Celebrate Earth Day at zoo, aquarium
Learn how to make a positive, global impact by modifying things done on a daily basis at the Party for the Planet, an Earth Day celebration, happening at the Honolulu Zoo on April 21.
The party will include crafts and games for keiki from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizations from across Oahu will share their expertise on living a greener lifestyle.
Free with zoo admission. Call 971-7171 or 926-3191.
Also, the Waikiki Aquarium is hosting an Earth Day celebration with a local twist.
On April 14, Mauka to Makai will fill the lawn area of the aquarium with games and educational exhibits with an emphasis on protecting Hawaii’s environment and water resources. The event, presented by the City and County of Honolulu and state Department of Health, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free with admission to the aquarium.
For more information, call 923-9741 or visit www.waquarium.org.
Animation takes spotlight
“The Art of Animation — What’s the Story” will be the theme of this month’s free Second Saturday event at the Hawaii State Art Museum on April 14.
Students from the University of Hawaii’s Academy of Creative Media will help participants explore the origins of animated storytelling by creating animated flip books, working in Claymation and crafting carnival-themed paper puppets. Participants’ artistic endeavors will come to life on the big screen using special software.
Artist Kloe Kang will share how she combines traditional techniques with digital technology in her artwork.
Activities will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; galleries open at 10 a.m. The Hawaii State Art Museum is at 250 S. Hotel St. Admission is free. Call 586-9958.
Autistic kids get to see ‘Lorax’
April is Autism Awareness Month, and families with autistic members can enjoy a free screening of “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Ward Stadium theaters. Doors open at 9 a.m.
This is the first locally shown “sensory friendly” film shown to accommodate the needs of children with autism. The lights are raised slightly and sounds are a bit softer. Quirky behaviors will be accepted at the screening, and gluten-free/casein-free snacks are allowed.
Reservations are required. Interested families should email Jessica Wong-Sumida at autismhi@gmail.com to reserve a spot. For information on upcoming events and other topics, visit autismhi.org.
Dream car finalists move on
Fifteen finalists won $150 and will advance to the international competition in Toyota Hawaii’s Dream Car Art Contest, in which students were asked to draw their fantasy car.
If the students are selected as finalists in the next round, they will receive a trip to Japan in August for judging.
Among the winning creations are a car that runs on solar power and trash and is controlled by the driver’s brain, and a car that runs on seawater and travels through the ocean.
The judging panel included the Department of Education; Evan Tottori, Art in Public Places artist in residence; Vince Hazen, director of the Academy Art Center at Linekona; Olena Heu of KHON2; and Glenn Inouye of Toyota Hawaii.
Celebrate canoeing and its traditions
Explore the ancient traditions of canoeing at the third annual Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Canoe Festival April 14 at Kualoa Regional Park.
Visitors can watch a master builder repair a canoe, explore a variety of sailing vessels or take a ride in a canoe, courtesy of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and charter schools Halau Ku Mana and the Hakipu‘u Learning Center.
The Hokule‘a and Kama Uheheu, and the educational voyaging canoe Kanehunamoku, will be moored in Kualoa Regional Park’s bay.
Iris Fukunaga, the park’s camp specialist, said activities will include knot-tying, line-throwing, demonstrating how to navigate using the stars as a compass and making paper kites. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Campground A at the park, 49-479 Kamehameha Highway. Admission is free, and food will be available on site for purchase. Call 237-8525.
