer.
A wild time
Pack a picnic dinner and lawn chair for the final concert in the Honolulu Zoo’s “Wildest Show” summer series on Wednesday . The finale stars Hoku Award-winners Ho‘okena, comprising Manu Boyd, Horace Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glen Smith. Gates open at 4:35 p.m.; the music starts at 6. Admission is a $3 donation to the zoo’s conservation education program. You can also buy your food there, but don’t bring alcohol or high-back chairs. Call 971-7171 or visit honoluluzoo.org.
Lights out at aquarium
Find out if sea snails snooze or if yellow tang are still yellow at night on an “Aquarium After Dark” flashlight tour from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Minimum age is 5 years; youngsters must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $14 per adult, $10 per child.
On Aug. 26 it’s “Family Night: Meet the Molluscs” from 6 to 8:30 p.m., spotlighting snails, octopuses and squids. Octopus experts will be on hand to answer questions, and kids can play games, watch an octopus puppet show and join a scavenger hunt through the exhibits. In between activities, families can enjoy the warm summer evening and picnic on the lawn. The cost is $12 per person (age 2 and under free).
Registration is required for both events; discounts are available for Friends of Waikiki Aquarium members. Call 923-9741 or visit waquarium.org.
Thank your lucky stars
Cross off “hiking” and “stargazing” from your summer to-do list in one stroke with a nighttime trek this weekend hosted by the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club to watch the Perseid meteor shower from Kaiwa Ridge in Lanikai. It will be peak time for the annual occurrence, but a full moon means that instead of seeing as many as 100 meteors streak through the sky each hour, there will likely be no more than 20 or 30 visible per hour.
Even without the full effect, hikers can bask in the moonlight above the bunker overlooking the white sands of Lanikai. But beware of steep sections and drop-offs.
Meet at 6 p.m. Saturday across from Buzz’s Steak House for this 3-mile hike suitable for novices. A $3 donation is requested for nonmembers; children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Contact coordinator Carole Moon at ckmoon@htmclub.org or call 387-0044. For details, visit htmclub.org.
Come on, get hapi!
The Obon dance season — a time to commemorate family ancestors who are said to return to this world to visit relatives — is drawing to a close. The Buddhist tradition was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and has evolved into a lively social and cultural festival that welcomes believers and nonbelievers alike.
Join the celebration Friday and Saturday evening at Pearl City Hongwanji (7:30 p.m., call 455-1680), Soto Mission of Aiea Taiheiji (6:30 p.m., 488-6794) and Shingon Shu Hawaii on Sheridan Street (6:30 p.m., 941-5663); Aug. 19 and 20 at Mililani Hongwanji (7 p.m., 625-0925), Soto Mission of Hawaii-Shoboji in Nuuanu (7:30 p.m., 537-9409) and Jodo Mission of Hawaii in Makiki (7:30 p.m., 949-3995); and Aug. 27 at Nichiren Mission of Hawaii in Nuuanu (5:30 p.m., 595-3517) and Aiea Hongwanji (7 p.m., 487-2626).
On Maui, get in step to the beat of taiko drums at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission (661-0640).
On Hawaii island, Obon dances are scheduled for Saturday at Hamakua Jodo Mission (6:30 p.m., 775-7232) and Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission (7 p.m., 324-1741), Aug. 20 at Kamuela Hongwanji (6 p.m., 775-7232) and Hakalau Jodo Mission (8 p.m., 935-6996) and Aug. 27 at Honohina Hongwanji (6 p.m., 963-6032) and Puna Hongwanji Pahoa Shibu (7 p.m., 966-9981)
Water works
You’ve been training in the water all summer, so put yourself to the test at Saturday’s North Shore Surf N Sea Swim Series event. The 2.3-mile Jamba Juice North Shore Challenge — the last in the four-race series — is the longest and most prestigious of the swims. The course from Ehukai Beach Park to Waimea Bay is also the most scenic above and below water.
The race is open to everyone from keiki age 10 and under to elite ocean swimmers. Last year’s series averaged 625 entrants per event, so even if the dog paddle is your favorite stroke, it’s still quite a spectacle from shore.
Registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. race start. The entry fee is $35. Call 372-8885 or visit www.hawaiiswim.com.
Horse play allowed
Four Sundays remain in the Mokuleia polo season. Teams from Argentina and Hawaii are scheduled to play this weekend, followed by Wealth Strategy Partners vs. Army on Aug. 21, and India vs. Hawaii on both Aug. 28 and Sept. 4.
Enjoy live music after the games, featuring Velez Sez on Sunday, Brazil Roots (Aug. 21), Analog (Aug. 28) and Hoopla (Sept. 4).
Tailgating is encouraged.
Gates open at noon, with games starting around 2 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, $7 for military with ID; children are admitted at no charge. The polo field is at 68-411 Farrington Highway in Waialua. Call 637-7669.
A grand staycation
Didn’t have the time or money for an out-of-state vacation? Then spend a couple of days livin’ large at Waikiki’s grand dames: the Royal Hawaiian or Moana Surfrider. Kamaaina rates are $250 and $199 per night, respectively, with a 25 percent discount on resort dining, plus spa deals and late checkout, if available. (Ask for complimentary upgrade at the Royal.)
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Sheraton Waikiki is offering kamaaina rates starting at $180 and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani at $130, both with similar dining and spa discounts.
For reservations at the Royal or Sheraton Waikiki, call 922-4422; Moana Surfrider, 922-3111; and the PK, 922-5811. Callers must ask for KAMVIP to book these special rates, which are good through Dec. 25.
The Pacific Beach Hotel is offering a special two-night room package for its Natsu Matsuri, or Summer Festival, held outdoors Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Aug. 28, when families can enjoy traditional Japanese food, taiko drum performances, children’s games and an Obon dance. The cost is $139 per night, which includes Natsu Matsuri scrip books for food, drinks and children’s games and 50 percent off hotel parking.
Even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you can enjoy the festival for free from 5:30 to 9 p.m. each night.
For hotel reservations, call 921-6190 or visit www.pacificbeachhotel.com.
