Chihuahua travelogue takes in Maui’s sights

Travel, culture, history and foreign language are elements included in Lisa Manzione’s book series, "The Adventures of Bella & Harry." The 12th installment in the series has the main characters, two Chihuahua pups, traveling to the islands in "Let’s Visit Maui!" ($16.95, Bella & Harry).

Other books had the small dogs visiting Istanbul, Rome, Athens, London, Cairo and Barcelona.

On Maui the dogs visit a dormant volcano, take hula lessons and attend a luau. Manzione offers tidbits of information on Haleakala, black-sand beaches, lava tubes and other aspects of Hawaii life. Harry even gets in trouble for chasing the nene geese.

Bella and Harry include a trip to the Big Island, where they take a helicopter tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The story includes a few Hawaiian words and phrases. Families can visit www.bellaandharry.com to play interactive games and print coloring pages.

The book is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Nancy Arcayna, Star-Advertiser

Sports fest offers activities for young athletes

Get ready for the ESPN 1420 Sports Festival, celebrating Hawaii’s diverse sports scene, June 28 at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., keiki can participate in free sports activities, clinics and demonstrations.

There will be a BMX cycling zone and opportunities to try out baseball, tennis, basketball, golf, volleyball and rock climbing.

New this year are a kendama tournament, appearances by anime cat Doraemon and a darts exhibition. There also will be boxing and martial arts exhibitions and more than 80 vendors.

Scheduled to make appearances are University of Hawaii basketball coach Gib Arnold, former UH basketball stars Christian Standhardinger, Miah Ostrowski and Alika Smith; mixed martial arts star Max Holloway; and "Hawaii Five-0" star Teilor Grubbs (who plays Danno’s daughter, Grace Williams).

Admission to the festival is free. Visit www.espn1420sportsfestival.com.

Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser