Astronomy center open house makes learning a blast

If you’ve ever had questions about galaxies and stars, or your little ones have been asking you about the Milky Way, then head to the annual University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday in Manoa.

The open house will include activities for all ages, including "Ask an Astronomer" and the opportunity to observe sunspots through a telescope (if the weather and sun cooperate). Keiki can make a sundial, construct a comet, watch shows in the StarLab planetarium and launch bottle rockets.

Check out the moon base built by the Lego Enthusiasts Association of Hawaii.

The Institute is at 2680 Woodland Drive. Admission and parking are free. Visit www.ifa.hawaii.edu/open-house for up-to-date information.

Comics, Force will both be free

May 5 is national Free Comic Book Day, and Hawaii will be participating once again with public libraries and stores offering special free issues. Titles include "The Avengers" (this year’s big superhero movie opening next week), "DC Comics: The New 52," "Peanuts" and "Smurfs" titles, and "Under the Faerie Moon" from the co-writer of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Shrek."

As part of the festivities, Star Wars characters will be making appearances at select Oahu libraries:

» 501st Legion Pacific Outpost: 10 a.m. to noon at Aiea and Waimanalo and 2 to 4 p.m. at Kailua and Mililani

» Rebel Legion Hawai’i: 10 a.m. to noon at Kapolei and 2 to 4 p.m. at Liliha and McCully-Moiliili

» Oahu FanForce: 10 a.m. to noon at Aina Haina.

Other libraries participating in Free Comic Book Day are Hawaii Kai, Waianae and Waimanalo.

Comic book stores, of course, will be giving out free comic books as well.

Local venues participating are: Collector Maniacs, 3571 Waialae Ave.; Gecko Books & Comics, 1151 12th Ave.; Jelly’s the Original, 98-023 Hekaha St.; and Other Realms, Ward Warehouse.

For more information, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.

Celebrate Children’s Day

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i presents Kodomo no Hi: Keiki Fun Fest on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The festival, in honor of Children’s Day, features a cultural carnival and martial arts demonstrations. Mr. Waffle Dog, DragonFly, Oopu and Hello Kitty costumed characters are scheduled to make appearances. Screenings of "Okaasan to Issho," "Doraemon" and "Anpan Man" will be shown. Admission is free.

Kimono dressings by Masako Formals will also be available for $75 ($60 for JCCH members) and include use of kimono and accessories, plus a portrait sitting fee. Photo packages and hair and makeup services are not included in the fee. For portrait reservations, call Derrick Iwata at 945-7663, ext. 25.

The Japanese Cultural Center is at 2454 S. Beretania St.

Festival offers loads of keiki fun

PBS Kids host Mr. Steve (above) will keep the keiki dancing and entertained as he takes to the stage at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival on May 5 and 6 on the grounds of the Honolulu Civic Center.

Mr. Steve will be on stage three times each day and conduct meet-and-greets with the children.

More than two dozen performances, from musical acts to theatrical productions, will be held on the festival’s keiki stage from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The free Keiki Authors and Activities Pavilion will allow kids to meet with children’s authors and illustrators, take an ukulele lesson or meet costumed characters, including Lyle the Crocodile, Stellaluna and Curious George.

There will be a playground of bouncers and rides for a fee.

The festival has eight pavilions and stages featuring 150 events with more than 500 local, national and international presenters and performers, including Maxine Hong Kingston, Julia Flynn Siler, Janny Scott, Kaui Hart Hemmings, Nola Nahulu and the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, Dennis Kamakahi and Shari Lynn.

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.hawaiibookandmusicfestival.org or call 234-0404.