Hawaiʻi State
Public Library System

• June 4, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
• Categories: Books, Branch book clubs
• Contact: 808-586-3500

Join us for our Silent Book Club, a monthly gathering for those who enjoy reading in a quiet, shared space. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month, in the Language, Literature, and History Reference Area and Courtyard of the Hawai‘i State Library.

Participation is simple. Bring a book of your choice or select one from the library’s collection. There are no assigned books, no deadlines, and no required discussions—just the joy of reading in companionable silence.

All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or 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.

• June 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Categories: Books, Community, Culture, Entertainment, Food, Learning
• Contact: 808-586-3500

Celebrate the beginning of summer reading at “First Taste of Summer”, the exciting kick-off event for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge! Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hawai‘i State Library in Downtown Honolulu, next to historic ‘Iolani Palace, for a fun-filled day of activities, informational booths, and prize giveaways.

This year’s theme, “E Heluhelu Kākou: ‘Umeke Kā‘eo,” celebrates a calabash overflowing with knowledge and wisdom. Like an ‘umeke filled to the brim, reading nourishes our minds, hearts, and communities, bringing people together through stories, learning, and shared experiences.

Guests of all ages are encouraged to register for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge during the event. The first 400 attendees who register will receive a free frozen dessert from Asato’s. Bring your family and friends and help us welcome a summer filled with books, discovery, and fun!

“First Taste of Summer” is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i and the 2026 Summer Reading Sponsors.

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.

• June 6, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am
• Categories: Storytime (for kids)
• Contact: 808-586-3500

• June 8, 2026 - August 1, 2026
• Categories: Books, Reading programs
• Contact: 808-586-3500

For teens in Grades 7-12 at the downtown Hawaiʻi State Library:

Visit the Teen Section and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pick up prize in person). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! 

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.

• June 8, 2026 - August 1, 2026
• Categories: Books, Reading programs
• Contact: 808-586-3500

For readers in Grades 3-6 at the downtown Hawaiʻi State Library…

Don’t judge a book by its cover! Visit the Middle Reader Room and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out a Rating Bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pick up prize in person). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out!

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.

• June 8, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
• Categories: Books, Storytime (for kids)
• Contact: 808-586-3500

Join us in the Edna Allyn Room for Children for lap-sit storytime! Bring your babies (0-23 months) and a blanket for stories, interactive rhymes, and songs in this 30-minute program.

• June 13, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am
• Categories: Storytime (for kids)
• Contact: 808-586-3500

• June 15, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
• Categories: Books, Storytime (for kids)
• Contact: 808-586-3500

Join us in the Edna Allyn Room for Children for lap-sit storytime! Bring your babies (0-23 months) and a blanket for stories, interactive rhymes, and songs in this 30-minute program.

• June 20, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am
• Categories: Storytime (for kids)
• Contact: 808-586-3500

• June 20, 2026 @ 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Categories: Entertainment, Films & Movies
• Contact: 808-586-3500

Join us on the second floor of the Main Library in the Art, Music & Recretion section for the film and following discussion.

Synopsis: A down-and-out actor living in Tokyo is hired as a token American guy for a Japanese rental-family company, leading him on an unexpected journey of self-discovery through the roles he plays in other people’s lives.

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paolo Andrea Di Pietro, Takehiro Hira

Director: Mitsuyo Miyazaki

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 at (808) 586-3520 as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change.