It’s time…it’s time…it’s Book End Time!  Welcome to this week’s Book End, highlighting the weekend’s literary and library events here in Hawaii.

Barnes & Noble Ala Moana Book Fair!

This weekend, Barnes & Noble Ala Moana will be hosting a Book Fair Weekend for Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School (Fri., 8/20 – Sun., 8/22).  What makes this weekend different from most other book fair weekends is that it is the kick-off for The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation’s “Inspired in Hawaii” student contest.  The weekend features a series of inspirational speaker panels-highlighting “People Who Made a Difference” in the spirit of Clarence T.C. Ching—to offer  food for thought on key social issues/problems facing Hawaii-homelessness, sustainability, education, business environment, affordability.

Each of the five panel discussions will be moderated by student journalists and emceed by a Hawaii News Now reporter.  Following the 60-minute speaking portion, panelists will be available to sign books.

Purchases made during the weekend can help benefit SHA or SLS (all you have to do is mention either school when checking out at the register – even if you just buy coffee at the Cafe, mention a school!).

Win 20,000 books for our keiki.  Contest ends August 31st!

There’s only two weeks left in the First Book Cheerios Challenge for you to help Hawaii get into the Top 5!  The top 5 states in the country will receive 20,000 books each for needy children.  Currently Hawaii is #6 behind New York, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Tennessee.  All you have to do is answer multiple choice trivia on children’s books.  Each correct answer counts as a vote.  Let’s help Hawaii’s keiki by answering as many questions correctly as you can.  REMEMBER: You must hit the “I’M DONE” button for all of your trivia answers to count!  For more info check out First Book-Oahu’s blog.

Now on to the events…

Friday, August 20

  • 11:30am – Author Event at `Imiloa Astronomy Center Museum Store in Hilo (Big Island).  Author Victor Pellegrino and illustrator Linda Rowell Stevens will be on hand to talk about and sign copies of their book Uncle Kawaiola’s Dream: A Hawaiian Story until 1:30pm.  More info
  • 05:30pm – Special Event at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana.  Former governors Ben Cayetano & George Ariyoshi will be interviewed by Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School student journalists on the topic “Facing the Future – Where do we go from here?”  Part of the “Inspired in Hawaii” weekend event put on by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.  5:30pm – 7pm. 

Saturday, August 21

  • 09:30am – Writing Retreat at Windward Community College.  Write in the company of other beginning and experienced writers.  Anyone over 16 is welcome, and bring a sack lunch!  Instructor: Lillian Cunningham. Course fee: $5. Course code: L08WR155.  For more information call OCCE, 235-7433, wccocet@hawaii.eduSource
  • 10:00am – Enjoy keiki storytime at Barnes & Noble in Lahaina (Maui).  More info
  • 10:30am – Author Event with Iron Chef Morimoto at Borders Books and Music in Ward Centre.  Chef Morimoto will be signing his new cook book, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking. Call 596-8190 for more information.
  • 11:00am – Children’s Storytime at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana, reading Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin.  More info
  • 11:30am – Special Event at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana.  “Sustainability Panel, Part 1:  Farm/Restaurant Focus” will feature  speakers Chef Kevin Chong (Chef Mavro restaurant), Dean Okimoto (Nalo Farms) and Chef Alan Wong (Alan Wong’s Restaurants) discussing the topics, “Why is it important to grow more food and eat locally?” and “What can we consumers do to help?”  Part of the “Inspired in Hawaii” weekend event put on by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.  11:30am – 1pm.
  • 01:30pm – Special Event at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana.  “Sports Panel: Swinging for the Fences” will feature speakers Benny Agbayani (former MLB player/HPU Asst. baseball coach), Dana Takahara-Dias (UH basketball coach), Bryan Nakasone (HPU Women’s Softball Coach) discussing the topics, “What are the essential ingredients for becoming the best?” and “How do you draft a game plan for success?”  Part of the “Inspired in Hawaii” weekend event put on by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.  1:30pm – 3pm.
  • 02:00pm – Author Event with Phyllis Kunimura at Borders in Lihue (Kauai).  Her new book Beyond the Sandbox: Preschool Matters both challenges early childhood education to grow and demonstrates ways to do so.  More info
  • 03:00pm – Special Author Event with Victor Pellegrino and Linda Rowell Stevens, the author and illustrator of Uncle Kawaiola’s Dream: A Hawaiian Story at Basically Books in Hilo (Big Island).  Come meet the creators of this beautiful book on Hawaiian culture.  More info
  • 03:00pm – Author Event with award-winning author and illustrator James Rumford at Barnes & Noble Kahala Mall.  He will be signing copies of his newest book, Tiger and TurtleMore info

Sunday, August 22

  • 12:00pm – Special Event with Iron Chef Masaru Morimoto hosted by Barnes & Noble Kahala Mall.  Morimoto will be greeting fans and signing copies of  his cookbook Morimoto:  The New Art of Japanese Cooking.  Event will be at Kahala Mall’s Center Court.  More info
  • 12:30pm – Special Event at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana.  “Author’s Panel:  Inspiring Keiki to Overcome Obstacles and Dream Big” will feature speakers Wally Amos (founder of “Famous Amos” cookies and author of Watermelon Creedo), Henry Kapono (musician and author of A Beautiful Hawaiian Day), and Shelly Mecum (educator and author of God’s Photo Album and The Watercolor Cat) discussing the topics “How can life’s setbacks inspire us to reach higher?”  Part of the “Inspired in Hawaii” weekend event put on by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.  12:30pm – 2pm.
  • 02:00pm – It’s the grand opening of the newly renovated ground floor of Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaii Manoa.  Open from 2-4pm to the public.  On campus parking is free.  Tours of the ground floor and special collections will be available.  More info
  • 03:00pm – It’s the Book Launch for The Value of Hawai’i a new book from UH Press that’s created a lot of buzz lately.  The book launch will be held at Native Books / Na Mea Hawai’i, a number of the book’s contributors will be on hand to sign copies of the book, a general talk story will occur and there will be live music from Jon Osorio.  More info
  • 03:00pm – Special Event at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana.  “Sustainability Panel, Part 2: Pitching in to Protect Our Planet” will feature speakers Mitch D’Olier (President/CEO, Kaneohe Ranch), Evan Fujimoto (President, Graham Builders), and Jeff Mikulina (Executive Director, The Blue Planet Foundation) discussing the topic “How can little kids make a big difference?  Engaging our keiki in caring for our paradise.”  Part of the “Inspired in Hawaii” weekend event put on by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.  3pm – 4:30pm.
  • 05:00pm – Anahola Clubhouse hosts a book signing for The Magnificent Anahola Book, Kauai’s Mystic Hawaiian Village with author Aggie Marti-Kini from 5 to 7 pm.  $29.99 Price of Book; will go up in September.  For more info contact Agnes Marti-Kini, <keao@me.com>

Remember, all events listed above may be subject to change.  Please contact the venue beforehand if you plan on attending.  More events can be found on our Hawaii Book Blog Events Calendar.

If you have an event you would like us to help promote, please leave us a comment here or e-mail me at aalba@hawaiibookblog[dot]com.  Replace the [dot] with a ‘.’ when you compose the message.  Mahalo and have a great weekend!