Expect a big line at Ala Moana Center for the opening of Bath & Body Works on May 2, following media previews. It’s not yet reflected on the center’s online map, but B&BW will be on mall level 2 in the Macy’s wing.

Center officials are no strangers to highly anticipated openings or the crowds they draw, but they were not available yesterday to discuss crowd control planning.

With more than 1,600 locations around North America, the Ala Moana store will be B&BW’s first in Hawaii, but thousands of residents, if not tens of thousands, are already familiar with the company’s product line. B&BW products are among the de rigueur omi­yage Hawaii residents bring home from mainland trips (another popular source of Hawaii-bound omi­yage is Trader Joe’s).

Lowe’s is opening, too

Lowe’s will open its Iwilei store for the first time tomorrow at 5 a.m., but the official opening isn’t until at 8 a.m. April 28, when it will simultaneously stage a fundraiser.

All Lowe’s gift cards purchased at the new store on that day will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $5,000, and donated to Hono­lulu Habitat for Humanity. The store chain has been a national Habitat for Humanity partner since 2003. Its other Hawaii stores are in Wai­kele, Kailua-Kona and Kahu­lui.

Fun (and, shh, education) herein

A Maui-developed iPad application, or app, as the kids call ’em, will be available free on Friday, Earth Day. It normally costs $3.99, and to pique interest it will be demonstrated today at the state Capitol as part of Clean Energy Day.

The Clean Energy Hawaii STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) app allows users to see the types of clean energy available on each island and to build a virtual clean energy proj­ect.

"There will be several other exhibitors working on programs and proj­ects to move us toward (the state’s clean energy) goals, and we’re just happy to be one of them," said Leslie Wilkins, program director of the Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Division. The app is credited to both MEDB and Maui-based NSC Partners LLC.

"It is in the game section of the iTunes store, though it is not intended as a game," Wilkins said. "It’s not going to be the next hot game," so it’s no Angry Birds, "but we have a very strong platform … and the activities are very fun, within an educational context."

A kid could even, let’s say, use the app as part of a science proj­ect. "We’re trying to take advantage of Earth Day as a promotional opportunity for people to view it with a free download and hopefully enjoy it, give us feedback and post reviews" so developers can integrate the suggestions into future versions, Wilkins said.

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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Advertiser. Reach her by email at erika@staradvertiser.com.