The Hawaii Book and Music Festival May 16 and 17 will feature 175 events and 550 featured presenters, among them New Zealand's Witi Ihimaera, the author of "Whale Rider,"the book on which the acclaimed movie was based,

The event, on the grounds of Honolulu Hale, is free and includes author appearances (John Saul, Alan Brennert, Terry Brooks, Chris McKinney, James Rumford, Stuart Coleman), musical entertainment (Jimmy Borges, Shari Lynn, Jake Shimabukuro and more), the world premiere of an animated film based on the works of Herb Kane and a keiki area.

Beneficiaries are Hawaii Literacy and Read to Me International.

Information: 234-0404 or hawaiibookandmusicfestival.org.