FLWRHI.ORG
01/09/2025
Chapter Newsletter
Friends of the Library – Waikoloa Region
2024 Annual Report
Aloha and Mahalo to Our Supporters
This year has been one of significant progress for the Friends of the Library – Waikoloa Region (FL-WR). Our shared efforts have brought us closer to the goal of establishing a public library and have supported a variety of programs that benefit our community.
Securing Funding for the Waikoloa Public Library
We are pleased to announce that the Hawaii State Legislature has approved $21 million for the construction of the new Waikoloa Public Library, which will include an Early Learning Center. This accomplishment is the result of a 15-year advocacy campaign and a strong community effort, including a letter-writing initiative.
The library will be located on a 2.6-acre site within the Kamakoa Nui Subdivision and will feature a 12,000-square-foot library, a 3,000-square-foot Early Learning Center, meeting rooms, parking, and space for 50,000 books.
We extend our thanks to State Representative David Tarnas, Senator Tim Richards, State Librarian Stacy Aldrich, and everyone who supported this project. As we move forward, we encourage ongoing engagement with state and county leaders to ensure timely progress.
Programs and Events Sponsored by FL-WR
This year’s programs promoted literacy, cultural awareness, and community
involvement. Highlights include:
Big Island Heluhelu Quiz Bowl (April 11, 2024)
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More than 80 students from 17 teams participated in this event, led by Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Craft as quizmaster. The event attracted over 100 attendees.
Aloha Shirt Talk Story with Dale Hope (January 10, 2024)
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About 50 guests learned about the history of Aloha Wear through Dale Hope’s presentation, which included a book giveaway for the “best shirt.”
Valentine-Making & Book Giveaway for Keiki (February 10, 2024)
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Sponsored by Johnny’s Restaurant, this event provided craft supplies for children to make Valentine’s hearts and free books with a holiday theme.
Tsunami Talk with Dr. Walter Dudley (November 14, 2024)
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Dr. Dudley’s talk on tsunami science and preparedness attracted a large audience eager to learn from one of Hawaii’s leading experts.
Garden Tour (October 19, 2024)
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In collaboration with West Hawaii Master Gardeners, this self-guided tour of six gardens raised more than $800 to purchase gardening books for the new library.
Baby’s First Book Program
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Hundreds of books were distributed to newborns through North Hawaii Community Hospital, encouraging early literacy. This year, the program received a $2,000 grant to expand its reach.
Looking Ahead
FL-WR has an exciting calendar planned for 2025, including the annual 5K Walk/Run for Literacy in February and other literacy and cultural programs. Volunteers and sponsors are needed for events like the Quiz Bowl and community workshops. Together, we are creating a library and a center for learning and connection.
Thank you for your continued support in bringing this vision to life.
Michael Gaston, President
Waikoloa Reads
NEW! FREE "drop everything and read!" parties for readers of all ages! Saturday, Jan. 11th & 25th @ 4:30-5:30 @ Kohala Coffee Company (in new shopping center). Families, teens, young adults, seniors! Mahalo to Kohala Coffee Company for hosting during their discounted "happy hour". A collaboration by Hawaiʻi Community College-Pālamanui and Friends of the Library-Waikoloa Region. Questions? Or let us know if youʻre coming: BigIslandReads@gmail.com
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5K Walk/Run for Literacy and Silent Auction
Join us in supporting literacy and life-long learning!
Mark your calendars! The 2025 5K Walk/Run for Literacy, hosted by Friends of the Library — Waikoloa Region (FL-WR), is set to take place on February 22, 2025 at Waikoloa Plaza. This much-anticipated event aims to raise funds for vital literacy programs in our community. We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s primary sponsor is Kohala Coffee Co. at the Waikoloa Plaza.
Event Overview
The 5K Walk/Run for Literacy is FL-WR’s largest fundraiser of the year, and it plays a critical role in funding programs that promote literacy and life-long learning. FL-WR is committed to building a more literate and engaged community through various initiatives, including:
Baby’s First Book: Distributing books at North Hawaii Community Hospital to promote early childhood literacy.
Big Island Heluhelu Quiz Bowl: A countywide academic reading competition where students from across the island compete.
Community Programs: Author talks, local history presentations, and other events that foster learning and community development.
The Bookmobile which serves as a hub for readers of all ages and offers access to a wide range of books.
Silent Auction
A silent auction will be held in conjunction with the Walk Run for Literacy - same time and place - and we would be delighted if you have framed art work, handmade crafts (new only), jewelry, certificates for services you can provide, or other items of value that you would like to contribute. If you like to bake, how about contributing a cookie or cake of the month. All funds from the sale of the items will go toward our community literacy programs. Please call or email Ruth Bernstone at 808-883-3809 or ruthflwr@gmail.com to arrange making your donations.
Call for Volunteers
The event’s success depends on our amazing volunteers! Event chair Cynthia Garcia, FL-WR’s Vice President, is looking for 40 volunteers to assist on the day of the event. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and support our shared goal of fostering a love of reading and learning.
Support Us Through Sponsorship
Are you a local business or individual looking to make a lasting impact? We’re offering several sponsorship opportunities for the event, and your support is vital to our mission.
$250 Sponsorship: Your name or business will be featured on the event’s commemorative T-shirt. We have space for up to 10 sponsors at this level.
$500 Sponsorship: Your name or business will be placed on the event banner. We have space for 8 sponsors at this level.
$1,000 Sponsorship: Gain prominent recognition with a large mention on the event banner. We’re accepting 4 sponsors at this level.
This is a wonderful opportunity to support a meaningful cause while gaining visibility within the community. For those of you that already have become sponsors thank you and know that your sponsorship is very much appreciated.
Join Us in Promoting Literacy
We invite everyone in the community to participate in the 5K Walk/Run for Literacy, whether as a runner, walker, volunteer, or sponsor. The registration website is up and running. A word to the wise - the commemorative T-shirt will be limited to the first 300 entries. So register as early as possible.
Together, we can help ensure that literacy and learning continue to thrive in our region.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer or sponsor, please contact president@flwrhi.org
Registration
Register on our website flwrhi.org or at https://www.kohalacoffeeco,com and click on the Library 5K link or scan the QR code below.
Hope to see you there.
Books and a Beverage
Books
Paradise of the Pacific: Approaching Hawaii, By Susanna Moore.
I met Ms. Moore at a dinner party at Onomea Bay over a decade ago. Seated next to her, she asked me what I did. When I said I was a librarian at Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy, she responded “Oh, we loved the bad boys of Kamuela!” She then told the less sanitized version of how HPA came to be: that in the 1940ʻs, it was established as essentially a reform school for boys who had been kicked out of Punahou, her alma mater.
I have been a fan of her work ever since. Living a fascinating life including hanging out with the likes of Joan Didion, she has split her time between the east coast and Hawaiʻi. Her most famous book is In the Cut, a 1995 thriller about New York that was adapted into a movie as well.In addition to several other novels, she also wrote a memoir/non-fiction called I Myself Have Seen It: the myth of Hawaiʻi. Paradise of the Pacific: Approaching Hawaii is my first suggestion when asked about histories of Hawaiʻi. Michenerʻs Hawaii, and Gavin Dawsʻ Shoal of Time are often what are suggested first. But Michenerʻs book was published in 1959 and Dawsʻ in 1974. Not to disparage those writings, but Mooreʻs book is a refreshingly more contemporary view of Hawaiʻiʻs history as well as eminently more readable.
Mooreʻs writing style has a novelistʻs flow, but this history is also well researched. Focusing on a theme of arrival, this history sheds fresh light on the influence over place, culture, and how our current world has been shaped by those who landed on these islands in the past. Moore describes the characters - the original Polynesian migrants, Englishmen, whalers, missionaries, Hawaiian royalty - and events of the past - Cookʻs death, the well-meaning intentions of the original missionaries, the Great Mahele, and through the annexation by the United States in 1898 - that have shaped Hawaiʻi today in this story. Moore doesnʻt shy from laying out the cultural losses - and whom to blame - of the kanaka maoli over these 120 years. This book is a great first read about the history and unique culture that is our Hawaiʻi as well as a refreshing new read for those of us who have studied Hawaiian history before.
Paradise of the Pacific: Approaching Hawaii is available at the FL-WR Bookmobile.
Beverage
Kuleana Rum Works
I suggest you try some locally made rum! Kuleana rums are made from heirloom sugar cane in Kohala, then distilled and blended into the excellent award winning Kuleana Rum varieties.
Visit the Kuleana Rum Shack in the Queenʻs Shops at Anaehoʻmalu Bay (great menu also) or try any of their cocktail recipes shown on their website - https://kuleanarum.com/recipes/
You can also attend classes and tours to learn more about their farm and rums.
david giff
Big Island Heluhelu Quiz Bowl
The Friends of the Library- Waikoloa Region is pleased to announce the 2024-25 event will be held on April 10, 2025 at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi in Pahoa. We are currently working on all the details to make it an even better event than this yearʻs event. We have secured an award-winning author as Quiz Master, and we'll make that announcement soon. We are currently looking for a team captain for a Waikoloa team, whether from Waikoloa School or any home-school or other group.
Bookmobile Notes
What fun was had by all who came to decorate their own little foam Christmas tree. We had 20 keiki show up. A very special thank you to the volunteers, Jill, Patti and Tanja for coming and helping with all the festivities.
Our next holiday keiki day will be Saturday, February 8th from 10 am until noon. We will be decorating Valentine's Day bookmarks and of course picking out a Valentine's Day themed book to go with it. here might even be some Valentine's Day candy to go with it. Looking forward to seeing you.
We have to give a many mahalos to all our amazing volunteers! Your hard work and dedication keep the bookmobile running smoothly. We couldn't do it without you! In December the volunteers worked 88 hours. You couldn't find a more dedicated group of volunteers! If you are interested in giving back to the community, we are always looking for volunteers. It is an hour or two one day a week; we only ask that it be the same day as much as possible. If you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at bookmobile@flwrhi.org
Looking for gardening tips? Join us on Saturday, January 11th, from 10 AM to 12 PM at the bookmobile. The Master Gardeners will be there to answer all your questions and offer expert advice. You can even get some seeds to start your garden.
A big thank you to everyone who has donated books! As a reminder, please ensure that donations are less than 10 years old and in good condition. We cannot accept textbooks or magazines. Audiobooks and DVDs are welcome, but please make sure all discs are included. CDs are not accepted. Please leave donations in the bookmobile or with a volunteer, not outside. And remember, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- 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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