Ira Ono, who hails from Brooklyn, reinvented himself as an Islander and made a career as an artist on Maui. Now in Volcano, on the Big Island, he has reinvented yet again. During a visit to his Volcano Garden Arts Center a few weeks ago, I was stunned at how much he has done to the vintage house that contains his art gallery and was allured by the smells from the Cafe Ono kitchen, despite the fact that my friends and I had just eaten at Kílauea Lodge. We were so full we couldn't eat anything, but the scents floating out from the porchside restaurant had me salivating.

Volcano Garden Arts engages the eyes, the ears, the hands and the taste buds: You see artwork, you smell (and maybe eat) great food, you pet the goat (yes, there is a goat in the backyard), you walk in the gardens. You can even stay there, in the gorgeous Volcano Artist Cottage (one bedroom, kitchenette, amazing bathroom, wireless Internet access; $129 a night but ask about specials). If you're driving over the mountain, you can call ahead to have picnic lunch made for you. Prices are quite reasonable (lunches for $8 to $15). Ono calls it "a destination for the senses" and it definitely is.

— Wanda A. Adams

NEW YORK CITY

MOMA'S PICASSO EXHIBIT EVEN BETTER WITH VIP HOTEL PACKAGE

At the Museum of Modern Art this summer, "Picasso: Themes and Variations" presents the artist's work from from the blue period to the rose period, cubism to surrealism through Sept. 30. The Buckingham Hotel's VIP Picasso MoMA package includes two VIP tickets to the exhibition with passes to skip the lines.

MoMA is a seven-minute walk from the hotel. Rates start at $279 per night, through Aug. 30 with a minimum two-night stay. 888-511-1900, www.buckinghamhotel.com.

BIG ISLAND

KIDS WILL EXPLORE SCIENCE AT ASTRONOMY CENTER SUMMER CAMP

How does sound travel, exactly? Imiloa Astronomy Center's summer science camps for grades 3-6 will help students explore the phenomena this summer using the marimba, a percussion instrument.

As part of the four-day activities students will explore making music, assemble a working automobile engine, explore the stars, and design and execute a building project. The first day's theme, "Sound," will be introduced by a local marimba ensemble. Students will examine how sound travels using tuning forks, corrugated sound tubes and boomwhackers. Days will have different topics but will always conclude with making music on the marimba.

Imiloa will offer two identical programs, one for girls and one for boys. 8 a.m. to noon at Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Girls' camp is June 1-4 and boys' June 8-11. $110 for non-members and $100 for Imiloa members. www.imiloahawaii.org. 808-969-9729.

— Advertiser staff