Friends of the Library of Hawaii

Promoting and supporting Hawai‘i's public libraries

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Call for Nominations: The 2024 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature

Brandy Nālani McDougall, Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate & 2023 Elliot Cades Award for Literature recipient

We are excited to share this announcement from The Cades Foundation and The Hawaiʻi Literary Arts Council: Nominations are now open for the 2024 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature, the most prestigious literary honor in Hawaiʻi. Nominations will be accepted until July 1, 2025. 

 The Elliot Cades Awards for Literature has been presented annually since 1988. The awards were established by Charlotte and J. Russell Cades in memory of J. Russell’s brother, Elliot, a teacher and lover of literature. The awards are administered by the Hawaiʻi Literacy Arts Council, which was founded in 1974 to encourage and promote literature and literary activity in Hawaiʻi. 

 The awards are given to two writers whose published work demonstrates high literary quality. The first award is given to an established artist with a substantial body of work, and the second award is given to an emerging writer whose work shows great promise. The awards are accompanied by a substantial monetary prize. View past awardees here.

 Nominations should consist of a letter of nomination and supporting materials(s), including published work, which will be used during the judging process. Work relating to life in Hawaiʻi is sought, but so is fine literary writing of any kind by current or former residents of Hawaiʻi. Nominees can be poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists, or others associated with the literary arts in Hawaiʻi. Previous winners are not eligible.  

 Nominations and supporting materials must be mailed to the Hawaiʻi Literary Arts Council, and be received by July 1, 2025. For more info, please contact simondsj001@hawaii.rr.com or mleidemann@gmail.com. 

Filed Under: 6-Blog, Announcement, Uncategorized

76th Annual Booksale

76th Annual • July 12-20, 2025

An island tradition for 76 years . . .

THE SALE takes place this July at 200 Keawe Street in Kakaʻako Makai.  The Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i (FLH) – 76th Annual Booksale is presented by Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union (HSFCU). The 200 Keawe Street address is the former Re-use Hawaiʻi in Kakaʻako and, if you remember the FLH Harbor Warehouse from a decade ago, we hosted our smaller book and music sales there.

At Hawai‘i’s largest used booksale, you can choose from over 125,000 books in every category imaginable!

Since 1947, the FLH Annual Sale has invited Hawai‘i residents to browse selections of new and used, out-of-print and bestselling books and media. Three quarters of a century later, the sale is an island tradition and each summer thousands readers of all ages and backgrounds converge for 11 days of bargains and a selection of titles to rival any bookstore.

Encompassing much more than books, the booksale will feature a selection of CDs, DVDs, comics and manga, and many more hard-to-find items. The sale will not feature artwork this year.
Mahalo nui loa to the Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union, our title sponsor, as well as to our other valued sponsors who include, Pension Services Corporation, Hawai‘i, Renée B. Fisher Foundation, and Rezents & Crowley, LLP. Mahalo to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for allowing us to use this warehouse location.

Parking at the Sale

There is plentiful free parking at the warehouse at 200 Keawe Street. Enter from Keawe Street.


Volunteer at the Sale

Looking to help out?  We have a variety of positions available, please see our SignUp.com button below for more details!

Click to View Volunteer Opportunities on SignUp


FLH Membership

Support your public libraries through their Friends. Memberships are tax deductible and show your staunch support for our public libraries. The FLH EIN# is 99-6003670.

Become a member or renew your membership now. Mahalo for your Support!

Members GET IN EARLY
Members of Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union get in early on Friday, June 13 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. for a members’ preview night. The first 500 through the door get a free tote bag. Renew or become a member today! Not sure if your membership is still valid? Call us at (808) 536.4174 or email us.

HSFCU Membership

Visit the Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union website to learn more. FLH members may now join Hawai‘i State FCU!

Filed Under: Announcement, Annual Booksale, Features, Frontpage, Latest News, Sales

Government Cuts to Library Funding

Federal Cuts to Library Funding
State Cuts to Library Funding


Federal Cuts to Library Funding

Federal funding for our public libraries is being eliminated. Learn more about what’s going on and what you can do to support our libraries.

What’s going on?
What does this mean for Hawaiʻi libraries?
What can we do?

What’s going on?

May 7 update: A lot has happened since our last update on the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Here’s where we stand, and how you can help protect the future funding for our libraries.

In March, the Administration issued an Executive Order to eliminate the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Since then, all staff members except one were placed on leave.

On May 1, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order to halt the Executive Order. This ruling temporarily prevents any further actions that would affect staff or grants.

We hope that the already budgeted 2025 IMLS funds will be released.

On May 2, the White House released a budget proposal that would fully eliminate IMLS for fiscal year 2026.

Congress has the power to protect IMLS and funding for libraries in the federal budget, and the Senate and the House are currently deliberating the proposed budget cuts.

Please urge our members of Congress to sign “Dear Appropriator” letters in support of federal funding for libraries. (“Deal Appropriator” letters go to the Appropriations Committees to support using for specific programs, and signing a “Dear Appropriator” letter is the best way for a congressperson to demonstrate their commitment to a specific program.) These letters close in mid-May, so we need to act now.

The American Library Association tracks which Senators and Representatives have signed “Dear Appropriator” letters for library funding. Of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation, Senators Hirono and Schatz have signed on to supporting library funding in the next fiscal year. (Please thank them for supporting library funding!)

Please contact your Representative and ask them to include funding for IMLS through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the fiscal year 2026 budget.

You can find contact info for Representative Case and Representative Tokuda below.

Representative Ed Case
2210 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Email

Phone: (202) 225-2726

Representative Jill Tokuda 
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20003
Email

Phone: (202) 225-4906


On March 14, 2025, the President issued an Executive Order eliminating, to the maximum extent consistent with the law, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is an independent federal agency, and it is the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services. On March 20, 2025, the President, along with DOGE, appointed a new Acting Director at IMLS. IMLS gave out $295 million in 2024, or .0046% of the U.S. federal budget.

The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System (HSPLS) receives approximately $1.5 million in funding from IMLS through the Library Services and Technology Act – Grants to States Programs. HSPLS uses these funds to ensure access to the internet, technology, collections, and digital and physical resources that support reading and learning. This includes ebooks, audio books, and databases for research and learning. 

HSPLS is not the only Hawaiʻi institution that receives IMLS funding. In fiscal year 2024, 9 other organizations in Hawaiʻi received funding from IMLS.  

What does this mean for Hawaiʻi libraries?

The loss of IMLS funds does NOT mean that our public libraries will close. HSPLS is a state agency funded by our state legislature. The state is responsible for the facilities, staff, and collections (i.e., the books and resources on the shelves in the library). 

However, library services will be impacted. HSPLS uses federal funds to pay for the databases and many of the licenses and subscriptions to digital services found under the “Learn” and “Research” tabs on the HSPLS website as well as the library catalog. IMLS funds are also used for special projects and programs, including purchasing technology hardware and computer literacy training. The state library budget is tight, and HSPLS will have to make cuts in some areas to replace IMLS funding for items like the catalog that is critical to the functioning of the library system.

This Executive Order would eliminate future funds. Services may not be immediately impacted, but the library will not be able to renew services funded through IMLS. It will not be possible for Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi to replace $1.5 million in HSPLS’s annual budget. It is unknown whether the state legislature would be able to replace some or all of IMLS funding.

What can we do?

First and foremost, please continue to visit your public library and use library services. Utilization shows the important role libraries play in our communities.  

Next, we implore Congress to enact a law that overrides the Executive Order. In conjunction with the State Librarian’s open letter, FLH has written a letter to Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation. Please join us in telling congress to protect IMLS and our libraries. There is power in collective action, and together we can make our voices heard. 

Here are 3 easy steps to write to our Senators and Representatives.  

Step 1: Identify your congressional representatives  

You can write to both Hawai’i Senators, Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz. You should only write to your Representative, Ed Case or Jill Tokuda. 

You can enter your home address here to find your Representative. 

Step 2: Write an email or letter  

Explain why Congress must protect IMLS and why libraries are important to you. We recommend a short and succinct message. For more information on writing to congress, check out this resource from the U.S. Capitol.  

If you need a little help, we have created a template letter that you can customize. We recommend making it personal and including how any reduction in library services will impact you. We have made the template available in Google Doc, Microsoft Word, and as a PDF.

If you plan to email your letter, you can copy and paste the template into an email. If you plan to mail your letter, edit the template, print it, and grab an envelope and stamp. 

Step 3: Send your letter  

You can find the emails and mailing addresses of Hawai’i congressional representatives below. 

Senator Mazie Hirono 
109 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, DC 20510
Email 

Senator Brian Schatz
722 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, DC 20510
Email 

Representative Ed Case
2210 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Email

Representative Jill Tokuda 
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20003
Email

Now what?

Here are 5 other things you can do: 

  1. Amplify your message by calling Congress and participating in town halls. 
  2. Encourage your family and friends to write to their congressional representatives in support of IMLS. 
  3. Sign EveryLibrary’s petition telling Congress to stop Trump’s Executive Order attacks on Federal Funding for Libraries.
  4. Follow the American Library Association for updates.
  5. Follow the Hawai’i Library Association for updates.


State Cuts to Library Funding

What’s going on?
What does this mean for Hawaiʻi libraries?
What can we do?

Whatʻs Going On?

April 28 – The conference session between the Ways and Means (WAM) and Finance (FIN) committees has completed and the legislators have restored the funding to the positions as well as the facility projects. The approved budget will be presented to the Governor. Mahalo for all of the support to get the budget bill to this point. We hope that the Governor accepts the bill with full funding for the libraries.

April 16 – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature is in conference session to finalize the Biennium State Budget – the budget through 2027. The current Senate draft HB300_SD1 includes eliminating 24.5 staff positions from the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System as well as cuts to funding for facilities projects.

The State Senate would like to cut these positions because they have been vacant for an extended period of time. However, most of these positions were not funded by the legislature until the current 2024-25 funding cycle. A couple of the positions were recently filled. Other positions are at branches closed for renovation and the libraries have been holding off on hiring until those branches re-open.

The libraries are already set to lose $1.5Million in Federal funds (see the Federal funding section).

What Does This Mean for Hawaiʻi Libraries? – We donʻt want to lose ANY positions at our already understaffed library system. Many rural branches are already on the brink of closure if a staff member calls out sick! Six months ago, in Fall 2024, Civil Beat ran an article, “Job Cuts Could ‘Permanently Impact’ Hawaii’s Struggling Libraries,” about a similar push by the Department of Budget & Finance to cut vacant positions. Once lost, staff positions are very difficult to reinstate. Since funding was released this year, library administration has been working as quickly as possible to go through state hiring processes to fill these positions.

What Can We Do? – Please Call or Email your Hawaiʻi legislators and ask them to retain library staffing and funding at this critical juncture. The increasing potential for economic hardship will mean more people will rely on our library resources as the one free-and-open-to-all institution in every community. We need to ensure that the branches are staffed and open to serve.

Need help knowing what to say? Here are a few ideas:

  1. Ask them to restore funding for library staff positions, noting the budget bill, HB300, and that most of the positions were only recently fully funded and that it takes time to fill positions.
  2. Encourage them to provide the requested Health and Safety funding for FY27, so that library building projects can continue and be completed. 
  3. Share your support for your public library, and tell a brief personal story about why it matters to you.

Find your legislator

Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi is also working to make sure that there are enough librarians to fill those open positions. We haver recently doubled our funding for Scholarships to students in the UH Master of Library and Information Science program to $50,000!


Filed Under: 6-Blog, Announcement, Uncategorized

2024 Legislator of the Year

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

We are honored to present the Mahalo Award to State Senator Lynn DeCoite as the 2024 Legislator of the Year. The Mahalo Award is presented annually to a state legislator who has demonstrated exemplary support of Hawai‘i’s public libraries during the prior legislative session.

Senator DeCoite has been involved in the state legislature since 2015 when she was appointed to represent District 13 the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives. Since 2021 she has represented District 7 in the Hawaiʻi State Senate. In addition to her commitment to increasing food production in our islands, protecting our environment, advocating for greater access to affordable housing and reliable inter-island transportation, Senator DeCoite is a leader in promoting literacy and elevating the public libraries in her district, including the Lānaʻi Public Library, the Hāna Public & School Library, Makawao Public Library and the Molokaʻi Public Library. 

Senator DeCoite’s support for the libraries and literacy extends far beyond the 2024 legislative session. Since 2019 she has promoted childhood literacy through ‘Ohana Readers, an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that offers free, monthly, age-appropriate books to Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hāna keiki ages under the age of five. The program was launched as an initiative of then First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige in partnership with then Representative DeCoite, the Learning to Grow program of the state Department of Human Services, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, and Read to Me International.

It’s been a pleasure to work with Senator DeCoite to bring books into the homes of her constituents through the ‘Ohana Readers program,” said Nainoa Mau, Executive Director of Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi. “We are delighted to honor her with the Mahalo Award as our 2024 Legislator of the Year.”

Senator DeCoite knows the power a library has to be a community resource, and she has been an advocate for the renovations at the Molokaʻi Public Library to make it a bright and welcoming place for residents to learn and gather. And she has promoted the free employment training resources at the Molokaʻi Public Library, which is a partnership between Goodwill Hawaiʻi, the American Job Center, and the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System.

State Librarian Stacey Aldrich remarked, “Senator DeCoite cares deeply about her community and the library, and works to build bridges to make it a resource for all.

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

Senator DeCoite was honored by Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi at their Annual Meeting on February 19, 2025 at the Hawai‘i State Library. Additionally, copies of her favorite book, Curious George by H. A. Rey, will be donated to the Molokaʻi Public Library and the Hawaiʻi State Library in her honor.

Filed Under: Announcement, Mahalo Award - Legislator of the Year, Uncategorized Tagged With: Legislator of the Year, Mahalo Award, Senator Lynn DeCoite

2024 Librarian of the Year and Excellence in Service Awards

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

We were honored to once again present the Public Librarian of the Year (LOTY) and Excellence in Service (EIS) Awards to exceptional staff members of the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System. The LOTY/EIS program is generously sponsored by Native Books Nā Mea Hawaiʻi.

Awardees were nominated by library patrons and selected by a FLH committee based on their outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to promoting libraries and their place in the community. The committee recognized two awardees for each category at a reception at the Hawaiʻi State Library during the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi Annual Membership Meeting on February 19, 2025.

Surrounded by family, co-workers, and well-wishers, the awardees were congratulated by Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and honored with Special Recognition Certificates by their State Legislators and Council Members. Each awardee received a personal cash award, a Makana Akamai donation in their honor to purchase books and materials for their respective libraries, and a gift card and copy of “Nā Ala Kūpuna o Kaʻū: Place Names and Legends” from Native Books Nā Mea Hawaiʻi.

Librarian of the Year Awardees

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

Jennifer Kau’i Young, Kailua-Kona Public Library
Kau’i is the Children’s Librarian at the Kailua-Kona Public Library. As a
Children’s Librarian and a community advocate, she is passionate about building collections, programming, opportunities, and connections driven by her community’s curiosity and ever-evolving information needs. Inspired by her elementary school librarian and an assortment of beloved community educators and mentors, she learned about the power of literacy at a young age. Kau’i, in turn, inspires her library patrons to be life-long readers. Kau’i was previously nominated in 2019 and 2023.

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

Michelle Young, Waimea Public Library
As the Branch Manager of the Waimea Public Library, Michelle is a champion of literacy and community connection, and works tirelessly to ensure that no child is left without access to the transformative power of reading. Whether she’s welcoming students to the library, ensuring there are always “honor back” books for children without library cards, or setting up a pop-up library in partnership with Kekaha Pop Warner Football, Michelle’s priority is always reducing barriers to accessing books. Michelle was previously nominated in 2017, 2018 and 2023.

Excellence in Service Awardees

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

Gail Kashiwabara, Kailua Public Library
Gail’s journey with the Kailua Public Library began in 1979 when, what started as a temporary assignment, turned into a lifelong passion. She has become a cornerstone of the library and greets “regulars” by name. Gail has had the unique privilege of watching generations of families grow, and she never gets tired of seeing the excitement on patrons’ faces when they discover new books. Her decades of service and her ability to make every patron feel welcome have left an indelible impact on the Kailua Public Library and its community. Gail was previously nominated in 2023.

Photo credit: Hawaii State Senate

Chelsea Trevino, Lānaʻi Public & School Library
Chelsea has been a beloved fixture at the Lānaʻi Public & School Library for 27 years, and she has been the acting branch manager for more than a year. Her creativity and dedication shine in the programming she has developed for the library. Whether it’s a weekly storytime for the youngest library visitors, computer classes, or solving jigsaw puzzles, Chelsea ensures there’s something for library users of all ages to enjoy. She constantly seeks new ways to improve library services to meet the needs of the Lānaʻi community.

Filed Under: 6-Blog, Announcement, Librarian of the Year and Excellence in Service Tagged With: Excellence in Service, Librarian of the Year, LOTYEIS

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Welcome!

The Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i is a nonprofit organization whose primary objective is to maintain free public libraries in the State of Hawai‘i, to promote extension of library services throughout the State of Hawai‘i and to increase the facilities of the public library system of Hawai‘i by securing materials beyond the command of the ordinary library budget. Other objectives are to focus attention on libraries and to encourage and accept, by bequest or gift, donations of books, manuscripts, money, and other appropriate material that can enrich the cultural opportunities available to the people of Hawai‘i.

Recent Posts

  • Call for Nominations: The 2024 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature
  • 76th Annual Booksale
  • Spring Cleaning? Donate Your Books and Media to Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi!
  • 31st Annual Links to Literacy
  • Government Cuts to Library Funding

145 Years of Support

Founded in 1879, Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i has assisted in establishing and sustaining our public libraries over the last 145 years!

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Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our mission is to support and promote Hawai‘i’s public libraries.

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Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i
501 Sumner Street, Unit 614
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96817

Ph:   (808) 536.4174
Fax: (808) 536.5232

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