The big news for us is that next week, Hawaii Book Blog will be on vacation (and as a result, hiatus) in the Land of the Rising Sun!  Misty and I will both be in Tokyo for our very first trip to Japan.  We’re both very excited!  In the meantime, this means there will not be a Book End post next Friday.  If you have any upcoming events for the next week that you would like us to promote, please send me an email at aalba@hawaiibookblog[dot]com before March 2, 2009.  Otherwise, to keep up with events, please view our Event Calendar found on the navigation bar directly below the header image.

We will try our best to queue up some posts and tweets during the week to help promote the events that we do have listed already, but we apologize if we miss anything.  For the most part we will be enjoying the food, culture and shopping found in Tokyo.  Mahalo to all of our readers for visiting!

Also, don’t forget that we are also participating in the First Book-Oahu Book Fair & Fundraiser at Barnes & Noble Kahala.  We’ll be back in time to do another rec-fest at the bookstore on Saturday, March 13* (we’ll also likely be there Sunday).  For more information, view this post.  Don’t forget, if we can get 20 more fans on Facebook or 50 Retweets on Twitter of our tweets promoting this event then we will purchase and donate all of the books we review that day to First Book-Oahu.  It’s a great cause, and you can help spread the word of promoting literacy in our keiki by helping us out.

Now on to this weekend’s events.

Friday, February 26

  • 10:30am – AARP Tax-Aide at Aina Haina Public Library.  AARP Tax-Aide provides free personal income tax assistance and preparation to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older.  10:30am – 2pm, free.  For more info call 377-2456.
  • 04:00pm – Author event at Barnes & Noble Kahala from 4pm – 6pm.  The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators will have a signing event with many talented authors and illustrators such as Kathi Appelt, James Rumford, Tammy Yee and Scott Goto.  More Info

Saturday, February 27

  • 09:30am – Writing Retreat at the Windward Community College from 9:30am to 2pm.  Anyone over 16 is welcome to attend. Bring writing materials, a sack lunch, and perhaps a mug for coffee or tea. A food contribution for the morning snack table is welcome, but it is not necessary.  More info
  • 10:00am – It’s children’s storytime at Barnes & Noble, Lahaina on Maui.  “Bring mom and dad to our special Saturday Storytime fun that is sure to create smiles and laughter.”  More info
  • 10:30am – A showing of “Keiko & Louie: Best Best Friends (Mostly)” at the Hawaii State Library.  Honolulu Theatre for Youth brings a 30-minute interactive play to public libraries statewide. The free production, “Keiko and Louie: Best Best Friends (Mostly)” uses humor, movement and audience participation to tell a tale that deals with the trials and tribulations of friendship.
  • 10:30am – It’s Tofu Haiku time at Kapolei Library!  Contest winners will be announced during the “Tofu Haiku” program which will also feature a performance by Nyla Fujii-Babb, an award-winning and renowned storyteller. Attendees will also be able to sample various tofu dishes.  More info
  • 11:00am – It’s Children’s Storytime at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana!  What sleeping creatures are napping in Granny’s house?  A reading of The Napping House by Audry and Don Wood.  More Info

Sunday, February 28

  • 10:00am – The Poetry Out Loud – Hawai’i 2010 Competitions will be held: semifinals from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and finals from 2-5 p.m. Free and open to the public.  More Info
  • 12:00pm – Poetry reading and African drumming and dancing in celebration of Black History Month on Maui.  Go to Borders Books & Music store in Maui Marketplace to enjoy this cultural event.  More info

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 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!

*correction from Sunday, March 14.