Aquarium offers monk seal course

Ho‘ailona the Hawaiian monk seal has been making a big splash at the Waikiki Aquarium since his arrival last year. The aquarium is responding by offering a new course on monk seals this summer.

"He’s so interactive with the public that he’s brought a lot of attention to seals," said Mary Roney, who directs aquarium courses. The course, designed for audiences age 7 and up, will address questions like what seals eat, how long they hold their breath and more.

Ho‘ailona’s story plays like a Disney movie. He was abandoned as a pup four years ago and raised in captivity. But after being released off Molokai, he began interacting with people, so he was recaptured with the intention of relocating him farther away from civilization. "When they did that, they realized he had cataracts and couldn’t see very well," Roney said. Surgery is being considered for Ho‘ailona.

He is one of two monk seals at the aquarium — the other is Maka onaona — and the more gregarious one. "He’s very, very people-oriented," Roney said. "He still swims up to the window even though he has impaired vision, and he’s very playful."

The 45-minute courses are July 12, 19 and 26, at 3 p.m. Cost is $2 per person, plus admission to the aquarium. Registration is required. Forms are available at waquarium.org/community-programs.html.

Parenting pro to speak at expo

Dr. William Sears, author of more than 40 books on parenting, is headlining this year’s New Baby Expo May 19 and 20 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Sears will speak at 11:30 a.m. each day about his top nine health tips for raising smarter and healthier children.

The expo, featuring products and services including car seats, clothing, toys, strollers and children’s furniture from more than 150 companies, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Among the highlights are the annual baby crawling contest, which begins at 1 p.m. May 19, and "Hawaii’s Largest Baby Shower" with entertainment and prizes for more than 500 moms-to-be in the Pikake Room at 1 p.m. on May 20.

A children’s activity area, toddler play areas and appearances by the Lorax will be featured on both days. For more information, visit www.newbabyexpo.com.@Headline — bold1:Craftsmen join event at museum

Learn to sculpt, shape and carve with the Hawai‘i Craftsmen at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum’s Second Saturday event today.

Artists will be on hand to teach participants how to work with wood, plaster and clay.

Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free hands-on art activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (while supplies last).

Hawai‘i State Art Museum is at 250 S. Hotel St. Parking is available for free at the city’s underground lot at Beretania and Alapai streets or for a $3 flat fee at Alii Place (1099 Alakea St.). Visit www.hawaii. gov/sfca for more information.

Keiki Rodeo fun supports a good cause

Giddyap to the Keiki Rodeo at the Waimanalo Polo Field on May 19 and help out Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii. The fundraiser will help the riding center support its approximately 100 riders who derive health benefits from riding and working with horses.

"We work mostly with children to improve minds and bodies," said Dana Vennen, executive director of the facility. "What we do in this event is give our riders an opportunity to show off their riding skills and also an opportunity for the community to come visit our facility. … Some of our kids have disabilities, and some of them are kids from the neighborhood who like to have a nice place to learn about horses," Vennen said.

The Keiki Rodeo helps raise funds for Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii, which also offers programs for adults suffering from anxiety disorders. "Sometimes I’ll work with soldiers coming back from overseas," Vennen said.

The rodeo itself, however, will "highlight the kids," she said. "You have kids with a (disability), and they don’t play soccer, they don’t participate in piano recitals, they don’t have an opportunity where people recognize them and clap for them. A lot of the time, it’s the first time for them to say, ‘Hey, I ride a horse, and people are watching me do it.’"

Games, pony rides, face painting, food and other activities will be available.

The event is free to the public, but donations will be accepted. The polo field is on Kalanianaole Highway across from Bellows Air Force Base. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Call 342-9036 or visit thhwaimanalo.org for information.

Bone up bon dance skills at the library

Bon dance season is just around the corner, and now is as good time as any to get into the swing of things by learning a step or two from the best.

Break out the happi coats for May 19 classes at 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Hawaii State Library.

Performers from Hawaii Matsuri Taiko, Omiya Minbu Kai and Waipahu Soto Mission will lead students through warm-ups, then take them through some popular bon dance songs, including "Nippon Cha Cha Cha," "Zumpa Ondo," "Uta wa Furusato," "Giza Giza Haato no Koi Uta," "Hanabi Ondo," "Hana no Bon Odori," "Tanko Bushi" and "Beautiful Sunday."

This two-hour class is free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hawaii.

Call 586-3499.