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That’s a wrap on the Summer Reading Challenge

This summer, over 23,400 Hawaiʻi residents joined the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge! Themed “E Heluhelu Kākou: Mele”, this year’s challenge sang the praises of Hawai‘i’s rich musical heritage, and readers hit every note! Just look at these stats:

5.4 million minutes logged by children
Over 102,000 books read by teens and adults
30,000+ attendees dancing through our doors to attend 1,200+ programs and activities

Congratulations to this year’s Grand Prize Drawing Winner, Cindy Yoshida! This was Cindy’s first time participating in the Summer Reading Challenge, and the most impactful book she read this summer was a book about Alzheimer’s Disease.

We were thrilled to celebrate with Cindy at her “home” library, Mililani Public Library, as she received her vouchers for four round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines.

It’s time to Give Aloha

We are excited to once again be part of Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts program! This program runs throughout the month of September at all Foodland, Sack N Save, and Foodland Farms stores statewide.

Here’s how you can participate and support Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi:

Head over to any Foodland, Sack N Save, or Foodland Farms
Make a donation (up to $249) at checkout and provide our 5-digit code: 77179
Be sure to also provide your Maikaʻi Member number

A portion of donations from enrolled Maikaʻi Members will be matched by Foodland!

You can also support the Give Aloha matching gift by:

Rounding up your purchase
Donating spare change
Donating 250 Maikaʻi points
Purchasing Give aloha merchandise designed by Suzanne Jennerich

The matching gift will be shared among all participating nonprofits.

We will receive all donations plus our matching gift in October.

You’re invited to the Read Aloud Series!

August 9 & 10, 2025 | 11am-1pm

Please join us for the 4th annual Read Aloud Series at the Ward Center Courtyard! Little ones can listen to live children’s book readings from local authors and librarians. You can also snap a photo in front of the photo wall, purchase books from our participating partners, and enjoy light snacks and beverages (while supplies last).

Mahalo to our partners: Ward Village, Hawaiʻi Library Association, SCBWI Hawaiʻi, Nā Mea Hawaiʻi, Logos Bookstore of Hawaiʻi, and Selfmade Something.

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.

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!

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, July 11 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!

That’s a wrap on the Summer Reading Challenge

It’s time to Give Aloha

You’re invited to the Read Aloud Series!

August 9 & 10, 2025 | 11am-1pm

Call for Nominations: The 2024 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature