Good Stuff in the Week Ahead on PBS Hawaii

Sometimes you only know about good TV shows because you catch the tail end or because it's the buzz at the office the next day. I’d like to call out the start of two limited summer series on PBS Hawaii so that you can be sure to watch them from the get-go: --“Time Team America” (Wed., July 8, 8 pm) gives us the first of five weeks of archaeological trips into the past. This episode goes in search of what really happened to the vanished colonists of Roanoke Island in the 1580s. --“The Ascent of Money” (Wed., July 8, 9pm) is the fascinating story of humankind’s development of a money system - from coins of scrap metal to a global web of credit and financial instruments. "From Bullions to Bubbles" is the first of four parts. Other new shows coming up on PBS Hawaii in the week ahead: --MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! (Sun., July 5, 8 pm) has the first of four new Miss Marple episodes. --INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII (Thurs., July 8, 7:30 pm) is a live discussion about economic literacy and mastery of personal finances for young and old. --"The 2009 National Geographic Bee" (Sat., July 11, 8pm) puts students to the test- and it's amazing what their young minds already know! --"Great Museums of Havana" (Sat., July 11, 9 pm) takes you to places largely unseen by Americans, including an insider’s tour of the ongoing restoration of a "living museum without walls"--the old colonial district. Some of the week's encore showings worth watching again: --"Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula" goes behind the scenes with Robert Cazimero’s males-only halau as it trains for the mighty Merrie Monarch Festival, on PBS HAWAII PRESENTS (Thurs., July 9, 8:30 pm). --LONG STORY SHORT (Tues., July 7, 7:30 pm) features leading Hawaii graveyard expert Nanette Napoleon, who’s joyful about the life stories and culture reflected in our cemeteries. --NOVA (Tues., July 7, 8 pm) examines the art and science behind creating what many believe is the perfect sword - the ancient samurai sword. Also watch for new episodes of HISTORY DETECTIVES (Mon., July 6, 9 pm), NOVA ScienceNOW (Tues, July 7, 9 pm), P.O.V. (Tues., July 7, 10 pm), WIDE ANGLE (Wed., July 8, 10 pm), and GLOBE TREKKER (Thurs., July 9, 10 pm). Science buffs, we heard you and you’re getting your wish--NOVA ScienceNOW will also get a weekend airing, at 2 pm every Sunday!