Friends of the Library  –  Waikoloa Region, Hawaii provides a learning resource center and a gathering place via a transitional bookmobile until a permanent library facility is built in Waikoloa. We operate Programs that support literacy in the Waikoloa Community. Our objectives, once the library is built and operating are:

• To assist in maintaining the Waikoloa Regional Library

• To increase the library’s holdings by securing materials beyond the scope of ordinary library budget

• To encourage and accept donations of new or gently used books, monetary donations and other appropriate material that can enrich the cultural opportunities available to the people of Hawai’i

 

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Executive Board

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Michael Gaston, President

Michael is a retired library director.  He led efforts to form the Siuslaw Library District and the Deschutes Public Library District, both in Oregon.  He is a past president of the Oregon Library Association.

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Ruth Bernstone, Vice President

Ruth has lived in Waikoloa Village for 27 years and is a retired CPA.  She is one of the founding members and past President of Friends of the Library - Waikoloa Region.  She is currently the Grant Manager, a member of the Big Island Heluhelu Quiz Bowl Committee as well as managing Baby's First Book program.  Ruth loves practicing tai chi, reading, baking and doing puzzles.

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Cindy Evans, Director

Cindy Evans has extensive experience in community relations and leadership. Cindy previously served as Hawai’I State Representative and Hawai’I County Councilmember.  She represented a diverse district of cattle ranches, farmers, astronomy industry, and famous five star resorts along the Kohala Coast.  She held leadership positions specific to Economic Development, Water and Land, Military Affairs and Public Safety. Cindy Evans brings extensive experience in real estate development and management, including. living overseas in Malaysia as part of a development team building private hospitals. Cindy has served as Trustee of Historic Hawai’i Foundation, President, Waikoloa Village Outdoor  Circleand  Board Member of Mental Health Kokua. She currently serves as a Board member of Malama Pono Kohala and FLWR.

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Jill McElroy, Director

​I’m a retired Commercial and Personal Lines Service Manager. Been in Insurance for nearly 40 years. Living on Hawai’i Island for six years. Volunteering for The Bookmobile for a couple of years.

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Kathleen Huckabay, Director

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Penny Stevenson, Director

Penny Stevenson has been a volunteer for the Waikoloa Bookmobile for 5 years and has been involved with training new volunteers. She moved from Sonoma county, Northern California six years ago to Waikoloa Village. Prior to her retirement she worked for Marin County Office of Education in the business department as an accountant handling school budgets and statistical reports submission to the state.

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David Giff, Director

David is a retired elementary classroom teacher and K-8 librarian.  He has been participating in the Newbery and Heluhelu Quiz Bowls since 2009, and is currently on the Heluhelu steering committee.  He is also a volunteer for The Marine Mammal Center, responding to Monk Seal haul-outs.  An unapologetic reader, he also enjoys bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and a never ending amount of yard work.

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Lee Morris, Director

I’m a retired nurse and have owned property in the village for 20 years and moved here in 2016. I play golf a couple of times a week. I joined the FL-WL to help make our community a better place to live. 

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Donna Konie, Treasurer

I am a retired middle school math and science teacher, though I still substitute teach at Waikoloa School.  Besides being Treasurer for FL-WR I also manage the bookmobile and help plan the events that happen there.   As a teacher, I know the importance of  libraries and books, volunteering with Friends of the Library is my way of sharing my love of books.

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Florence Pike, Secretary

Florence is a southern California native and was an Orange County educator for 35 years. She
is a proud, long-time member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. In California she was a Master
Gardner and also served as a docent at Moorten’s Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs. Since
relocating to Waikoloa in 2016 she now has the West Hawaii Master Gardener Certificate.​​​​​