UPCOMING

STATE LIBRARY FURLOUGH DAYS:

• Closed: Dec. 16, 24, 31; Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 3, 10; March 5, 12, 19; April 7, 14, 21; May 5, 19.

• Also closed: March 4, 11 and 18 (in addition to regular Friday closure): 'Aiea, Hawai'i Kai, Kaimukí, Mänoa, and Makawao, Maui.

PEARL HARBOR ATTACK ANNIVERSARY EVENT, "Dark Clouds Over Paradise: The Hawai'i Internees Story" exhibit, presented by Japanese Cultural Center, library hours, through Dec. 19, second-floor lobby ; Kapolei Public Library; suitable for all ages; free; information, 693-7050.

HAWAII LITERACY'S ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM VOLUNTEER TUTOR ORIENTATION, 3-5 p.m. Dec. 6, Honolulu Advertiser printing plant, Kapolei; 537-6706.

"ALOHA SHORTS," Hawaii Public Radio's live taping of readings from Bamboo Ridge Press by local celebrities/actors; this week on the theme of "A-Language-Ing," 6:45 p.m. (music), 7 p.m. readings, Dec. 6, Atherton Performing Arts Studio, 738 Kaheka St.; free; reservations recommended, 955-8821.

"MARSHALL ISLAND TALES," stories, song and dance, featuring storyteller Dan Kelin, director of Education, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Kahuku Public & School Library, conference room; recommended for all ages; free; information, 293-8935.

"MY HAWAI'I STORY" celebration and fundraiser, for the middle school annual writing contest, sponsored by Hawai'i Conservation Alliance Foundation, Pacific Writers' Connection and ING Direct, 12 p.m., Dec. 12, with activities and educational materials for all ages; and public reading by the student authors and reception (4:30-6:30 p.m.); silent auction featuring books, art, special nature tours and other special offers on display and open for bid at Ing Direct Cafe, cafe hours, from Dec. 7; information, 955-1435.

"THE RED ROOM: Stories of Trauma in Contemporary Korea," translators Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton will speak on their book, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10, University of Hawai'i-Mänoa, Center for Korean Studies; information, 956-8255,.

HAWAI'I STATE LIBRARY HOLIDAY EVENTS, Edna Allyn Children's Room; free; information, 586-3510:

• "HOLIDAY SEASON PUPPET TIMES," featuring Christy Lipps, with puppets, music and songs, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12; suitable for children of all ages.

• "A HOLIDAY CONCERT," for ages 5 and older, featuring the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir, with Christmas carols and seasonal song; 11:30 a.m., Dec. 12, front lobby.

BOOK SIGNINGS

MUTUAL PUBLISHING BOOK SIGNINGS; information, 732-1709, www.mutualpublishing.com:

• JEAN WATANABE HEE will sign "Hawai'i's Best Quick and Easy Recipes," 1 p.m. Dec. 6, Borders, Windward Mall, and 2 p.m. Dec. 12, Borders, Ward Centre.

• AUTHOR CHRISTINE LE and illustrator Michel Le will sign copies of "The Hawai'i Snowman," 1 p.m. Dec. 6, Borders, Pearlridge.

MARY LOU SANELLI will sign copies of "Among Friends," 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Barnes & Noble, Kähala; information, 923-4221, www.MaryLouSanelli.com

MICHI KODAMA-NISHIMOTO, WARREN S. NISHIMOTO AND CYNTHIA A. OSHIRO, co-editors, will sign copies of "Talking Hawai'i's Story: Oral Histories of an Island People," 7-8 p.m. Dec. 11, Barnes & Noble, Kähala; information, 737-3323.

ROBERT YONOVER will sign copies of his book, "Hardcore Inventing," in a one-hour presentation, with slide show, and hands-on demonstrations of survival gear invented in Hawai'i, now used by militaries and civilians worldwide; 3 p.m. Dec. 11, 'Aina Haina Public Library, meeting room; suitable for all ages; free; information, 377-2456.

HIDEAKI "SANTA" MIYOSHI will sign copies of his book "Izakaya Hawaii, Tokkuri Tei Cooking," 1-4 p.m. Dec. 12, at the Japanese Cultural Center Book Fair, at the center.

SAM CHOY will sign copies of his book "Poke," 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 12, Sam's Club, Pearl City, and 3-5 p.m. Dec. 12, Sam's Club, Ke'aumoku.

LIBRARY CHANGES

KAILUA, KONA PUBLIC LIBRARY, Big Island, has changed Tuesday hours to noon-7 p.m. (instead of 11 a.m.-7 p.m.); rest of schedule unchanged; information, 808-327-4327

AWARDS, CONTESTS

ANNUAL PLAYWRITING CONTEST, sponsored by Kumu Kahua Theatre and University of Hawai'í at Mänoa Theatre and Dance Department, in three categories: Hawai'i and Pacific/Rim related stories, open to residents/nonresidents , and a resident category; (deadline, Jan. 4); information/flyer, 536-4222; information, www.kumukahua.org.

STUDENTS' STAR POETS CONTEST, sponsored by Windward Community College and Hawai'i Council for the Humanities, for students grades 3-12, statewide; prizes for students and schools; deadline, Jan. 29, 2010 entry forms/rules, www.windward.hawaii.edu/poets; information, 236-9231. .

ELLIOT CADES AWARD, the Hawai'i Literary Arts Council is accepting nominations for 2009 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature for an established writer and for an emerging writer; includes poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists and others; nominations must include a letter summarizing writer's achievements and samples of the writer's work; send to Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, P.O. Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828; deadline Jan. 15.

ESSAY CONTEST, for grades 5-8, about the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, sponsored by the Aloha Chapter, National Society For the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entries accepted through January; for information, e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ESSAY CONTEST, for grades 9-12, prize of $1,200 and paid lodging and transportation to Washington, D.C., in October 2010 to read prize-winning essay on Columbus Day, sponsored by Aloha Chapter, National Society For the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entries accepted through January; for information, e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

ONGOING

BILL'S BOOKMOBILE, a bargain book/video store fundraiser for state libraries; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; information, 536-4174

YWCA BROWN-BAG LUNCH BOOK CLUB, 12-1:30 p.m. third Tuesday monthly; Laniäkea (old Richards Street) YWCA; information, 538-7061.

Youth Speaks Hawaii, slam poetry workshops, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

PLAY READING GROUP, with discussion and dramatic readings, 6 p.m. second Friday monthly, First Unitarian Church; free; bring snacks to share; information, 526-1191.

FOR KEIKI

KAIMUKI CHILDREN'S STORYTIME, for children preschool age and older, with stories, finger plays, rhymes and craft session; 10:30-11 a.m. Sundays, through Dec. 6; information, 733-8422.

KAILUA KEIKI STORYTIME, with stories, finger plays and crafts, for ages 2-5; 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, through Dec. 16, Kailua Public Library; information, 266-9911.

HAWAI'I KAI PUBLIC LIBRARY CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, library meeting room; free; information, 397-5833:

• Preschool storytime, for children 3-5 years old (with caregiver), with stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and make-and-take craft sessions; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, through April, 2010.

• Toddler Puzzletime, for ages 1 1/2-3 years (with caregiver), with educational puzzles, toys, storytime, songs and finger plays; 10:30 a.m. first Thursdays monthly.

SATURDAY KEIKI STORYTIME, for children 3 and older (with adult supervision), including stories, songs and rhymes; 10:30-11 a.m. Saturdays, Hawai'i State Library, Edna Allyn Children's Room; free; information, 586-3510.

Keiki storytime, with books, games and songs; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699. Also, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

Read Me a Story, for children 12 and under and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Honolulu Academy of Arts; children included with parents' $7 admission; 532-8700.

Preschool storytimE, stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5; 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Waikíkí-Kapahulu Public Library; free; 733-8488.