Downtown galleries and studios keep their doors open late on the third Thursday of each month, to give people a reason to stay in the downtown–Chinatown area. Many galleries host visits from the artists featured, giving patrons the opportunity to learn a little about the arts from the artists themselves.

Third Thursdays are designed as a more arts-focused, less-crowded alternative to the popular First Friday Honolulu events.

Confirmed events for this month's Third Thursday:

• Hawai'i artists Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, Carl F.K. Pao and co-curator Jaimey Hamilton, assistant professor of art history at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa will give a gallery tour at The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nu'uanu Ave., in conjunction with the exhibit "Pan-Pacific Nation," a selection of contemporary Pacific Island art from Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawai'i, New Zealand, Nuie, Samoa and Tonga. This is the gallery's first international exhibition. The exhibition runs through March 28; 521-2903, www.artsatmarks.com

• Rabbit Kekai is scheduled to speak at 6:30 today for this month's Surf Discussion Series at Chinatown Boardroom, 1160 Nu'uanu Ave. Rabbit, born in 1920, is a world-renowned surfer, beach boy and coach. He began surfing at the age of 5 and grew up watching Tom Blake and Duke Kahanamoku surf at Publics in Waikiki. He is known as one of the first hot-doggers, who revolutionized surfing. At 89 he is still active in the surf community. The monthly Surf Discussion Series creates a forum for people to meet and discuss surfing, culture and local life; www.chinatownboardroom.com; 585-7200.

• At the Louis Pohl Gallery, 1111 Nu'uanu Ave., gallery owners will be celebrating a "Very Merry Unbirthday Tea Party" from 5:30 to 8 p.m.; 521-1812; www.louispohlgallery.com.

• At the Kim Taylor Reece Gallery, 1142 Bethel St., Kim Taylor Reece is celebrating three decades of fine art photography, and is exhibiting his original drawings. There will be a reception with Reece from 5 to 9 p.m.; 293-2000.