What is HOT in Honolulu, By Heather Davis

Honolulu has it all. Hawaii state capital offers all of the shopping, dining, and excitement of a quintessential American city, yet surrounds visitors with the natural wonder, legendary spirit, and fascinating culture that tropical paradises are made of. Although Hawaii tourism industry has taken some hard knocks in the past few years, 2004 is proving to be a year of major comeback. With its #1 industry back on track, there is no better time to get reacquainted with Hawaii. Best of all, there are many new things to discover, seasoned island travelers. Take a look at what is new in Honolulu. Arts,Culture & History The Bishop Museum has begun construc-tion on its new $40 million Science Learning Center that will explore Hawaii extraordinary natural world. The new facility is scheduled to open in 2005. Meanwhile check out the museums upcoming new exhibition, If These Walls Could Talk, on display Oct. 2-Jan. 4. Exploring environmental science, engi-neering, culture, and more, the exhibit will include 20 interactive features as well as an object theater The Honolulu Academy of Art hosts its 23 rd annual World Art Bazaar Nov. 27-Dec. 12. This marvelous free market will feature gift items, folk art, home accents, jewelry, ethnic clothing, textiles, and more from around the world. September wel-comes The Arts of Hawaii and its People, which features special exhibitions of Hawaiian art from as early as pre-Western contact to modern day. Date TBA. 808-532-8700, www.honoluluacademy.org The new Na Mea Hawaii store, previ-ously Native Books, now features free Hawaiian concerts every Sunday at Ward War ehouse Amphitheater, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The new store has an incredible selection of handmade quilts, jewelry, clothing, crafts, and other goods made by local Hawaiian artists and craftmakers. 800-887-7751 Enjoy A Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace on Oct. 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will feature Hawaiian food and music, hula dancing, free muse-um tours, crafts and goods, and a display of period costumes. 808-595-6291, www.daughtersofhawaii.org Art lovers will enjoy the areas art cele-brations: the Waikiki Art Festival in Kapiolani Park runs Nov 20-21, while the Ala Moana Art Festival in Ala Moana Park runs Dec. 11-12. 808-922-3111 Collectors will not want to miss the Wiki Wiki One Day Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show, Oct 10, at the Blaisdell Center Hawaiian Suites. The show and sale features pre-1980s collectibles and runs 11 a.m.-5p.m. 808-941-9754, www.ukulele.com/wikiwiki This article is sponsored by: http://www.grouptravelblog. com