Frank A. Haas has become the new chair of the Hawaii Book and Music Festival, replacing founding chair Blair Collis. Haas, of Kailua, is director for strategic development and acting assistant dean of the University of Hawai'i Schol of Travel Inudstry Management and a former vice president of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. Collis, of the Bishop Museum Press, was lauded by board members for his service in the first three years of the festival.

The 2009 festival is set for May 16 and 17. The festival Web site, hawaiibookandmusicfestival.org, features photos and reports on the 2008 event, which drew 30,000 attendees (up 50 percent from the previous year) and will include updates as plans proceed for next year's festival.