Celebrate monk seal in Waikiki

The Waikiki Aquarium hosts a monk seal event today from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today to help raise awareness about the plight of the endangered mammals.

The first 200 keiki through the gate will receive a limited-edition plush monk seal after participating in a "name the seal" contest. The winner wins an annual family pass to the aquarium, along with books and artwork from artist Patrick Ching.

Besides the usual twice-daily feedings of the aquarium’s resident monk seals, there will be a button-making booth, along with monk seal hats, and tattoos.

The aquarium is partnering with Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument for the event. Normal admission fees apply ($9 for general admission, $6 for kamaaina, $4 for youth 13 to 17, $2 for youth ages 5 to 12, free for children ages 4 and under).

Discovery Fair still fun for whole family

The Leeward Discovery Fair (formerly Family Fun Fair) is set to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Pearl City campus.

Besides a local market, food and entertainment, there will be plenty of creative, hands-on learning activities. Kids can learn how liquids turn into solids by creating their own polymer worms, freeze a flower or shrink a balloon with liquid nitrogen, and build structures and bridges out of food.

The fair also teams up with Aloha Aina Earth Day to provide a one-stop recycling center for everything from beverage containers to plastic bags, cell phones, tires, batteries, phone books, green waste and electronics. Admission is free.

Visit www.leeward.hawaii.edu/leewarddiscoveryfair.

Kids can win $100 in ornament contest

Kids, help us trim our pages with the holiday spirit. It’s time for our annual Keiki Kalikimaka drawing contest. Design an ornament and you’ll have a chance at our prize of $100 cash. We’ll select a daily finalist, to be printed on Page 1 of the section beginning Nov. 26. On Christmas we’ll run all 29 finalists and announce the winner.

The contest is open to kids up to age 12. All entries must be between 5 and 8 inches wide. No 3-D entries (don’t glue on any objects). We must receive your drawing in the mail — no faxes or e-mails. Ornaments cannot be returned. Attach the entry form below. The last day to enter is Dec. 20.

Blow your own glass ornament

Want to create your own Christmas ornaments? Here’s your opportunity.

This month, Island Glassworks of Kailua will offer a special, one-hour Christmas Ornament Workshop.

Students learn the basics of shop safety, along with an introduction to the tools and techniques of furnace work, and will make their own Christmas ornament.

Cost is $25 per student, with four to eight students per hour on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Kids as young as 8 years old can participate, with parental supervision.

Call 263-4527 or e-mail info@islandglassworks.com for more information.