"Buss Laugh," a collection of stand up poetry from Hawai'i writers, including many young adults, and the "My Hawai'i Story Project, a collection of writings on environmental issues by middle schoolers, are being released this month.

"Buss Laugh" (Bess Press, paper, $12.95) is edited by Da Pidgin Guerilla, writer, teacher and editor Lee A. Tonouchi. The outspoken and sometimes hilarious poems support a premise laid out by Tonouchi in the introduction: that the comical, satircal and ironic can coexist with the serious, the sincere and the well-made point. Writers include the well-known (Ray Bumatai, Eric Chock, Juliet S. Kono, Joe Balaz and Tonouchi himself) as well as newcomers to the print form. A reception for the book is planned for Dec. 18 at Bess Press; call 734-7159, ext. 11. Information at besspress.com.
The "My Hawai'i Story Project" will be introduced at a reception Dec. 12 at ING DIRECT Cafe, 1958 Kalakaua Ave. (see http:hawaiiconservation.org for information). The book is an annual anthology of 25 select poems, essays and stories chosen from among the work of nearly 2,000 students who participated, writing about ecology, sustainability, the environment and conservation issues. The event, which begins at noon with a My Hawai'i Conservation Fair (exhibits, green vendors, educational activities, games, information on native species) continues at 4:30 p.m. with readings from the new book, a silent auction, live music, pupu and appearances by writer and educator Joseph Tsujimoto ("Lighting Fires, How the Passionate Teacher Engages Adolescent Writers") and Hawai'iSlam founder Kealoha, a performer in the Artists in the Schools program.