SPECIAL

STATE LIBRARY FURLOUGH DAYS: libraries closed: Dec. 24 and 31.

PASSPORT APPLICATION SERVICE HOURS EXTENDED, acceptance of DS-11 passport application forms, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays; Hawai'i State Library, Federal Documents Section, second floor (Punchbowl Street side); information, 586-3477, or http://librarieshawaii.org/services/passport1.htm

KAHUKU BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE (during renovation closure of Kahuku Public & School Library): 12:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Sunset Beach Christian School, Hale'iwa; and 2-4 p.m. Dec. 21, Kuilima Estates (Turtle Bay Condominiums-West), next to mailboxes; information, 293-8935.

UPCOMING

"THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FATHER DAMIEN," one-hour performance by Terence Knapp; 2 p.m. Dec. 20, Kaimukí Public Library, Adult Reading Room; suitable for all ages; information, 733-8422.

"THE FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HAWAI'I," one of a series of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Volcano House "Fireside Stories," this month with artist/educator/author Leilehua Yuen; 7-8 p.m. Dec. 25, Volcano House lobby, Big Island; free; no reservations required; information, 808-967-8222.

BOOK SIGNINGS

"MEET MAUI AUTHORS"/BOOK SIGNING, with Judi Riley ("When I Am Quiet on Maui") and Cooper Riley ("Absolutely Awesome Island Animals in Hawaiian and English"), 1-4 p.m. Dec. 23, Maui Ocean Center, Ma'alaea Harbor, Maui; information, 808-214-0645.

LIBRARY CHANGES

KAHUKU PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY (and book drop) closed for renovations through Jan. 11; library materials may be returned to other public libraries or the Kahuku Bookmobile; information, 293-8935.

PÄHOA PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY, Big Island, will re-open 1 p.m. Dec. 21; hours 1-8 p.m. Mondays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; information, 808-965-2171.

KAILUA, KONA, PUBLIC LIBRARY, Big Island, has changed Tuesday hours to noon-7 p.m. (instead of 11 a.m.-7 p.m.); rest of schedule unchanged; information, 808-327-4327

AWARDS, CONTESTS

ANNUAL PLAYWRITING CONTEST, sponsored by Kumu Kahua Theatre and University of Hawai'í-Mänoa theater department, in three categories: Hawai'i and Pacific/Rim related stories, open to residents/nonresidents , and a resident category; deadline, Jan. 4; information/flier, 536-4222; information, www.kumukahua.org.

STUDENTS' STAR POETS CONTEST, sponsored by Windward Community College and Hawai'i Council for the Humanities, for students in grades 3-12, statewide; prizes for students and schools; deadline, Jan. 29; entry forms/rules, www.windward.hawaii.edu/poets; information, 236-9231. .

ELLIOT CADES AWARD, the Hawai'i Literary Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2009 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature for an established writer and for an emerging writer; includes 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 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 fundraiser for state libraries; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; information, 536-4174.

KAHUKU BOOKMOBILE, offers books, compact discs, audiobooks and free Internet access on Mondays to holders of a state library card; information, 293-8935.

YWCA BROWN-BAG LUNCH BOOK CLUB, 12-1:30 p.m. third Tuesday monthly; Laniäkea (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

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

• Preschool storytime, for ages 3-5 (with caregiver), with stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and make-and-take craft sessions; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, through April, 2010.

• 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 inclu ded 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.