Lahaina Public Library will be closing at 2:00p.m. on Wednesday, October 31st. The library will resume normal public service hours on Thursday, November 1st. We apologize for this inconvenience to the Lahaina area library users.

Hawaii State Library

Address

478 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
808-586-3500

About

Welcome to the Hawaii State Library, the flagship of the Hawaii State Public Library System! With financial assistance from Andrew Carnegie, the present location was acquired and the existing building was built and opened on Feb. 1, 1913. We have a variety of special features, most notably our Hawaii & Pacific Section, the Edna Allyn Room Children’s collection, and also the Federal Documents Section, which has been a Selective Federal Depository Library since 1929. We are located in the historic capitol district of Honolulu, next door to the only Royal Palace in the United States.

Upcoming Events

Sumi-e in Paradise: Japanese Brush Painting Exhibition
sumi-e in paradise

The Japanese art of Sumi-e, or ink painting, involves limiting details to capture the essence of the subject.  The art requires only simple materials such as black ink, water, rice paper, & brushes.

Artist Hisae Shouse and her students will display their Sumi-e paintings in the First Floor Reading Room.  This Japanese brush painting exhibition will be on display until October 26th and is open to the public during library hours.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Mizusashi of Sadou Exhibit (Cold-Water Containers of the Japanese Tea Ceremony)
mizusashi

This exhibit of traditional mizusashi is presented by Shofu Kai, a group of ceramists at the Hawai’i Potters Guild who have been studying together to learn about the artistry of utensils used in the Japanese tea ceremony, a cornerstone of Japanese culture. 

The mizusashi is the lidded jar that the holds the cold-water that is used to replenish the water in the kama (kettle). Mizusashi are classified by their shape, origins, and other characteristics. Four different styles of mizusashi used by the early tea masters will be presented:  hoso (thin), hira (flat), kaku (square), and yabure bukuro (torn bag).

This exhibit will be on display until October 31st and may viewed in the front lobby of the Library during regular library hours.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

 

Hawaii State Library Book Group – “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Scarlet Letter book cover

For the month of October, the HSL Book Group will discuss The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Hailed by Henry James as “the finest piece of imaginative writing yet put forth in the country,” The Scarlet Letter shows the terrible impact a single, passionate act has on the lives of three members of an early New England community.

The HSL Book Group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Language, Literature, and History Section. New members are always welcome. No registration necessary. Inquiries about the Hawaii State Library Book Group can be directed to hslbookgroup@gmail.com or (808) 586-3499.

Craft Time
clipart image depicting glue scissors paper

Adults and older children are welcome to enjoy this free craft program on the 3rd Saturday of the month in the Art, Music, and Recreation section of Hawaii State Library.

Collage a journal cover on September 15 and make an origami phone holder on October 20.  (A Christmas craft program will be held on November 17.)  All supplies will be provided.  Space is limited.

Please sign up by calling 586-3520 or visiting the Art, Music, & Recreation section.

All programs are subject to change.  If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Children’s Storytime
Cartoon caterpillar reading a book

Join us for a fun and interactive storytime in the Edna Allyn Room for Children. This program is suitable for ages 3 and older. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Spooky Stories by Lopaka Kapanui
Lopaka Kapanui

Please join us in the First Floor Reading Room to hear some spooky stories as told by Lopaka Kapanui, also known as the “Ghost Guy.”

These spooky stories are about places where we live, work, attend school, and shop.  Could any of these spooky areas be near you?  Come listen and find out!

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Exploring Your Family Tree @ Your Library
Family tree

Join us for a hands-on genealogy research session. We will show you the basics of how to start searching your family history using library databases and local historical collections and agencies. You will have time to search the databases and ask questions of our librarians in the Language, Literature and History Section and the Hawaii & Pacific Section. The program will be held at the Information Desk area computers.

Space is limited. Please RSVP to the Language Literature and History Section (586-3944) to guarantee your spot.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

LEGO Club
a pile of LEGO blocks

LEGO lovers can join us for an hour of free play with LEGO bricks. This program is recommended for ages 5-12. Children ages 5-7 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Please register at the Children’s Reference Desk from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. on the day of the program. No pre-registration. Seating is limited.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Pochibukuro (“little bag”)/Otoshidama Craft Program
pochibukuro

Japanese children frequently receive monetary gifts in little envelopes called “pochibukuro.”  The New Year’s pochibukuro is called “otoshidama.”  Learn to make 3 different, simple pochibukuro from found materials, then size them up for other purposes.  Examples of varied uses and adaptations for these envelopes will be shared. All supplies provided for 6 envelopes. This program will be held in the first floor reading room at the Hawaii State Library.

Registration is required. Please phone 586-3520 to reserve your spot.

All programs are subject to change.  If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Meet Local Author Guy Sibilla – “Boarding Passes to Faraway Places”
Author Guy Sibilla

Join us in the library’s First floor Reading Room to hear local author Guy Sibilla discuss his entertaining and engaging collection of travelogues and what it was like to write his new book Boarding Passes to Faraway Places.

It offers road warriors and arm chair travelers alike stories from distant, isolated locales in a loop encircling the world. Sibilla describes his chance meeting with the President of Guatemala who choppered into a jungle next to his mules, the surreal morning he awoke in Rangoon on his birthday, living in a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Uttar Pradesh, India, sleeping among the moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and many other stories of relentless adventuring.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Coloring for Adults
colored pencils and coloring sheet

Bring your friends and relax while coloring beautiful designs and patterns during this free mid-day program. Adults are invited to color in the Art, Music, and Recreation section on the first Wednesday of the month.  Starts on September 5th and continues on October 3rd and November 7th.  All materials will be provided.

All programs are subject to change.  If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Book Smart Book Club – “Boarding Passes to Faraway Places” by Guy Sibilla
Boarding Passes to Faraway Places book cover

For November, the book club will meet on Wednesday, November 7th to discuss local author Guy Sibilla’s new book Boarding Passes to Faraway Places, call number 910.4 Sibilla. Guy will be there at the meeting to discuss right along with book club members.

As a contributing editor with Honolulu Magazine for 20 years, his award-winning stories and photographs have appeared in Honolulu Magazine, Hawaiian Airlines In-Flight Magazine, The Honolulu Advertiser in the Travel, Editorial, and Island Life Sections, The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, the Village Voice (NYC) and the USA Today.

This entertaining and engaging collection of travelogues offers road warriors and arm chair travelers alike stories from distant, isolated locales in a loop encircling the world.

The Book Smart Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Language, Literature and History Section of the Hawaii State Library. New members are always welcome. No registration necessary. Inquiries about the Book Club can be directed to booksmartbookclub@gmail.com or 808-586-3499.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies – Labyrinth
Saturday Afternoon at the MOvies logo featuring the movie Labyrinth

Babysitting infant stepbrother Toby on a weekend night isn’t young Sarah’s idea of fun. Frustrated by his crying, she secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, Labyrinth, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distressed Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King. This movie is 1 hour 41 minutes long and is rated PG. It will be shown in the first floor reading room at the Hawaii State Library.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

 

The Simple Loop: a basic introduction to wirework
simple loop earring finished project

The simple loop is a basic wirework skill and the foundation of many jewelry applications. We will practice making the loop, and then make a pair of earrings to keep or give as a gift. All tools and materials will be provided. The program will be held in the Art, Music and Recreation Section loggia.  Space is limited, please call the library at 586-3520 to reserve a seat.

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Game Day
Stack of boxed games

Come and play games at the library, in the Edna Allyn Room for Children, every second Saturday of the month. No registration required – just show up and play!  Recommended for children ages 3+ (children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult). Call or visit the library to confirm (there will be no game day on state holidays).

All programs are subject to change. If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact the library at least 7 days before the program date.

Hours

Date Time
Monday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday CLOSED – CLOSED

Access

Parking spots 0
Parking fee Metered
Handicap parking spots 2
Book drop off Yes
Restrooms Yes

Services

Computers 54
Magazines 208
Newspapers 24
WiFi Yes
Friends’ book store Yes
Free computer classes Yes
Meeting rooms No
Photocopying Yes
Test proctoring services No

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