Lit Beat

Advertiser Staff

SPECIAL EVENTS

• NATIVE AMERICAN POET/MUSICIAN Joy Harjo to read from "How We Became Human: New and Selected Poems: 1975-2001," 1-3 p.m. Saturday, 1152 Koko Head Ave., Suite 202, Kaimuki; she may also show her latest music video. 734-8018.

FOR WRITERS

• RELIGIOUS POETRY CONTEST, amateurs encouraged to enter, 21 lines or less to Free Poetry Contest, 103 N. Wood Ave., PMB 70, Linden, NJ 07036 or online: www.rainbowpoets.com; $1,000 grand prize, other cash prizes; deadline Jan. 4.

• STAR POETS COMPETITION for students grades 3-12; 20 lines or less; entry forms at Starbucks stores on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island; deadline Jan. 15. www.wcc.hawaii.edu

• "KICK START YOUR NOVEL," four class hands on novel writing workshop 6-9 p.m. Jan. 21-24; $250 fee; "GHOST WRITING WORKSHOP," two-day class by Elizabeth Engstrom during which everyone will write a ghost story, 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 25 and 26; $150 fee, lunch included; location to be determined. 377-7037

SIGNINGS/READINGS

• PATRICK CHING, author/illustrator of "The Tale of Rabbit Island," noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Na Mea Hawaii, 851 Fort St., downtown. 548-2665.

• DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, author of "The Omiyage Guide To Island Gifts," 3-4 p.m. today, Pearlridge Waldenbooks; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Waldenbooks, Windward Mall.

• GARY DIAS, author of "Honolulu Cop," noon-1 p.m. today, Waldenbooks, Kahala Mall.

• DENBY FAWCETT, news reporter and author of "War Torn, Stories from War from the Women Reporters Who Covered Vietnam," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Bestsellers.

• DON LEE, author of "Yellow," an examination of the 21st century Asian-American experience, noon Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre.

• GERALD A. MEEHL, co-author and photojournalist, REX ALAN SMITH, co-author, JIM WAGEMAN, designer and WALTON RAWLS, editor of "Pacific Legacy," a color record of dramatic wartime relics on Pacific island battlefields and historic personal accounts, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. today and tomorrow, USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. 375-9352.

• JOAN NAMKOONG, author of "Go Home, Cook Rice," will offer recipe tastes and sign her book noon-1 p.m. today, Borders-Waikele; 4-5 p.m. today, Borders, Ward Centre; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Kalikimaka at Davies Pacific Center; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square; noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Na Mea Hawaii, 851 Fort St., downtown; 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Native Books and Beautiful Things, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Wabi Sabi, Kaimuki; 1-2 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 22, The Compleat Kitchen at Ala Moana Center. 548-2665.

• KIM TAYLOR REECE, creator of "Hula I Ka La: Dance In the Sun," and his 2003 calendar of classics, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Pictures Plus.

• JESSICA LANI RICH, author of "The Gift of Hawai'i: Island Inspirations, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square.

• CORYN TANAKA and MAY MASAKI, authors of "Ribbon Lei Making and Other Gifts of Aloha," 1-2 p.m. today, Sam's Club.

SPECIAL-INTEREST GROUPS

• Beginning Hawaiian Language classes 6:30 p.m. every Monday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall; free.

FOR KEIKI

• Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele; free.

• Barnes & Noble Craft and Story Time, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, top level, Kahala Mall; free. 737-3323.

• Keiki Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Children's Amphitheater, Borders, Ward Centre; free.

Correction: Gerald A. Meehl and Rex Alan Smith are co-authors of the book "Pacific Legacy." Their names were incorrect in a previous version of this listing.