SPECIAL

ANN WRIGHT, retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel, anti-war activist and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in protest of the Iraq war, to speak about expansion of militarism in the Pacific (and recent visits to Guam, Okinawa and Japan); 3 p.m., Aug. 23, Revolution Books; information, 944-3106.

HAWAII WRITERS CONFERENCE discounted tickets, to the the retreat, Aug. 28-Sept. 3 at Royal Hawaiian/Sheraton Waikiki hotels; $100 (with paid membership fee); 739-5500, or www.hawaiiwritersconference.com.

KAPOLEI PUBLIC LIBRARY fifth anniversary events; free; information, 693-7050:

• "Book Thong Crafts for Teens," 2-5 p.m. Aug. 24, 27 and 28; 2-8 p.m. Aug. 25 and 26; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 29; "make-and-take" craft materials provided.

• "Balloon Monsoon," magic show and balloon-sculpture-making, suitable for all ages; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25.

• "Dances of Okinawa," dance and classical dance drama, exhibition, suitable for all ages; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26.

• Chamber Music Hawai'i, Spring Wind Quintet Concert, 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29.

• Free DVD rentals (with library card), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 29.

• Friends of the Library, Kapolei Book Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 29.

HAWAIIANA BOOK SALE, of discounted books by Bess Press and Kamehameha Publishing; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 29, 3565 Harding Ave. . (between 11th and 12th avenues); information, 734-7159

CLOSURES

KEA'AU (BIG ISLAND) PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY has re-opened after closure for health, safety and accessibility improvements and new roof installation; hours remain the same; information, 808-982-4281.

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

UPCOMING

"THE PLASTIC PERIL," presentation on the dangers from discarded plastic, to our food chain and the environment, by co-founders of B.E.A.C.H. (Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign in Hawai'i); suitable for ages 12 and older; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Kahuku Public and School Library, conference room; free; information, 293-8935.

HAWAI'I INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISING BOOK FAIR, with a portion of proceeds to benefit dyslexia education projects, Aug. 28-30; Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall (mention HIDA at cashier); information, 538-7007 or www.dyslexia-hawaii.org. (also: see below):

• KEIKI STORIES AND POETRY, performed by students from Assets High School, 1 p.m. Aug. 30.

"HISTORY OF ARTISTS IN HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK," with Boone Morrison and Peter Charot, one of the monthly "Fireside Stories" discussion series; 7 p.m. Aug. 28, Volcano House lobby, Big Island; requires park entrance fee); information, 967-8222; www.volcanoartcenter.org.

"SPIN, POP, BOOM!," children's presentation combining magic and science (including flying water glasses, a "flaming" Didgeridoo, Genie in the Bottle, and exploding foam fountain), 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29, 'Aina Haina Public Library, Children's Area; 377-2456.

"KARATE: FROM OKINAWA TO HAWAI'I," exhibit of karate images from 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.

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

GAELLEN QUINN will sign copies of "The Last Aloha," about the final days of the Hawaiian monarchy, 2 p.m. Aug. 23, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse; information, www.gaellenquinn.com, or 596-8885. (Also: see item below):

• FREE PRESENTATION by Quinn, 3:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Hilo Public Library lanai; information 808-933-8890.

DR. BRENT CHING will read from his book, "The Little Lima Bean" — with hands-on bean planting opportunity by center volunteers — 11 a.m.-noon Aug. 29, Hawai'i Children's Discovery Center; a portion of book sales to the center;

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

SATURDAY KEIKI STORYTIME, for children 3 and older (with adult supervision), including stories, songs and rhymes, 10:30-11 a.m. Saturdays, Hawai'i State Library, Edna Allyn Children's Room; free; information, 586-3510.

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.