SPECIAL

LIBRARY HOPPING TOUR, bus tour of Hawaiiana collections, sponsored by Mission Houses Museum, including its library (and current exhibit, "Alphabet Soup: Literacy, Language & Learning"), Bishop Museum archives (with DeSoto Brown), Alu Like library (with Myles Furubayashi) and Central Union Church archives (with Suzanne Case); 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 15; leaving from Mission Houses; $35 (museum member discount available); lunch separate; paid reservations by Aug. 12, 447-3929.

UPCOMING

HOW TO CREATE WIRE JEWELRY, crafts workshop for ages 12 and older, with artist/silversmith Cynthia Wiig, 1:30 p.m. Aug. 9, Kaimuki Public Library, Young Adult Section; supplies provided; registration, 733-8422.

BABY SIGNS 101: SIGN LANGUAGE FOR BABIES, for family and caregivers, on simple baby sign language to help communicate baby's needs, with certified instructor Rena Phung, for ages 5 and older, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11; Kahuku Public and School Library, conference room; information, 293-8935

IDENTITY THEFT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION workshop, with identity theft specialist Welmon "Rusty" Walker, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12; Waimanalo Public & School Library meeting room; information, 259-2610.

PRINTED PAGES BOOK EXHIBIT SHOW & TELL, with the artists, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 15, at ongoing exhibition (Aug. 12-28) of artist books by local printmakers; Academy Art Center, second floor gallery; free; information, 536-5507; www.honoluluprintmakers.com.

KEIKI TALK STORY: MOTHER GOOSE, storytelling with English and Hawaiian themes, and crafts project; for ages 4-6; 10-11 a.m. Aug. 13, Mission Houses Museum visitor center; free; 261-0705.

"KARATE: FROM OKINAWA TO HAWAI'I," exhibit of karate images of prewar Hawai'i, from the collection of the Hawaii Karate Museum, through Aug. 28, library hours, UH-Manoa's Hamilton Library, Bridge Gallery; free; open to the public; information, 988-8688.

BOOK A BRIGHTER FUTURE, Macy's fundraiser for Read Aloud America national children's reading program, ($3 donation gets $10 coupon off next $50 purchase or more), through Aug. 31, local Macy's stores; information, 531-1985.

PAHALA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Big Island) closed through approximately mid-August for construction of improvements. No book drop, summer reading programs or passport application service. Temporary extended hours at Na'alehu Public Library. Information: 831-6877

ESSAY CONTESTS

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; e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

KATHRYN WADDELL TAKARA will read from and sign her new collection of poetry, "Pacific Raven: Hawai'i Poems," 1 p.m. Aug. 15, Borders Books, Pearlridge, and 1-3 p.m. Aug. 22, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall; information, 808-276-6864.

HENRY ARII will sign copies of his book "Aloha Flight 243," 1-2 p.m. Aug. 9, Borders Books-Windward Mall; information, 381-7412.

ONGOING

BILL'S BOOKMOBILE, a library fundraising project, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; 536-4174.

YWCA BROWN-BAG LUNCH BOOK CLUB, noon-1:30 p.m. third Tuesday monthly; Laniakea (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.

FOR KEIKI

CHILDREN'S STORYTIME, 10:30 a.m. Sundays through Aug. 16, Kaimuki Public Library, Children's Room; free. 733-8422.

Keiki storytime, stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3 and older, 10-10:45 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Aug. 30, Kapolei Public Library; free. 693-7050.

TODDLER STORYTIME, for ages 2-3, 10 a.m. Tuesdays, McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free. 973-1099.

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 parent's $7 admission. 532-8700.

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

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