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Celebrating The Big Island of Hawai'i's 2026 Heluhelu Quiz Bowl as a Fantastic Success
Here are some photos from our 2026-2027 Heluhelu Quiz Bowl that was held April in Waimea. Congratulations to all the Keiki that participated in this wonderful event. Mahalo to the volunteers and to our awesome Author Kristiana Kahakauwila. The event was so much fun and we are already planning next years event.
Winners:
1st place: Hawai’i Preparatory Academy - KaMakani Crashes the Underworld. (team with orange tees)
2nd place: The Pagemasters of Kailua-Kona Public Library - Not Your Average Book Club
3rd place: The Pagemasters of Kailua-Kona Public Library - The Bookworms
Our Author for this year's event was Kristiana Kahakauwila who charmed everyone with her presence and obvious connection with the keiki, including moving through the competing tables with questions such as “What superpower would you wish for?” (her book “Clairboyance” centers around a middle school girl who makes a wish on an umeke bowl to be able to know what boys are thinking!
The keiki work so hard all year on this event and we were so excited to see them having a great time and competing with other teams on this annual event.
For more information on joining with a team for 2027, volunteering or any other information for our Heluhelu Quiz Bowl, please see our link on the Friends of the Library - Waikōloa Region website.
Chapter's Monthly Book Review - The Keeper, by Tana French
This is the third and final novel in Tana French's Cal Hooper trilogy was published March 31, 2026. This story is another brilliant Irish noir and the only disappointment is that there will be no more in the series.
Unlike Adrian McKinty with his Sean Duffy series of eight novels stretching from 2012 to 2025, Tara French leaves Cal, retired Chicago transplant in Ardnakelty, Ireland, his fiancée Lena, his wild-child, rebellious stray teen Trey, and the townlandʻs host of small-town characters to live in a changed, tenuous atmosphere after the incomplete resolution of the death of a young woman and an obvious murder of of another farmer who dares to stand up to the townland’s ruling family.
French’s writing is superb, with the plot moving in murky waters of gossipy rumors, generational animosities, Guinness pint fueled pub arguments and even a brawl. Blame is cast on Cal, on his fiancée, on the fiancé of sweet Rachel who is found floating in the river with antifreeze in her system. As Cal fights back against the manipulating Tommy Moynihan, he is no longer an outsider In the townland, but is becoming a member, albeit a relative newcomer, learning to understand the nuances, the ebb and flow of small town life in Ardnakelty.
I recommend, of course, reading French’s two first novels in the series, The Hunter, and The Searcher, before The Keeper, but the third novel can be read as standalone. I bet you will go find the other two if you do read it first.
by David Giff
Update on Waikoloa's Library from West Hawai'i Today Article
from 4/28/2026 by John Burnett-Hawai'i Tribune Herald
It looks like, per an Article in West Hawai'i Today from John Burnett with Hawai'i Tribune Herald on 4/28/2026, that our Waikoloa Library is hopefully coming soon. Maybe as soon as 2028! The article stated that Governor Josh Green released $21M in State Funding towards building our Waikoloa Library. Friends of the Library is so very excited to see the library here in Waikoloa finally coming to fruition. It has been a project that so many people in this community have long dreamed of having our library completed. Please check this article out for details on this update to the Library!
Sending out another Shout Out to our Fabulous Platinum Contributors for their Generous Donations to our Friends of the Library - Waikoloa Region's 5K Walk/Run for Literacy Event for 2026-2027:
C.J. Kale
Waikoloa Development, Co.
Waikoloa Green, LLC
Waikoloa Reads has found a new location for their twice monthly meeting!
Bookmobile Notes
🚌 Volunteer Spotlight: April in Review
A heartfelt mahalo to our amazing volunteers! Your hard work is the true driving force behind the bookmobile, and we are incredibly fortunate to have you on the team. This past April, our dedicated crew logged a total of 62 hours, keeping our community connected through the joy of reading.
Want to join the fun? We are always looking for new faces to help us grow! If you have a passion for service, consider joining our team. We simply ask for a small commitment of 1–2 hours per week (ideally on a set day).
Contact: Reach out to us at bookmobile@flwrhi.org for more information or to sign up.
Keiki Spring Event
Thank you to all the wonderful young gardeners who joined us on Saturday, April 18th! We hope your plants are already starting to sprout and that you are enjoying the books you took home.
Our hands-on banner is coming along beautifully, but it needs the perfect finishing touch: a title! If a great idea comes to mind, be sure to leave me a note in the bookmobile so we can paint it on the banner.
Book Donation Reminders
A huge thank you to everyone who generously donates books! Your support helps us keep our collection vibrant and appealing for all our readers.
Because we have very limited space, we need to ensure our collection stays current and in great shape. To make sure we can accept and utilize your donations, please keep these quick guidelines in mind:
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Age Limit: Books should be less than 10 years old.
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Condition: Please ensure all donations are in clean, gently-used condition.
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What We Can't Accept: Textbooks, magazines, workbooks, and jigsaw puzzles.
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Drop-Off: Please hand donations directly to a volunteer or place them safely inside the bookmobile. (Items left outside the vehicle can easily be damaged!)
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Safety First: For the safety of our little ones, please make sure all children are accompanied by an adult at all times.
Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support of our collection!
— Donna Konie
Our new book acquisition will be placed in the Bookmobile. Look for this label on the book cover.
The bookmobile is open every day from 9am - 5pm (weather permitting)
Please return borrowed books to the donations bin inside the bookmobile.
Contact us at: bookmobile@flwrhi.org
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Waikoloa Library Updates
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Monthly Book and Beverage
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Bookmobile Notes
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Big Island Heluhelu Quiz Bowl
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Volunteers are Needed!
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FL-WR Board of Directors seeking new Director of Fundraising
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FL-WR Book Club Coordinator Needed
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If interested, please contact FL-WR Board President, Micheal Gaston at: president@flwrhi.org
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