Big Isle science camps let teens get hands-on
Encourage your teen to put down the video game controller this summer and instead get out and explore while learning about science as part of a new camp on the Big Island.
The Science Camps of America — geared toward local teens entering grades 9 through 12 — will focus on a combination of outdoor field trips, lab exercises and multimedia resources to teach students about science.
"One day we might be examining lava flows, the next we might be helping reforest former ranch land, the next we might be stargazing from Mauna Kea," said Floyd McCoy, a professor of geology and oceanography at Windward Community College and director of education for the camp.
"Being in the field, accompanied by science teachers and scientists, campers will not only absorb a tremendous amount of knowledge, they will also have an idea of what it’s like to be a scientist," he said.
Founder Michael Richards, a local software entrepreneur, was inspired to launch the camp after seeing how the Internet and social media dominated his grandchildren’s lives. At the same time, one of nature’s greatest laboratories is right in our backyard, he said.
The camp’s home base is at the Pahala Plantation Cottages in Kau, where campers will learn about Hawaiian history and Polynesian voyaging.
The first camp session — Land & Sea — will take place from June 22 to July 1. It will give campers the opportunity to examine Kilauea as well as marine life at the beaches, on reefs and in the ocean.
The second session — Air & Space — takes place from July 1 to 10 and will cover topics like the atmosphere, weather systems, climate change and innovative technology through visits to Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
Registration fee for each 10-day session is $2,395, including meals and transportation to and from Kona or Hilo airport ($375 deposit required). Scholarships are available, based on financial need.
Campers must be in good physical condition and able to hike five miles. Visit sciencecampsofamerica.com for more information. — Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
Aquarium offers fun, learning for all ages
Waikiki Aquarium draws attention to Hawaii’s ocean resources and the need for conservation during World Oceans Day from 9 a.m. to noon June 8.
Watch an ocean-themed Dr. Seuss film in the theater, learn about storm water management and catch an 11 a.m. musical performance of "Honu by the Sea" by Johnson Entertainment.
Other stations will teach visitors about shark tagging and water-quality testing from the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System. Local artist Jeanne Wokasch will teach guests how to recycle plastic flotation devices into beach bags.
Activities at the aquarium extend through the month with "Afternoons at the Aquarium," an interactive activity on the lawn at 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Keiki ages 4 to 8 can enjoy stories by the sea, critter encounters and creative movement sessions.
The aquarium also hosts three days of the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival with showings of "What Makes a Fish a Fish?" on June 12, "Dive into Diversity" on June 19 and "Who Lives in the Sea?" on June 26.
Activities are included with aquarium admission ($6 for local residents, military, students and seniors; $4 ages 13 to 17; $2 ages 5 to 12). Call 923-9741 or visit www.waquarium.org. — Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
The sweet life
Check out life on the farm, modern Hawaii style, at the Sweet Onion Festival the first two weekends of June.
The festival will offer visitors the opportunity to harvest their own corn, onions and melons. There will also be cooking demonstrations and contests, keiki rides, food booths featuring local produce, sustainability demonstrations and free hay rides.
"We’ll basically be transforming our pumpkin patch site into an old plantation village … with facades that look like old plantation homes," said Michael Moefu of Aloun Farms. "We’ll have farmer’s markets from farms islandwide."
If all goes well, sponsors Aloun Farms, Meadow Gold and D.R. Horton hope the onion festival will become an annual event.
The event is aimed at highlighting Ewa sweet onions — as opposed to better-known Maui sweet onions — and to celebrate Aloun Farm’s 35 years of business in Hawaii, he said.
Also appearing over the course of the festival will be groups like the Mana‘o Company, Nesian N.I.N.E., Everyday Aloha, Jasmin Nicole, Annette Oasay and others.
The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Sunday, and June 8 and 9. Admission is $2, with children 3 and younger free. Aloun Farm’s pumpkin patch is on the old Farrington Highway between Kapolei and Waipahu. Visit www.alounfarms.com for information. — Steven Mark, Star-Advertiser
Full day of festivities honors Kamehameha
The 97th annual King Kamehameha Floral Parade June 8 will once again honor the king who united the Hawaiian islands with an array of flowers and festivities.
The parade starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of King and Richards streets and ends at Kapiolani Park.
Expect to see marchers, decorated vehicles, elaborate floats adorned with flowers, elegant pa‘u riders and marching bands.
A ho‘olaule‘a offering crafts vendors, food and entertainment follows the parade from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the downtown Honolulu area.
Kawaiaha‘o Church on Punchbowl Street will offer Hawaiian plates for sale and host craft vendors and entertainment.
The ‘Iolani Palace grounds will be the site of more than 20 cultural demonstrations and exhibits, a keiki fun tent, food booths and entertainment. Free tours of the palace will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free trolleys will take people between Waikiki (stops are the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Duke Kahanamoku statue and Kapiolani Park) and downtown (drop-off is the YWCA, 1040 Richards St.) from noon to 4 p.m.
Free parking will be available at the Kalanimoku building (1151 Punchbowl St.) and Department of Health (1250 Punchbowl St.) parking lots.
For more information, go to ags.hawaii.gov/kamehameha or email kkcc@hawaii.gov. — Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
