Dinosaur exhibit starts today

Just when you get excited about dinosaurs returning, it turns out they never left.

See that mynah over there? Dinosaur. That Java finch? Dinosaur. That clubfooted park pigeon? Dinosaur, but you probably suspected that one already.

Recent paleontological excavations, primarily in China, have uncovered evidence that dinosaurs, the "terrible lizards," were likely covered in feathers or down — more evidence that dinosaurs evolved into what we now call birds.

See for yourself at Bishop Museum’s latest prehistoric extravaganza, "Dinosaurs Unearthed: Feathered Discoveries," opening today and running until Sept. 5.

It’s billed as "a multisensory, interactive exhibit," which generally means full-size robo-dinos stomping and roaring and delighting the kids. This one even includes a 55-foot Apatosaurus, the sauropod mistakenly dubbed Brontosaurus and which also had the indignity of having the wrong skull attached to its skeleton for a century or so. It’s the largest of more than a dozen animatronic dinosaurs in the exhibit, some of which might look familiar, having starred in Bishop Museum’s 2009 dinosaur show.

Bishop Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. Admission is $17.95, with discounts for youth, seniors, Hawaii residents and military, and free for members. For information, visit www.bishopmuseum.org or call 847-3511.

Big puppets populate fairy tale

Blossom, a stubborn fairy, has one night to learn about the important lessons that will earn her wings. The Hawaii Theatre Center presents "Wishes & Wings: A Musical Quest from the Mountains to the Sea." The musical fairy tale uses oversize puppets created by storyteller Jeff Gere to portray creatures from the earth, sea and sky, including a wise old owl, a Hawaiian monk seal, a turtle and a happy-face spider.

The 50-minute production is geared toward children from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade. Performances will be held at the Hawaii Theatre next Saturday at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 13. Cost is $10; $7 for students, military seniors and Hawaii Theatre Center members; $5 for children ages 4 to 12. Call 528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com.

Spring Fling features egg hunt

Families can celebrate spring April 23 at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center.

Spring Fling kicks off with an egg hunt at 9 a.m. in the exhibit galleries. Cookie decorating, games and make-and-take crafts are among the event highlights.

Cost is $12, $8 for members, which includes museum admission. The registration deadline is April 15 with forms available at www.discoverycenterhawaii.org. Call 524-5437 or e-mail info@discoverycenterhawaii.org for more information.

Kids can learn animal welfare

Students in middle and high school who are interested in animals can spend the summer learning about animal welfare at the Hawaiian Humane Society.

"Teens 4 Animals Summer Experience" is a daily, six-week program in which students will receive hands-on experience with animal handling, training, care, protection, advocacy and more. There will be two sessions: from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 6 to July 15, and 1:30 to 5 p.m. June 13 to July 22. The program costs $95. Scholarships are available.

Hourlong preview classes will be held next Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Humane Society classroom, located at 2700 Waialae Ave. The preview class will include a program overview, animal training demonstration and opportunity for early registration. Reservations are required.

For more information, call 356-2202 or e-mail bosaki@hawaiianhumane.org.