Waimea Public Library turned 75 with special birthday party

Waimea Public Library is celebrating 75 years of public service.

The library hosted a party the afternoon of Aug. 1 to commemorate the milestone. The public was treated to a brief program followed by birthday cake and ice cream, make-and-take crafts, musical perforance by Kūpaoa and special screening of “Aletha,” a documentary about lifelong Waimea resident Aletha Goodwin Kaohi.

Renowned Kaua‘i storyteller, historian and community leader Kaohi — a direct sixth-generation descendant of King Kaumuali‘i, the last independent ruler of the Garden Isle, who was honored as a Living Treasure of Hawai‘i — also served as a public librarian and branch manager for the Waimea and Hanapēpē libraries until she retired.

She died April 9, 2024, at the age of 93.

Kaohi — affectionately known as “Puna” — mentions her librarian days in the short film with her name, which takes place during the 93-year-old’s final days as she reflects on nearly a century of living in the community situated along the southwest shore of Kaua‘i.

Hawai‘i State Librarian Stacey Aldrich said she is grateful for the generations of library staff, such as Kaohi and current employees, who dedicated their careers and talents to serving the Waimea community.

“The Waimea Public Library has been and continues to be a hub.” Aldrich said in an announcement about the library’s 75th birthday celebration. “It is a place for all to read, learn and connect.”

Its tomes — several of which attracted the attention of visiting guests the day of the 75th anniversary event — were greeted by several special guests and dignitaries including U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Hawai‘i Board of Education member William Arakaki and Kaua‘i state Rep. Dee Morikawa.

Many of the library’s users and community members also were reported to be in attendance ror the soirée.

The Waimea Public Library — located at 9750 Kaumuali‘i Highway, across from Cook Field at Waimea High School — opened Aug. 1, 1950, as part of the Kaua‘i Public Library Association with an inventory of about 4,000 books.

Now three-quarters of a century later, it is home to what at least one source reports to be nearly 3 million books, as well as other resources such as CDs, DVDs and more, including the newest technology.

You can even find unique items such as quilt patterns and Portuguese ship manifests at the westernmost public library in the United States and second-smallest branch in the Hawai‘i State Public Library System.

The building — constructed by Shigeo Nakano — was designed by Marcus Lester and Guy Rothwell.

Waimea Public Library offers weekly story times for children from birth to 5 years old; Playmakers, a weekly after-school program for elementary and middle school students; and the West Side Writers’ group for adults.

Library service hours are:

• Noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.: Monday and Wednesday.
• 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.: Tuesday and Thursday.
• Noon to 4 p.m.: Friday.
• Closed: Saturday and Sunday.

The 75th birthday celebration was sponsored by Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i and Friends of Waimea Public Library.

Call 808-338-6848 for more information. You can also visit the library website.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.