Book signings by Shimabukuro

Star-Advertiser writer Betty Shimabukuro begins a series of book signings this weekend for her latest cookbooks, "By Request 2" and "Hawaii’s Holiday Cookbook" (the second written with Muriel Miura):

» Sunday: Noon, Borders Ward Centre; 2 p.m. Barnes & Noble Ala Moana

» Nov. 28: Noon, Borders Windward Mall

» Dec. 19: Noon, Borders Pearlridge

Both cookbooks are also available through www.staradvertiser.com (scroll down to the "Special Offer" box) or "By Request" may be purchased via the coupon on D8. A portion of proceeds benefit the Hawaii Foodbank.

Aid foodbank at supermarket

Customers of numerous markets statewide can lend a hand to the hungry via Hawaii Foodbank’s 17th annual Check-Out Hunger program.

From now through Jan. 10, 2011, shoppers can make donations with a coupon during check-out, in three amounts: $2.81 to feed a child breakfast for a week, $12.43 to feed a senior lunch for a month, and $16.84 to feed a family dinner for a week.

The amount of the coupon will be added to the bill and donated to one of the state’s food banks: Hawaii Foodbank, Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Branch, and the Food Basket on the Big Island.

Participants include Times Supermarkets and Safeway stores statewide, Don Quijote stores on Oahu, Tamura’s Market in Wahiawa and Hauula, Tamura Superette in Waianae, Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors on Oahu, Kokua Market Natural Foods Co-op and KTA Super Stores on the Big Island.

Eat a ‘rainbow’ for good health

Nutritional consultant Madhava Das will present a talk based on his book, "Forever the Rainbow: How the Colors of the Garden Can Save Your Life."

Das holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University and the T. Colin Campbell Foundation.

The free talk — to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park — is sponsored by the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. Call 944-8344 or visit www.vsh.org.

Big Isle event funds students

Some of the state’s top chefs will help celebrate Christmas at Kona Village on the Big Island early next month.

The 22nd annual event, presented by the American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association, will feature more than 20 chefs cooking locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine is to be accompanied by handcrafted ales, wines and 100 percent Kona coffee.

Proceeds will go toward scholarships for student culinarians on the Big Island.

Festivities run 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4. Tickets are $75; reserved tables of 10 are available for $1,000. Call (808) 329-2522.

Girl scout cookie alert

Love those Thin Mints and Tagalongs? Get a head start on ordering your favorite varieties from Monday through Dec. 24, and receive your cookie boxes starting Jan. 15, well before regular March cookie sales. Pick up your order at designated redemption locations listed at www.girlscouts-hawaii.org. To get connected to a troop to purchase cookies, e-mail gscookies@girlscouts-hawaii.org.