Keiki Reading Program Expands to North Shore

Hawai‘i’s first lady Dawn Amano-Ige, together with state and non-profit partners, has expanded the ʻOhana Readers program to Kauaʻi’s north shore communities.

ʻOhana Readers offers high-quality, age-appropriate books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library each month to children up to age 5. Children who register for the program will receive one book each month via the U.S. Postal Service beginning approximately eight to 10 weeks after their registration form has been submitted.

The expansion covers the postal communities of:

96714 (Hanalei/Wainiha/Hāʻena)
96722 (Princeville)
96703 (Anahola)
96754 (Kīlauea)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=352727353361315&ref=sharing

The program currently serves children in the Waimea and Kekaha communities as well as the islands of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

“As a teacher and educator, I hope the ʻOhana Readers program will encourage family read-aloud time, an activity that will increase vocabulary, language skills, and contribute to a child’s knowledge of the world,” Amano-Ige said in a news release touting the expansion on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

To sign up for the ʻOhana Readers program, visit the Waimea Public Library or Princeville Public Library to pick up an official registration form. Registration forms are also available at www.FLHhawaii.org/ohanareaders.

“Instilling a love of reading at an early age helps build a strong foundation for life-long learning, ,” said Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami. “The resources provided by ʻOhana Readers ensures that our youngest keiki on Kauaʻi are more equipped for success in their future. Mahalo to First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige and our state and non-profit partners for expanding this wonderful program which now reaches our north shore and westside communities.”

The program is funded by the Imagination Library, State Department of Human Services, Friends of the North Shore Library at Princeville, Kamehameha Schools, and the KIUC Charitable Foundation.

For more info, contact the Waimea Public Library at 808-338-6848 or the Princeville Public Library at 808-826-4310 during operating hours.