Categorized | Featured, Volunteering

Chain of people move library one book at a time

(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Ever had a friend ask if you can help out on moving day? Just about everyone in North Kohala has and they were glad to lend a hand.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, nearly 2,000 people lined the makai side of Akoni Pule Highway from Bond Memorial Public Library to the new library adjacent to Takata Store to take part in the passing of the books event, dubbed Huki Puke.

The human chain moved about half of the 17,000 books, DVDs and CDs 1.3 miles along the highway in two hours. The rest of the books will be trucked to the new North Kohala Public Library.

The new $7.8 million library hosts its official grand opening event at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 8. It sits on a 3.8-acre parcel donated by Surety Kohala Corp. The 6,000-square-foot facility has room for 35,000 books and other materials and features a self-checkout system, 10 computers with Internet access and a community meeting room.

The Bond Memorial Public Library has served the North Kohala region for 81 years. Its doors closed Oct. 18.

The community already has shown appreciation for its new library, raising $250,000 to furnish the building. Organizers reported passers arrived Saturday from across the island and even from Oahu.

The weekend’s Huki Puke was reminiscent of the human chain that passed stones from Pololu Valley to the shores of Kawaihae to build the Mookini and Puu Kohola heaiu during the late 1700s.

For further information, call the library at 889-6655 or visit http://hukipuke.wordpress.com

(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

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