Kaʻū Kōkua: Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries
By Kirsi Klein
The mission of the Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries (FKL) is very clear: to support the libraries in Kaʻū by raising funds and serving as a liaison between the community and the state libraries. We have done so successfully since 1995. Each library receives discretionary funds quarterly to support their needs for programs and projects.
The two Kaʻū libraries, located in Nāʻālehu and Pāhala, are cornerstones of the community. Their wonderful team, led by our lovely head librarian, Sara Kamibayashi, kindly provides services and opportunities for keiki to kūpuna that are essential for the health and well-being of the community.
See the library’s website for events and details, and please visit the libraries in person and participate in their offerings such as game nights and sewing and gardening classes, to mention a few. You can even borrow an ʻukulele! We feel a strong need to support the efforts of the two libraries. Do you want to become a Friend?
In the early years, we sold books and baked goods at the major festivals in the area such as the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, Kaʻū Multicultural Society Fest, and the Bazaar at Kauahaʻao Congregational Church; and you’ve seen us marching and riding in the parades over the years. Did you know that FKL helped save the Pāhala library from being shut down about 15 years ago?
These days, we have a booth at the OKK Market on the first Wednesday of each month. We welcome you there to talk story, sign up for membership, donate, take home free books, or purchase T-shirts (keiki through 3XL) and sturdy canvas bags, both printed with our pretty ʻōhiʻa logo, designed by Board Director Emeritus Doris (DD) Davis. Thanks to kind donations, we are also offering potted plants, such as vanilla orchids and maʻo hau hele (a native yellow hibiscus, our endangered state flower), for a reasonable price.
So, please think about FKL when you shop for presents for your loved ones, or maybe pick up a free book and gift it to someone you think could benefit from it. Naturally, we promote literacy and encourage you to do the same.
FKL’s bylaws are simple and reflect the grassroots organization’s uncomplicated operations. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, so your donations are tax-deductible. Run entirely by volunteers, the active board works together organically, and we appreciate our active members tremendously.
To streamline our administrative load, we changed our membership system so that everyone is a lifetime member. We know that our members support the organization continuously; that’s what friends do, right?
Our annual membership meeting will be held on June 4. Public announcements will go out prior, and for the new term, we are looking for people to join the board of directors; nominations are due May 14 (nomination forms are available at the libraries). Prior experience on nonprofit boards is very welcome but not required; the willingness to be part of the FKL board, the ability to participate in low-frequency meetings in person or online, and having a heart in the right place are what is necessary. Together, we can make it happen.
Visit FriendsOfTheKauLibraries.org for more information and to make donations, email friendsofthekaulibraries@gmail.com, or talk to us at the OKK Market on the first Wednesday of the month. You can also reach us through either of the libraries.
How you can help:
Become a member.
Donate regularly.
Donate time or market-sellable items like plants and jams. (Please talk to us before donating items, as storage is a challenge.)
Donate storage space: A dry, empty garage, large container, or extra room could serve as our long-term book storage.
Volunteer: There are public activities as well as quiet tasks that are waiting for you. We can use your help with a variety of things.
We welcome all who are courteous and kind: one-timers, every-once-in-a-whilers, regulars, snowbirds, members, and non-members. Mahalo!
