"CHINESE PIONEER FAMILIES OF MAUI, MOLOKA'I AND LANA'I," book launch by University of Hawai'i Press, with book co-editor Ken Yee, contributing writers, family representatives and sponsoring organizations, with lion dance blessing and Hawaiian music, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 8, Kílauea District Park Center, 4109 Kílauea Ave; information/book purchase, 956-8255.

READINGS FROM 'UCHINANCHU: A HISTORY OF OKINAWANS IN HAWAI'I," third printing , 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Hawai'i Okinawa Center; information/book purchase, 956-8255.

HAWAII LITERACY ORIENTATION, for those who want to become volunteer reading tutors; 3-5 p.m. Nov. 8, Borders, Ward Centre, 537-6706.

UPCOMING

RHYTHM AND RHYME POETRY CLASSES, series of four, with Skye White, "The Soul Poet"; 3 p.m. Tuesdays, through Dec. 1; series, $20; open to all ages, seniors encouraged; full schedule/information, 923-1802.

BOOK SIGNINGS

MILILANI 'IKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOOK FAIR AND READINGS: Vera Arita, local children's book author and teacher, will sign copies of her books "Can You Catch a Coqui Frog," and "Animals Sing Aloha,"; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 8, Barnes & Nobles-Ala Moana (also readings by students); percentage of net sales to the school; information, 949-7307.

MUTUAL PUBLISHING BOOK SIGNINGS; information, 732-1709, www.mutualpublishing.com:

• Chef SAM CHOY will sign copies of his book, "Poke,"11 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 8, NEX (Navy Exchange); and 1-2 p.m. Nov. 8, Target store, Salt Lake.

• JOYCE CASSEN, NORMAN AND SARAH LEVEY will sign copies of "Daniel's Ocean Views," 1 p.m. Nov. 8, Barnes and Noble, Kahala.

• AUTHOR GALYN WONG will sign "What Hawai'i Likes to Eat, Hana Hou!" 1 p.m. Nov. 8, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; and 1 p.m. Nov. 14, Barnes and Noble, Kahala Mall.

AUTHOR KATIE GROVE-VELASQUEZ and illustrator MICHAEL OGATA will sign copies of "New Friend for Nai'a," 11 a.m. Nov. 14, Barnes and Noble-Ala Moana; 1 p.m. Nov. 15, Barnes and Noble-Kahala Mall, and 3-4 p.m. Nov. 15, Native Books, Ward Warehouse.

UZMA ASLAM KHAN will read from her book, "Geometry of God," 3 p.m. Nov. 15, Revolution Books, Mo'ili'ili; discussion to follow; information, 944-3106.

essay contests

ELLIOT CADES AWARD: Hawai'i Literary Arts Council accepting nominations for 2009 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature, which recognize an established writer and an emerging writer — including poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists and others; nominations must include a letter summarizing writer's achievements and samples of the writer's work; send to Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, P.O. Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828; deadline Jan. 15.

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; for information, e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

ONGOING

BILL'S BOOKMOBILE, a bargain book/video store state library fundraiser; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; information, 536-4174.

YWCA BROWN-BAG LUNCH BOOK CLUB, 12-1:30 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.

PLAY READING GROUP, with discussion and dramatic readings, 6 p.m. second Friday monthly, First Unitarian Church; free; bring snacks to share; information, 526-1191.

For Keiki

KAILUA KEIKI STORYTIME, with stories, finger plays and crafts, for ages 2-5; 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 18-Dec. 16, Kailua Public Library; information, 266-9911.

TODDLER STORYTIME, with stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and games (also toddler fun time with toys and puzzles), for ages 1 1/2-3 years old (with adult supervision); 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays, through Nov. 24, McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

"TODDLER TIME" STORYTIME, for babies and toddlers (with caregivers), with stories, rhymes, sing-alongs and puzzles; 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays, through Nov. 24, Hawai'i State Library, Edna Allyn Children's Room; free; information, 586-3510.

KAIMUKI CHILDREN'S STORYTIME, for children preschool age and older, with stories, finger plays, rhymes and craft session; 10:30-11 a.m. Sundays, through Dec. 6; information, 733-8422.

HAWAI'I KAI PUBLIC LIBRARY FALL CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS; library meeting room; free; information, 397-5833:

• Preschool storytime, for children 3-5 years old (with caregiver), with stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and make-and-take craft sessions; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, through Dec. 23.

• Toddler Puzzletime, for ages 1 1/2-3 years (with caregiver), with educational puzzles, toys, storytime, songs and finger plays; 10:30 a.m. first Thursdays monthly.

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, 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 parents' $7 admission; 532-8700.

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