The new Manoa Public Library will be dedicated in a grand opening ceremony and program on Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. This new environmentally-friendly Library will officially open following the ceremony.
"Manoa Public Library offers creative & innovative design features including natural lighting, photovoltaic panels, water-efficient fixtures, recaptured water for irrigation, and landscaping composed entirely of native plants," said State Librarian Richard Burns. "The State will seek Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Silver Certification or higher from the U.S. Green Building Council for this Library."
The $10.3 million, 29,425-square-foot Library is located at 2716 Woodlawn Drive, the site of the original Library. It replaces the former 6,500-square-foot building that was built for a small community and opened on August 23, 1966. The original Library closed its doors for the last time on July 2, 2009.
On August 1, 2009, approximately 150 library lovers of all ages helped move books from the original library to the interim Library at Noelani Elementary School in the popular 'Manoa Library Book Brigade.' A groundbreaking ceremony for the new library was conducted on October 17, 2009, and the original building was demolished soon after.
Hawaii Self Storage-Kaimuki, through the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, generously provided Manoa Public Library with free air-conditioned locker storage for library materials while the new Library was being built.
In addition, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) has donated $5,000 to the state Library System for Manoa Public Library to purchase books, DVDs, and CDs. A special bookplate crediting HECO will be placed in each title purchased with these funds.
"These generous donations helped librarians tremendously," said Christel Collins, Branch Manager of Manoa Public Library. "We were able to safely store library materials during our closure and now that we are opening, we can expand the library's collection in all areas and purchase needed materials. "Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Self Storage (Kaimuki) and the Hawaiian Electric Company for their generosity."
The grand opening program will feature congratulatory messages presented by Governor Neil Abercrombie, State Senator Brian Taniguchi, State Representative Isaac Choy, Board of Education Chairperson Donald Horner, State Librarian Richard Burns, and Andrew Wertheimer of the Friends of Manoa Library; a traditional Hawaiian blessing and untying of the maile lei led by Mahealani Wong, Kahuna Kakalaleo of Na Waa Lani Kahuna o Puu Kohola; a reprise of the successful "Manoa Library Book Brigade," this time from the interim Library site to the new Library led by Senator Taniguchi and other dignitaries; and a musical prelude of Hawaiian music performed by Kaipo Dabin and Company.
Children's activities and entertainment will follow with performances by Ed Lee (slack key guitar), "Uncle Wayne" Watkins and the Howling Dog Band (children and family music), and jazz musicians Dean Taba and Jim Howard.
The new Library doubles the area available for library materials, public computers, and parking stalls. Among the Library's features are: 1,000-square-feet of solar panels that will generate at least 16.6% of the library's electrical needs, a high efficiency air-conditioning system, free Wi-Fi, a computer laptop area, a separate Programming Room, and covered parking for cars and bicycles. The new Manoa Public Library was designed by Architecture Plus, Inc. and built by Allied Pacific Builders.
Community efforts to expand the original library building began in 1980 when then State Senator Neil Abercrombie introduced legislation that proposed an appropriation to enlarge Manoa Public Library. What followed was 25 years of persistence by community leaders, particularly Senator Taniguchi who was determined to enlarge the library to meet the growing community's needs. In 2005, Senator Taniguchi and then-Representative Kirk Caldwell helped secure an appropriation of $6.5 million for the expansion or replacement of the Library which was passed by the State Legislature. These funds were released in 2006 by Governor Linda Lingle, and additional funds of $3.8 million were released in 2007.
In 2007, Senator Taniguchi and then-Representative Caldwell responded to the Manoa community by appropriating $600,000 for interim public library space which was passed by the Legislature. The funds were used to purchase two portable buildings that served as an Interim Manoa Public Library and will later be used as school classrooms for Noelani Elementary School. The temporary Manoa Public Library opened on August 8, 2009.
The new Manoa Public Library's telephone number is 988-0459. Public service hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.; and Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.