Web Wonders
Get your spidey senses tingling for "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" by giving a call to the Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences department at the University of Hawaii and arranging a visit to its Insect Museum.
Specimens of more than 200 types of spiders are housed in the UH collection in Gilmore Hall, which dates back more than 100 years. You can see how the filmed version of Spider-Man’s power compares with the real deal, such as how the strength of a strand of spider silk is stronger than steel of the same diameter.
Or you can learn about Myrmarachne nigella, a spider from Southeast Asia whose main power is deception it mimics ants. "Spiders have eight legs, insects have six," said Daniel Rubinoff, an entomologist and director of the museum. "So it uses the front two legs (to) pretend like they’re antennae to fool predators into thinking it’s an ant. Some things don’t want to attack an ant because ants have lots of friends."
Another notable spider, Doryonychus raptor, is endemic to Kauai and was first identified more than 20 years ago. "It hangs from a web and spears insects as they fly by," Rubinoff said, "That was probably the most exciting spider discovery ever."
But it seems appropriate that the spider most closely identified with Hawaii it’s become a symbol for the museum is Theridion grallator, also known as the "Happy Face" spider. It’s a tiny thing, but look closely and you’ll see markings that look like eyes and a smiling mouth. "It’s supposed to be some kind of camouflage, but we think it looks like a happy face," Rubinoff said.
Speaking of spiders and the movies, there’s also the Orsonwelles genus of spider, named for the famous auteur. It had a different name until a scientist noticed that the ones in Hawaii were "really big and kind of rotund,"said Paul Krushelnycky, a colleague of Rubinoff at UH. "When you go to forests, it’s easy to see because it makes these big chute webs that are under trees. And there’s another group of spiders that are klepto-parasites. They evolved to just hang out in that web and steal food out of it."
There are 128 endemic species of spiders in Hawaii, and more than 100 have been introduced. UH researchers are discovering new insect species constantly on the islands, but chances are, that creepy household spider is one they’ve seen before.
"You have to go up to remote areas, in the mountains," said Krushelnycky, who is doing research in the Waianae range.
And the "Spider-Man" spider? The museum has an example of the kind of spider that bit Peter Parker in the original "Spider-Man"movie, although it was painted blue and red for the movie. "It’s a common species in California, so they probably just went out and caught one," Rubinoff said.
The museum hosts school groups or other visitor groups upon request. Middle-school age and above is recommended for visits, but for younger children the museum will send someone to the school to give a demonstration.
For information on visits and tours, call 956-9432 or visit www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ insectmuseum.
Steven Mark, Star-Advertiser
Treat furry friends to fun, free event
A dog derby race, tail wagging contest and Zen Tent are all part of Canine Game Day, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Neal S. Blaisdell Park in Aiea.
The free event, sponsored by the Hawaiian Humane Society, will include an obstacle and agility course, best-trick contest and costume parade for people and pets.
After a day of fetch and fun, dogs can get massages in the Zen Tent or cool down in a portable pool.
If you don’t have a four-legged friend yet, dogs will be up for adoption.
Call 356-2225 or visit www.hawaiianhumane.org/caninegameday.
Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
Red Cross marks 50 years of summer swim lessons
About 15,000 people have learned to swim in the 50 years since the Hawaii Red Cross began offering free lessons each summer at Ala Moana Beach Park.
Registration for this year’s program begins Thursday.
“Sometimes people think that they don’t need to know how to swim because they don’t go near the water,” said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of Red Cross. “But sometimes the water comes to you. For example, you can get caught in a flash flood or a tsunami, your airplane could crash in the water or a dam or levee could break.”
Hawaii has the second-highest drowning rate in the nation — an average of 67 deaths each year, according to 2013 state Department of Health statistics.
The Red Cross’ summer swimming program, for children and adults, runs 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, June 7-28. Keiki ages 3 and 4 are accompanied by a parent for aquatic classes. Children 5 to 12 years old are split into two classes: Level one is introductory, while level two focuses on fundamental aquatic skills. Adult sessions, open to ages 13 and older, are for nonswimmers and folks of varying skill levels.
To register visit redcross.org/takeaclass or call 800-733-2767. Donors cover the cost of the course, which is valued at $40. For free registration, enter the coupon code P298HILTS0714. Enrollment is limited.
Nancy Arcayna, Star-Advertiser
