May 2, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REPTILES: REAL AND ROBOTIC INHABIT BISHOP MUSEUM

HONOLULU – Come face-to-face with a 23 foot long Nile Crocodile or a 36 foot long Western Diamondback Rattlesnake without having to risk life or limb at the newest traveling exhibit to slither into the Bishop Museum, Reptiles: Real and Robotic!

The exhibit allows visitors to experience a close encounter with these monstrous reptiles while learning about their cold-blooded nature, biological diversity and durable adaptability. Highlighting the four major reptile groups – lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles, Reptiles: Real and Robotic aims to capture the imagination of the whole family while educating visitors on common misconceptions of reptiles. The exhibit hopes to dispel many myths that have lead to these creatures being sources of fear rather than awe at their amazing evolution.

Other highlights of this amazing exhibit include larger-than-life robotic models of an Alligator Snapping Turtle and a Jackson Chameleon, a “Let’s Eat” section looking at a reptile diet, and an exploration of Snakes and Venom.

The Museum will celebrate the opening of this unique experience on Sunday, May 29th as Kraft® Foods presents Family Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with lots of exciting activities, Xtreme Fun rides and games, crafting and coloring, delicious food, live entertainment, prize giveaways and best of all, reptiles! Admission is only $3 for kama‘āina and military, and free for Bishop Museum members, children 3 and under. As a special promotion to mark this exciting event, kids get in free with a Kraft® Cheese or Oscar Mayer® Deli wrapper. Kraft® Foods Family Sunday is also sponsored in part by Papa John’s Hawai‘i and KSSK.

Reptiles: Real and Robotic will be on display in the Castle Memorial Building from May 28 through September 11, 2005. The exhibit is sponsored in part by Kraft® Foods, Horizon Lines, and Papa John’s Hawaii.

A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years, special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org