Serving Up Science Samplers

Explore our planet and beyond at the University of Hawaii’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology Open House Friday and Oct. 26.

This free biennial event gives children, parents and other community members the chance to learn about exciting subjects like volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, planetary exploration and marine ecosystems with the help of 85 hands-on activities, demonstrations and exhibits.

"When people come here they get a taste of everything that we do," said Marcie Grabowski, SOEST outreach coordinator.

"Through open house, we hope to share the excitement we have for science and possibly spark a similar excitement in a student that they didn’t have before."

One of the more visually stunning demonstrations is entitled "Explosive Eruptions," during which a liquid nitrogen-fueled eruption will shoot 20 gallons of water 10 meters into the air.

Another outdoor exhibit gives kids the chance to "Make-A-Quake" by hitting hammers on the ground. Participants will then get a seismograph recording of their "earthquake."

For future oceanographers or marine biologists, several exhibits focus on the water and even offer a chance to try on the gear and equipment that the pros use.

The "Rocks of Hawai‘i" exhibit will focus on volcanic bombs, Pele’s hair, pillow lava and more. Kids will have the opportunity to see and feel the variety of rocks formed by Hawaiian volcanoes.

Throughout the open house, keiki will get to meet real-life scientists.

"There are discoveries made here all the time, changing the way we understand the world," Grabowski said.

The last SOEST Open House, held in 2011, drew about 6,600 participants over its two days. This year, Grabowski said there are already 4,700 spots reserved through schools for the Friday session, and more schools are on a waitlist. The public is invited to attend Oct. 26.

"There is something for the 3-year-old and the high school student," Grabowski said. "Even adults find interesting things here."

In addition to the SOEST programs, exhibitors include other UH programs (engineering, physics and astronomy, marine option and Hawaiian knowledge), the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Aloha Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. For more information, visit www.soest.hawaii.edu/openhouse.Arts programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will share their creativity with the community at the third annual Ka Leo Arts Festival Thursday.

The free event starts at 3 p.m. and includes performances and displays from the art, athletic, fashion, theater and creative academic departments. About 70 different performances and displays, up from 40 last year, will be showcased, including demonstrations of pottery, glass-blowing, silkscreen-printing and other art forms, said Ka Leo spokeswoman Natalie France.

McCarthy Mall will stage many of these displays, but Kennedy Theatre facilities will also be used to screen short films from UH Productions’ annual Fall Film Challenge. Kennedy’s Ernst Lab Theatre will showcase short dramatic pieces performed by the theater department from 3 to 6 p.m., which will be followed by this season’s play, "The Wild Party," at 8 p.m.

Former "American Idol" contestant Camile Velasco will perform briefly at about 5:30 p.m. on a stage at Hamilton Square. The stage will also feature appearances by UH athletes, cheerleaders and the drum line, as well as serve as the runway for a show featuring the work of fashion school students. KTUH DJs will provide entertainment.

Velasco will perform again at the arts garden set up in Manoa Gardens in Hemenway Hall. The garden will feature musicians and KTUH DJs until 10 p.m.

The festival is held in celebration of homecoming, which will be punctuated Oct. 26 when the Rainbow Warriors play Colorado State at Aloha Stadium.

The festival attracted about 4,000 people last year, and France said organizers are expecting almost double that this year.

For more information, visit www.kaleo.org/artsfestival. — Stefanie Nakasone, Star-Advertiser 

Enjoy Halloween fun with a nature 

Sea Life Park will be decorated for Halloween and welcoming "ghouls and buoys" of all ages to arrive in costume from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

Families can enjoy arts-and-crafts booths where keiki can make an animal mask or felt sea life creatures. There will also be a pumpkin relay race, scavenger hunt and keiki costume contest.

At the "Creepy Crawly Investigation Station," kids can check out live invertebrates. Marine mammal trainers in costume will pose for pictures and kids can trick or treat in the park.

Costumed keiki will also receive Sea Life Park VIP cards.

Admission is $3 (regular $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children ages 3 to 11) for everyone in costume, including adults, between 2 and 5 p.m. Sea Life Park is at 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo. Call 259-2500 or visit sealife­park­hawaii.com. — Steven Mark, Star-Advertiser

Enjoy Halloween fun with a nature twist

Sea Life Park will be decorated for Halloween and welcoming “ghouls and buoys” of all ages to arrive in costume from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

Families can enjoy arts-and-crafts booths where keiki can make an animal mask or felt sea life creatures. There will also be a pumpkin relay race, scavenger hunt and keiki costume contest. 

At the “Creepy Crawly Investigation Station,” kids can check out live invertebrates. Marine mammal trainers in costume will pose for pictures and kids can trick or treat in the park. 

Costumed keiki will also receive Sea Life Park VIP cards.

Admission is $3 (regular $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children ages 3 to 11) for everyone in costume, including adults, between 2 and 5 p.m. Sea Life Park is at 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo. Call 259-2500 or visit sealife­park­hawaii.com. — Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser