Explore German take on Asia and Pacific

Asia and the Pacific have long figured in the German cultural imagination. This is thanks to a tradition of literary, linguistic and philosophical interest in Asia and ancient wisdom, as well as Germany’s colonization of the Pacific in the 19th century.

A free two-day conference at the University of Hawaii at Manoa on Friday and Saturday will explore Germany’s engagement with Asia and the Pacific in matters of trave and trade, colonies and missions, race and politics, as well as philosophy, literature, cinema and art.

James Bade, professor of German at Auckland University, will provide Friday’s keynote address on "The German Connection with the Pacific, 1843-1918: Samoa, New Zealand and Tonga." Saturday’s keynote address will feature history scholar Douglas McGetchin of Florida Atlantic University on "The Specter Haunting German Orientalism: Edward Said’s Influence on the Study of Germans, India and the British Empire." Both talks start at 9:30 a.m.

The conference, which is open to the public, will be held at the Center for Korean Studies. For a complete program, visit goo.gl/ 1v3H2L.

Koi show to feature fine fish, family fun

The Waikiki Aquarium will host Hawaii’s largest koi show when the International Aloha Koi Show runs Saturday and Sunday, featuring hundreds of top-quality koi for purchase and display.

Aquarium Director Andrew Rossiter said the annual event has become one of the top koi shows in the U.S. because of the knowledgeable judges and guest experts. The fish, also called "nishikigoi," are judged on size, symmetry, pattern and color. "A desirable koi is large and symmetrical, with clear and distinct patterns, uniform colors and an overall healthy appearance," he said in a news release.

The show, which includes educational seminars, Japanese koto music and keiki activities, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition is included with Waikiki Aquarium admission of $12 for nonresidents; $8 for Hawaii residents and active-duty military; $5 for children ages 4-12, seniors ages 65 and older, and persons with disabilities; and free for children ages 3 and under.

Cartoon cat exhibit set for U.S. premiere

Doraemon, the time-traveling cat made famous in Japanese manga and anime, is taking up temporary residence at Bishop Museum, with opening day festivities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The museum is hosting the U.S. premiere of the "Meet! Doraemon: Japan’s Time-Traveling Cat" exhibit through April 20. The character, a blue time-traveling robotic cat from the future, was created by Fujiko Fujio. Large statuelike images of Doraemon characters will be displayed inside the Castle Memorial Building and on the lawn, with interactive stations and re-creations of scenes from the Doraemon story, such as the magical "Anywhere Door" and his pal Nobita’s room. Video clips from Doraemon movies will be shown, and an art gallery will showcase Fujio’s original artwork.

Saturday’s activities include taiko drumming, cosplay contests, face painting, crafts such as the making of a Doraemon bell collar and a "History of Manga in Japan" lecture by Jayson Chun in Paki Conference Room II.

Museum admission is $14.95 to $19.95 for nonresidents and $8.95 to $12.95 for Hawaii residents and military, with discounts for their guests. Admission is free for children age 3 and under. A $2 discount is offered to cosplayers. For details, visit www.bishopmuseum.org.