The Buzz

Kalyn Miyasato, 8, of Pearl City, tries her hand at an interactive display at "The Robot Zoo," continuing at Bishop Museum.

A traveling exhibit titled "The Robot Zoo" has landed at Bishop Museum. Oversized animal robots — a rhinoceros, chameleon, platypus, bat, giant squid, housefly, tortoise, giraffe and grasshopper — and 16 hands-on activities help museum-goers understand the magic of the animal world. The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; "The Robot Zoo" will be on display through Sept. 3. Admission is $14.95 general, $11.95 children 4-12, free for kids 3 and younger. Kama'aina, military and senior discounts are available. 847-3511.

Events just for Dad

Mother's Day has come and gone; now it's time to celebrate dear old Dad on Father's Day, Sunday. We know: Every year you try to get him something unique, something maybe a little fanciful. And then you give up, break down and buy him that aloha shirt after all.

Father's Day fun begins Saturday:

• The annual Daddy/Baby Look-Alike Contest, a benefit for the March of Dimes, is open to babies up to 30 months old and their fathers. Registration is at 8:30 a.m., contest at 9:30 a.m., at the Ward Warehouse stage. Categories include Best Costumed Duo and Most Spirited Duo. $10 entry fee. 591-8411.
• "Celebrating Dads Fun Day," sponsored by the Hawai'i Coalition for Dads, offers entertainment, exhibits, games and prizes 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pearlridge Center. Entertainment includes various hula halau, clowns and magicians. Free. 841-2245.
• "Big Boy Challenge" offers games to test Dad's strength, courage and luck, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Kahala Mall, repeating 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Free. 732-7736.
• Feeling lucky? Take Dad to "Everyone Loves a Good Fishing Tale," a lure-making contest that tests speed and skill, noon-2 p.m. at Windward Mall. The grand prize is a $1,000 fishing excursion on the Maggie Joe. Don't let this event be the one that got away. Free. 235-1143.

Sunday's lineup includes:

• Get swinging at the "Father's Day Swing Dance," beginning at 6 p.m. in the second-floor Palladium of the Ala Wai Golf Course. Learn swing, hustle, Latin, even country. Tickets are $3 for members, $5 guests. 734-2914, 533-4125.
• Father's Day Tribute, featuring a brunch buffet and entertainment by Kapena and Augie T., takes place at the Dole Cannery Ballroom. Brunch will be served 10 a.m.-noon; $34.99 general, $17.50 for youths 3 to 12, free for keiki ages 2 and younger. Reservations required. 531-3127.
• "Big Boy Challenge," games to test Dad's strength, courage and luck, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Kahala Mall. Free. 732-7736.
• Those lucky enough to get tickets will be laughing at Frank DeLima's Father's Day shows — brunch and dinner — at Dot's in Wahiawa. They're sold out. 622-4115.

The reigning Miss Hawai'i Billie Takaki, pictured, will pass the crown to one of 10 women who are vying for the title during the scholarship pageant, 7:30 p.m. today at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Tickets are $35. Miss America Angela Perez Baraquio and Takaki will serve as co-hosts for the pageant, which also will be televised live on KFVE-Channel 5. 947-7936.

A jolly trolley day

You can enjoy free Island music and take free rides when Our Neighborhood Trolley, the familiar green trolley linking Kaimuki with Kapahulu and Waikiki, marks Family Fun Free Day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow. Entertaining aboard Trolley No. 1: Polena'ole (Kai Mai'i and Alika Kepa), 8-10 a.m.; Sam Kapu III & Friends (with brother Sonny Kapu), 10 a.m.-noon; Kawai Cockett, noon-2 p.m.; and Ernest Chang, Ellsworth Simeona and Dita Holifield, 2-4 p.m. On Trolley No. 2: performers 8-10 a.m. to be announced; Marsha Kalima-Kapu and Na Ho'okele, 10 a.m.-noon; Steve Mai'i Band, noon-2 p.m.; and Ainsley Halemanu Trio and Dancers, 2-4 p.m. Trolley No. 3 performers have not been announced. Merchants and restaurants in Kaimuki, Kapahulu and Waikiki are offering special deals with "Free Day" stamps. Information: 566-7466.

The incredible thing about master guitarists is the way they make it all look so easy. Now it's your chance to take a look and a listen at the Hawai'i Guitar Festival 2001, which brings Greek-born Antigoni Goni, considered one the best female guitarists of her generation; jazz guitar great Gene Bertoncini, above; 'ukulele master Lyle Ritz; and festival artistic director Byron Yasui, University of Hawai'i-Manoa music professor and accomplished composer and bassist, for concerts on O'ahu and Kaua'i.

The festival starts with a 7 p.m. concert Wednesday at Kaua'i Community College Theatre, featuring Goni, Bertoncini and Ritz. Tickets are $12 general, $10 students, seniors, KCC faculty and staff.

Next: Concerts at UH-Manoa's Orvis Auditorium feature Ritz and Yasui at 8 p.m. Thursday; Bertoncini and Yasui at 8 p.m. June 22; Goni at 8 p.m. June 23. Tickets to each Orvis concert is $15 general, $13 students, seniors, UH-Manoa faculty and staff, available at the UH Campus Center Ticket Office or charge by phone at 956-6878, www.outreach.hawaii.edu.