Welcome to the Nāʻālehu Public Library! One of the smallest libraries in HSPLS, our 775- sq. ft. “portable” library building opened in its present location on Feb. 24, 1994. Following a two year expansion project, the newly-renovated 1,676-sq. ft. library reopened on November 15, 2021. The Library expansion project was a partnership between the Hawai‘i State Public Library System, the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i, and the United States Department of Agriculture that provided grant funding to expand the building.
Nāʻālehu is considered the “southernmost community in the USA” which would make our library the “southernmost library in the USA.” Our library serves patrons from Nāʻālehu through Ocean View.
The Nāʻālehu Public Library participates in ʻOhana Readers, a literacy program that focuses on reading with family as an affiliate program of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program offers high-quality, age-appropriate Imagination Library books each month to children who are under the age of five.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is a ZIP code based mailing program. Families must live a specific Hawaii Island ZIP codes to participate.
To register, click your ZIP code to download the registration form or visit the branch. You may return the form by mail or drop it off at the branch. The participating library will also offer programs that complement the books the children receive, and will provide other activities to promote literacy and reading.
For more information, visit the ‘Ohana Readers website.

Drop-in between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm every Tuesday evening to enjoy an evening of games with family and friends.
We’ll have our games available (Clue, Sorry!, Candyland, Tsuro, and many more), or bring family-friendly games you’d like to share.
Children aged 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme, ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, means a calabash full to the brim.
To celebrate this theme, every Wednesday in June and July we’ll help you fill your calabash with new tastes and flavors!
Each week we’ll have five types of each of these foods to try:
June 3: Pickles
June 10: Jelly Beans
June 17: Jerky
June 24: Oreos
July 1: Fruit
July 8: Cheese
July 15: Soda
July 22: Jam/Jelly
July 29: Chocolate
Tasting is FREE and will be available all day, while supplies last. Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ka’ū Libraries.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Join us for a storytime featuring books and songs about veggies! Weʻll have time to play and check out books afterward as well. 🙂
We’ll read, sing, dance, and get a craft to take home. Suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.
Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Drop-in between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm every Tuesday evening to enjoy an evening of games with family and friends.
We’ll have our games available (Clue, Sorry!, Candyland, Tsuro, and many more), or bring family-friendly games you’d like to share.
Children aged 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Local sewing expert Marge continues to teach us sewing basics!
This 90-minute program is suitable for ages 8 and up.
Please see a staff member or call the library to reserve your space! And if you have a sewing kit from previous sessions, please bring it with you.
Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ka`u Libraries.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Drop-in between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm every Tuesday evening to enjoy an evening of games with family and friends.
We’ll have our games available (Clue, Sorry!, Candyland, Tsuro, and many more), or bring family-friendly games you’d like to share.
Children aged 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Drop-in between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm every Tuesday evening to enjoy an evening of games with family and friends.
We’ll have our games available (Clue, Sorry!, Candyland, Tsuro, and many more), or bring family-friendly games you’d like to share.
Children aged 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Local sewing expert Marge continues to teach us sewing basics!
This 90-minute program is suitable for ages 8 and up.
Please see a staff member or call the library to reserve your space! And if you have a sewing kit from previous sessions, please bring it with you.
Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ka`u Libraries.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Drop-in between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm every Tuesday evening to enjoy an evening of games with family and friends.
We’ll have our games available (Clue, Sorry!, Candyland, Tsuro, and many more), or bring family-friendly games you’d like to share.
Children aged 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Immortalize your pet in a beautiful portrait you paint yourself! Bring a digital or printed photo of your pet and we will show you how to transform it into your own framed artwork.
We will have a few canvases available for those who would prefer them. And snacks!
Participation is limited to nine (9) people, so please see or call a library staff member to sign-up soon.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-4:00PM - |
| Tuesday | 10:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-6:00PM - |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-4:00PM - |
| Thursday | 10:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-6:00PM - |
| Friday | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | CLOSED - CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED - CLOSED |
| Parking spots | 16 |
| Parking fee | Free |
| Handicap parking spots | 1 |
| Book drop off | Yes |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Computers | 5 |
| Magazines | 2 |
| Newspapers | 2 |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Friends' book store | Yes |
| Free computer classes | No |
| Meeting rooms | No |
| Photocopying | Yes |
| Test proctoring services | Yes |
HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Statehood Day, all public libraries will be closed on Friday, August 21, 2026.
ALERT | In observance of Labor Day, all public libraries will be closed Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of General Election Day, all public libraries will be closed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Veterans Day, all public libraries will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.