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New releases by Hawaii authors

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"The Koreans in Hawaii -- A Pictorial History" by Roberta W. S. Chang with Wayne Patterson (University of Hawaii , $12.95)

You'd think that every ethnic group in Hawaii has had a centennial book out, but no, they keep on coming. This one is well-illustrated but poorly printed -- the highlights are blown out in every picture. Chang's text is crisp and to-the-point.

"But First Do No Harm" by George Druger (Vantage, $12.95) Honolulu doctor Druger has spun a kind of ethical fable disguised as a medical thriller. It's awkward and expository, but he's clearly thought hard about the central dilemma.

"Staring Down the Dragon" by Dorothea N. Buckingham (Sydney, $10.95) The slim-novel equivalent of a well-meaning afterschool special, this story of a Kailua High cancer survivor is told with economy and grace. Young adults and teens will find it hard to put down.

"Everybody Loves Ramen" by Eric Hites (Andrews McMeel, $10.95) Yes, we do. This little book is full of helpful hints on making ramen even tastier, plus various "fun facts" and other friendly filler. Alas, this book wasn't published or written locally. That's because ramen is a college-student staple.

"From Nowhere to Somewhere on a Roundtrip Ticket" by James W. Betts (Scrapbook, price unknown) Honolulu businessman Betts has constructed a charming and good-humored memoir, and the man has the good sense to include lots of train pictures and not get to wordy in his anecdotes.

"Khalifah" by John Elray (Aardwolfe, $14.95) Although this was released last year, it likely qualifies as summer reading -- a dense, plot-driven historical romance about 7th-century Persia. Aiea publisher Aardwolfe needs to pay a little more attention to typography, however.

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Reviewed by Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.com

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Send items at least two weeks in advance of publication to 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or fax 529-4750.

STORYTELLING

Barnes & Noble
10:30 a.m. Tuedays; and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Call 737-3323.
Borders Waikele
10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Call 676-6699.
Borders Ward Centre
10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 11a.m. Saturdays. Call 591-8995.
Hawaii State Library
10:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at the library's Edna Allyn Room for Children. Keiki of all ages are welcome. Call 586-3510.
Kaimuki Public Library
10:30 to 10:50 a.m. Thursdays at the library. For toddlers and their accompanying adult; led by children's librarian Sandra Hall. No signup needed. Call 733-8423.

WORKSHOPS/LECTURES

"Rainbow Pigeons"
3 p.m. July 2 at the Pearl City Public Library. Join Doug Beter as he shares information about his pigeons and their pastel-colored feathers. Participants will get to watch Beter release the birds and let them fly away from the library. Free. Call 453-6566.
Reading/Critiquing Workshop
10 a.m. July 5 at the Aina Haina Public Library. Join the Romance Writers of America at this free workshop. Call 735-9610.

SPECIAL

First Thursday
8 p.m. every first Thursday of the month at Studio1, 1 N. King St. Two-time Wordstew Poetry Slam champion Steve Kealoha Wong hosts a monthly competition to develop the talent of local slam artists; a $100 cash prize will be awarded to each month's top poet. Cost: $3 before 8 p.m., $5 after. Call 387-9664.

CONTINUING

AAUW Multicultural Book Group
6:30 to 8 p.m. every fourth Monday of the month. Call 537-4702 for location.
African American Literary Book Group
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every second and fourth Monday of the month at 1132 Bishop St., Suite 1404. Call 528-5037 to confirm attendance and book title.
Bestsellers Reading Group
Meets at 7 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at Borders Waikele; 676-6699.
Crafts and Stories: 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Barnes & Noble; call 737-3323.
Book Sale
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays; also 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the Kaneohe Public Library. The Friends of Kaneohe Library offer a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for all ages. Call 233-5676.
International Women's Writing Guild
Bring your muse, pen and notebook. 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month at Borders Waikele; call 676-7820.
Literature Readers Group
Meets at 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at Borders Ward Centre; call 591-8995.
Moonlight Storytellers
7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month. Novice and experienced storytellers are welcome to swap tales and develop storytelling skills at these informal meetings. Call Vicky Dworkin at 262-2049 for topics and locations.
Online FunBarnes & Noble author chat room at www.barnesandnoble.com or America Online (keyword: bn). Call Elke Villa at (212) 414-6157 or e-mail evilla@bn.com.
Open Mic
Poets and writers are welcome to share their works, 7 p.m. every third Friday of the month at Barnes & Noble; call 737-3323.
The "Other" Reading Group
7 p.m. every last Tuesday of the month at Borders Waikele; call 676-6699.
Poetry Writers Circle
7 p.m. every third Thursday of month at Borders Ward Centre; call 596-8194.
Romance Readers Anonymous
6:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at Borders Waikele; call 676-6699.
Romantic Borders Readers Group
7 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at Borders Ward Centre; call 591-8995.
"Sammath Naur"
The Mythopoeic Society of Hawaii meets every third Saturday of the month to discuss fantasy, science fiction and other literature; 638-7497.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Group
7 p.m. every last Thursday of the month at Borders Ward Centre; call 591-8995.
Spiritual Book Club
10 a.m. Thursdays in Hawaii Kai. Sponsored by Church of Keauhou. The club is currently studying Dr. Phil's book "Self Matters" during its meetings. Call Sue at 988-8618 for details.
Writers Support Group
3 p.m. every first Friday of the month at Borders Waikele; call 676-6699.

NOTICES

Call for Submissions
Hybolics is currently accepting submissions for an upcoming "Gen X Local" issue. Original poems, plays, stories, songs, raps, artwork, comic strips, essays and other works may be sent to Hybolics, Inc., attn: Gen X Local Anthology, P.O. Box 3016, Aiea 96701. E-mail hybolics@lava.net.

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