SPECIAL

PUBLIC LIBRARY "HOT SPOTS": Kane'ohe Public Library joins Salt-Lake-Moanalua Public Library in offering free wireless Internet access (no printers available; although patrons can print documents from the library's public-access printers); information, 831-6877.

"EARLY ANIMAL EVOLUTION," a discussion by Mark Martindale, evolutionary and developmental biologist and director of the University of Hawai'i's Kewalo Marine Laboratory, and other evolutionary biologists, 3 p.m. Feb. 22, Revolution Books; free; 944-3106.

"POETRY OUT LOUD — HAWAI'I" 2009 competition, statewide national "slam poetry" recitation contest among public, public charter, private and home-schooled high school students/schools: semifinals, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., finals, 2-5 p.m., Feb. 22, The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Andrew, Tenney Theatre; free; 586-0307, www.poetryoutloud.org.

FRIENDS OF PEARL CITY LIBRARY SALE of books, records and videotapes, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., various dates: Feb. 22, children's books; March 1, pocketbooks; March 8, hardcover nonfiction; March 15, paperbacks; March 22, hardcover nonfiction; March 29, fiction; April 5, videos; library lobby; all less than $1; 453-6566.

"THE SHIFTY SAILORS: A WHALE OF A TALE THROUGH SONG," featuring musical singing group from Whidbey Island, Wash., 7 p.m. Feb. 24, Kihei Public Library, Children's Room; free; 808-875-6833.

"WHAT'S OUT THERE?," informational astronomy lecture with "live-screen-projected-feed" from a Haleakala telescope, 7 p.m. Feb. 24, Kahului Public Library; free; 808-873-3097.

"MARDI GRAS MASK-MAKING WORKSHOP," 5 p.m. Feb. 24, Wahiawa Public Library meeting room; suitable for all ages; free; 622-6345.

"LET'S LEARN ABOUT HUMPBACK WHALES," presentation by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, Pearl City Public Library, adult reading area (meant for adults, but suitable for all ages); information, 453-6566.

"NOLLE SMITH: AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO HAWAI'I," informational program by local historian Adesina Ogunelese, in observance of Black History Month, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25, Makawao Public Library; free; suitable for age 12 and older; 808-573-8785.

KAHUKU AFTER SCHOOL CLUB PROGRAMS, 12:45 p.m.; Kahuku Public and School Library; free; 293-8935: "Fabulous Board Games," Feb. 25.

"PUPPET TIMES WITH CHRISTY LIPPS," a participatory program of puppetry, stories, songs and rhymes, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 27, Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library, Children's Area; free; 831-6831.

TWO-DAY BOOK FAIR, to finance Performing Arts Center of Kapolei's upcoming show, "Into the Woods," 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1, Barnes and Noble, Ala Moana; with costumed character readings and cast performances from the play, and book-signing by Wally Amos; 692-8255.

HAWAII LITERACY ORIENTATION, for volunteers who want to learn to teach adults to read, 3-5 p.m. March 1, Borders, Waikele; registration, 537-6706; information: www.hawaiiliteracy.org.

"DEAD DOWNWIND" author Bill Riddle to speak and sign books on John Rogers' epic first flight to Hawai'i, 7 p.m. Feb. 28 and 2 p.m. March 1, at Pacific Aviation Museum, Pearl Harbor; $14 adults, $7 children, kama'aina/military prices available; required reservations by Feb. 25, 441-1008.

"ALOHA SHORTS," series of local literature readings by Hawai'i's top actors/personalities, this one featuring Lisa Linn Kanae's "The Steersman," as read by Donalyn Dela Cruz, 7 p.m. March 1 (pre-show music, 6:45 p.m.), Atherton Performing Arts Studio, 738 Kaheka St.; free; reservations recommended: 955-8821.

"TAX HELP FOR SENIORS AND LOW-TO-MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES," by AARP volunteers, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, through April 9; Kahuku Public and School Library; free; 293-8935.

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE BOOK EXHIBIT, arranged by category and reading level (preschool to middle school), library hours, through March 6, Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library; 831-6831.

31st ANNUAL WATER CONSERVATION WEEK poster contest (open to students K-6) and poetry contest (grades 7-12), sponsored by Board of Water Supply, on the theme, "Ola I Ka Wai — Water Gives Life"; entry deadline March 11 (Board of Water Supply headquarters or satellite city halls); entry form, rules and information: www.boardofwatersupply.com; information, 748-5041.

BOOK SIGNINGS

FORMER GOV. BEN CAYETANO will discuss and sign copies of his book, "Ben: A Memoir, From Street Kid to Governor," 1-2 p.m. Feb. 22; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; 949-7307.

LANI MEDINA WEIGERT AND ALII CHING will sign copies of "The Maui Book of Lavender," 2 p.m. March 1, Borders, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

ONGOING

BILL'S BOOKMOBILE, a fundraising project of Friends of the Library of Hawai'i, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; 536-4174.

"Talk Story Radio," weekly radio show hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on KTUH 90.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; www.talkstoryradio.com.

Youth Speaks Hawaii, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

FOR KEIKI

WAIPAHU LIBRARY PRESCHOOL STORYTIME and activities program (including stories, sing-alongs, puzzles, educational toys and crafts); 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, through March 24, 94-275 Mokuola St.; 675-0358.

CHILDREN'S STORYTIME, 10:30 a.m. Sundays, through March 29, Kaimuki Public Library, Children's Room; free; 733-8422.

Keiki storytimE, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2-5; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, through April 8; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, with stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and crafts; 10 a.m., Thursdays, through April 23, Wai'anae Public Library; no registration required; 697-7868.

Toddler time storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and rhymes, for babies to toddlers up to age 3; 10 a.m. Mondays through April 27 (except holidays); Hawai'i State Library, Edna Allyn Room for Children; free; 586-3510.

TODDLER STORYTIME, with stories, songs, finger plays, crafts and playtime, for ages 3-5, with parent/caregiver; 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays, through May 13, 'Ewa Beach Public and School Library; free; 689-1204.

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

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs, for ages 2-3; 10 a.m. Tuesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

Keiki storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays; Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

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

Preschool craft AND storytimE, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for children 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with $7 admission for parents; 532-8700.

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

Keiki storytimE, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

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