Back to nature

Families have an opportunity to connect with nature and gain a deeper appreciation for the environment by attending programs offered annually through the Hawaii Nature Center. This season’s schedule of classes includes craft opportunities for children and guided hikes for explorers of different fitness levels.

Each session costs $10. Call 955-0100, ext. 118; reservations required. The center is at 2131 Makiki Heights Drive.

» Terrific Terrariums, designed for ages 3 and up, takes families into the forest to explore the flora and fauna. After the tour, participants create their own terrariums to take home (bring a clear 1-gallon container or jar; glass or plastic is fine). The program will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

» Kaena Point Natural Reserve with Ken Suzuki: On March 2, Suzuki leads families on a moderate, 5-mile hike from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Families learn about native plants, sea birds and Hawaiian history as they explore the Wai­anae coastline. The program is designed for ages 7 and up.

» Bamboo Treasures: Explore the many uses of bamboo from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 10. Participants hike through a giant grass jungle, search for bamboo and make a bamboo craft. This program is for 3- to 5-year-olds and their families.

» Pohala March Wetland Adventure, 2 to 4 p.m. March 23. Learn about rare birds and explore their habitat. For ages 6 and up.

» Manoa Cliff Trail Hike with Mark Merlin, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 6. Merlin’s book, "Hawaiian Forest Plants," will be available for purchase before the moderate, 3-mile hike. For adults only.

» Wearable Art from Nature: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 14. Bring a white or light-colored T-shirt for leaf printing. For ages 5 and up.

» Incredible Insects, Bugs and Spiders: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 28. Learn about the insects, bugs and spiders of Makiki Valley. Designed for 3- to 5-year-olds.

» Kahuku Coast Hike with Ken Suzuki: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4. The majority of walking takes place on the beach on this moderate, physically challenging, 4-mile hike. For ages 7 and up.

» Tour de Tantalus Hike with Ken Suzuki: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18. The big loop trail begins at the Hawaii Nature Center and circles around Mau­na­laha, Moleka, Manoa Cliffs, Kala­wa­hine, Nahu­ina and Kane­alole trails on a challenging, 8.5-mile hike. Participants must be in good physical condition. For adults only.

» Secrets of Flowers: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 19. Become a budding botanist for the day. For 3- to 5-year-olds.

» Waianae-Kaala Trail Hike with Ken Suzuki: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 15. This challenging 6-mile hike includes narrow trails and steep cliffs. For safety reasons, all hikers will be pre-screened. Only for adult hikers in excellent physical condition.

» Something Fishy: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 23. Explore the stream, go fishing with poles and create tulip seed pod boats. For 3- to 6-year-olds.

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Star-Advertiser staff

‘Musubi Man’ is ready to run again

Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s latest revival of "Musubi Man" offers this year’s crop of preschoolers a fast-moving introduction to literature and live theater.

HTY company actors Nina Buck and Jordan Savusa provide the voices and animate the characters in this localized retelling of the story of the fleet-footed gingerbread man who runs away from the old woman who baked him.

In Hawaii author Sandy Taka­yama’s version, it’s a musubi who makes a run for it with a little old woman, a little old man, a dog, a mynah bird and a mongoose in pursuit.

Folks familiar with the original version of the story know that the gingerbread man is eventually outsmarted by a cunning fox who enjoys a delicious meal. Some might see the original story as a cautionary tale about the dangers of running away from home, but there is no fox in HTY’s kinder and gentler version of the story.

Instead, after escaping from a dog, a mynah bird and a snail, the musubi becomes a good-luck mascot for a surfer and rides the waves with him.

Parents can enhance their child’s experience by downloading a free eight-page study guide that includes the original poem at www.hty­web.org.

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John Berger

Symposium points girls toward scientific fun

Learn how to create a commercial, virtually explore an underwater shipwreck or practice suturing like a surgeon, using real medical instruments, at the Sacred Hearts Academy Science Symposium for Girls on March 2.

The program, which runs from 8 to 11:30 a.m., consists of 18 hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops facilitated by professionals including a wildlife botanist, maritime archaeologist and nutrition educator.

Students may choose two workshops. Among the sessions offered are "Be a CSI in Training" (exploring DNA), "Ice Cream Chemistry," "Get Moving with Physical Therapy and Sports," "Fighting Extinction" (how scientists monitor and measure endangered species) and "Write! Create! Animate! Digitally."

The program is open to girls in grades 5 to 8 and their parents, who will attend a presentation by clinical psychologist Dr. Julie T. Anné. Admission is free.

Sacred Hearts Academy is at 3253 Wai­alae Ave. Visit www.sacredhearts.org or call 734-5058, ext. 262, to register.

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Star-Advertiser staff