HOLOHOLO
HOLOHOLO
New exhibit at Maui Ocean Center
By Chris Oliver
Maui Ocean Center's new Marine Mammal Discovery Center opens Aug. 15 with displays, movies and life-size models of monk seals, dolphins and whales found in Hawaiian waters. The exhibit, which replaces the Whale Discovery Center (under renovation) tells an in-depth story of Hawai'i's marine mammals in an educational and entertaining way. Visitors can check out the Monk Seal Panorama that captures life in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' habitat of monk seals and other native species, and interact with the Dolphin Playpod exhibit. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through August. (808) 270-7000, www.mauioceancenter.com.
SEA SCROLLS: Seattle's Pacific Science Center hosts "Discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls," Sept. 23 to Jan. 7. The exhibit will feature 10 of the scrolls, four of which have never been seen by the public. Also in the exhibition are artifacts from the ancient settlement of Qumran near the Dead Sea, plus interactive exhibits on the science behind the excavation, conservation and interpretation of the scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls are between 2,256 and 1,938 years old and include the earliest-known written texts of the Bible. (877) 377-1947, www.pacsci.org.
O.C. HAPPENINGS: Planning to visit Orange County, Calif.? Register for its online newsletter at anaheimoc.org/enews. You'll find vacation deals, a monthly calendar of events and features on SoCal from insiders who live there. In the July/August newsletter, read about Laguna Canyon's Sawdust Festival, the Big Bear Renaissance Faire, plus dining, golf, spa and beach events for all ages.
PACKAGE FOR TWO: Ka'anapali Beach Hotel's Maui Adventurer offers one activity for two. Choose from a horseback ride on a working cattle ranch, a bike ride down Haleakala, an ATV ride, a waterfall hike or a Molokini snorkel excursion, plus five nights in an ocean-view room, daily breakfast, rental car and admission to a dinner show. The Maui Adventurer is $1,879 for two, with additional nights at $295, including breakfast and car rental, through Dec. 24. Reservations: (800) 262-8450, www.kbhmaui .com. The Ka'anapali Beach Hotel's sister property in Lahaina, the Plantation Inn, offers an Island Gour-met package which includes three nights accommodations, one dinner for two, daily breakfast and car rental. Cost is $799. Reservations: (800) 433-6815, www.theplantationinn.com.
Reach Chris Oliver at coliver@honoluluadvertiser.com.
