Kathleen Norris, one of the nation's leading inspirational writers, is among authors participating in this year's Hawaii Book & Music Festival,presented by Bank of Hawaii.

The award-winning poet and author of The New York Times best-sellers "The Cloister Walk, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography" and "Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith," will discuss her work at the festival's Authors Pavilion 4 to 5 p.m. today. The free two-day festival takes place today and tomorrow on the grounds of Honolulu Hale's civic center.

Norris divides her time between South Dakota and Honolulu, where she volunteers at an Episcopal church, cooks for a homeless shelter and helps teach a spirituality class for teenagers.

The festival is a benefit for Hawaii Literacy and Read To Me International. For more information, visit www.hawaiibookandmusicfestival.org.

CHABAD TO MARK SHAVUOT AT HOTEL

Chabad of Hawaii will celebrate the holiday of Shavuot next week with special services and meals at the Ala Moana Hotel, Kona Lobby.

The word Shavuot means "weeks" and marks seven weeks since Passover. The holiday begins at sundown on the fifth of Sivan (the third month in the 12-month Jewish calendar) through nightfall of the seventh of Sivan. It marks the month in which God descended on Mount Sinai to give the Torah to the Jewish people.

During the holiday, women and girls light holiday candles, and it is customary to study the Torah on the first night. It is traditional to read the Ten Commandments. Special meals are eaten and no work may be performed. On the second day, a Yizkor memorial service is recited.

Chabad of Hawaii's holiday events will span three days.

• Tuesday: evening service, 6:30 p.m.; candle lighting, followed by holiday dinner ($30 kama'āina), 6:44 p.m., and night Torah study session (with refreshments), beginning at 10 p.m.

• Wednesday: morning services, 10 a.m.; reading of the Ten Commandments and children's program, followed by a dairy buffet lunch, 11 a.m.; second reading of the Ten Commandments, 6 p.m.; evening service, followed by holiday dinner ($30 kama'āina), 7:30 p.m.; and candle lighting, after 7:39 p.m.

• Thursday: morning services 10 a.m.; Yizkor, 11:30 a.m., followed by a holiday dairy buffet kiddush lunch. The holiday ends at 7:39 p.m.

For information: 735-8161.