Recycling and art collide once again

Attention, budding nature artists.

Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden is once again holding its "Frogs and Garden Critters Recycled Materials Art Contest," with applications and contest rules available from the visitor center starting Friday.

The three-dimensional art creations must be made from recycled materials and can be submitted to one of five age categories, with prizes awarded for each one. The categories are ages 6 and under; 7 to 11; 12 to 17; 18 to 55; and over 55.

Deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Nov. 30. Entries will be on display at the Ho‘omaluhia Visitor Center from Dec. 7 to 31.

Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden is at 45-680 Luluku Road in Kaneohe and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call 233-7323 for more information.

Help get ‘Heroes’ into hands of keiki

It can be hard for a youngster to understand the heroic history of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team — whether it’s because the concept of war is difficult to grasp or a child is simply bored with listening to lectures or reading a textbook.

But the manga "Journey of Heroes," written by Stacey Hayashi and illustrated by Damon Wong, uses an engaging, modern format to tell the story of the nisei soldiers during World War II, and the exploits of the highly decorated 100th/442nd.

Now the 442nd RCT Foundation is asking for donations to help get these educational comic books into the hands of more children locally and on the mainland.

Donors also have the option of "adopting" a school for as little as $50 — which buys five books ($10 a book) for the school of the donor’s choice.

Donations of any amount are being accepted, but contributions of $1,000 or more will be matched by the 442 Comic Book LLC — totaling a donation of 200 books.

Donations are tax-deductible. To donate or for more information, email 442comicbook@gmail.com.

Day of Discovery offers fun activities

Want to make a water-powered bottle rocket, dissect a cow eye or learn the science behind making instant ice cream?

These are just a few experiences keiki can enjoy at the 12th annual Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery, to be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at Punahou School.

The free event is open to students grades 4 and above, parents and teachers of any grade level or subject; however, enrollment is already filled. The public is invited to view the interactive displays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Among the 17 activities are making bristlebot racers (materials include vibrating cellphone motors and toothbrush heads) and edible cars, and then racing them. There are also fun workshops that will help children understand electricity, color and light.

A full list of workshops is available at www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/Day-of-discovery.

The event is held in memory of Hawaii astronaut Charles Lacy Veach, a 1962 Punahou graduate who died of cancer in 1995.