January 16

Hilo Hattie’s Nimitz Store – Plumeria & Hibiscus Rooms, 1-4 p.m., free, RSVP for a seat. International best-selling author Patrick Snow conducts seminar for both published and unpublished fiction and non-fiction authors. (533-6708, brodi54@hotmail.com)

Bishop Museum, Atherton Halau, 6:30 p.m., contact for cost. Students between the ages of 14 and 20 who have an interest in aviation are encouraged to attend the orientation with parents. Applications to the program will only be accepted at orientation and the program will be limited to 15 students. (www.IslandAir.com/Explorers.)

The Loading Zone, each Thursday in Jan., 7:30-9:30 p.m., $10/class. Learn the performing art of improvisation (728 7146, mraaronpresents@gmail.com)

Kaneohe Clipper Golf Course, 2:30-3:30 p.m., for keiki 4-6, limited to 4 keiki per class, contact for cost. Golf preparation class with fun and games that relate to good manners and activities of golf. Everything provided. (375-9887, golfacademyhawaii.com)

Hanauma Bay Education Center Theater, 6:30 p.m., free, no parking charge after 5:30 p.m. PhD students present on Coconut Island, the 1960 tsunami and hydrological modeling. (397-5840, hbaynews@hawaii.edu)

Life Church, Kailua, 6:30 p.m., free, RSVP. Hawaii Republican Assembly meets to discuss issues in Hawaii. (202-400-2719)

Pearlridge Center – Uptown, second level fronting Satellite City Hall, 9-11 a.m. (488-0411)

Oahu Country Club, noon-1:30 p.m., $25 for lunch. Andrew Tang, an architect, will review landscaping in the major cities of the world and give his thoughts on landscaping in Honolulu. (225-2965, edracers@aol.com)

Departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace – Pier 8, daily through April 15, 8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. (closed New Year’s Day), $24.78-$30.60, child free per paid adult. Enjoy Star of Honolulu’s four walk-around decks, observation sun deck and three types of stabilizers while searching for Humpback whales, or learn from trained naturalist crew. Whale sightings are guaranteed or receive a free return cruise ticket until a whale is spotted. Breakfast buffet upgrades available. Contact to RSVP. (983-7827, starofhonolulu.com)

Departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace – Pier 8, daily through April 15, 2014 (closed New Year’s Day), noon-2:30 p.m., $36.80-$45.43, child is free per paid adult. Star of Honolulu’s premier whale watch cruise voyages to Diamond Head to view Humpback whales. Also enjoy trained Naturalist crew, an interactive keiki program and Hawaiian cultural activities.Whale sightings are guaranteed or participants receive a free return cruise ticket until a whale is spotted. Lunch buffet upgrades are available. Contact to RSVP. (983-7827, starofhonolulu.com)

Royal Hawaiian Center – Royal Grove, 1 p.m., free. (922-5331)

Jazz Minds, 1661 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, Jan. 16 and 30, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., call for cost. (536-3775, 945-0800)

Gallery on the Pali at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free. Featuring scenic watercolors and abstract acrylics by Jimmy Tablante, an award winning artist. (jtdesignsonline.com, unitariansofhi.org/gallery)