Molokai Public Library

Address

15 Ala Malama Ave, Kaunakakai, HI 96748, United States (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 395, Kaunakakai, HI 96748)
Directions

TEL: 808-553-1765

Photo of Molokai branch building

About

Welcome to the Molokai Public Library! Designed by architect Harry K. Stewart, our library opened on May 21, 1937. It is a 3,627 sq. ft. library located in central Kaunakakai and serves as a hub for many community activities.


Ohana Readers and Imagination Library logosThe Molokai Public Library participates in ʻOhana Readers, a literacy program that focuses on reading with family as an affiliate program of Dolly Partonʻs Imagination Library. The program offers high-quality, age-appropriate Imagination Library books each month to children who are under the age of five.

Dolly Partonʻs Imagination Library program is a ZIP code based mailing program. Families must live in these specific Molokai 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.


Upcoming events at this branch

Headshot of woman with hair up wearing a red scarf, black backpack and purple top.

Meet the Molokai Arts Center’s Artist in Residence, Linda Mae Tratechaud, who will share her Molokai journey in art. Linda comes to us from New Mexico. An Albuquerque native, she now lives south of Santa Fe in the Galisteo basin. Linda earned an Associates degree in Graphic Design from the Colorado Institute of Art in 1982 and was an award winning graphic designer, book designer, and illustrator for over 20 years before finishing her BFA with Honors from the University of New Mexico in 2005. She continued to study bronze and glass casting and sculpture at UNM, Santa Fe Community College, Bullseye Glass, as well as on her own.

While on Molokai, Linda’s project “Being Support with Mother Nature” will incorporate pieces of nature into her sculptures. She often makes structures out of sticks, branches, leaves, acorns and other found materials to work in juxtaposition with her cast glass sculptures. Once she has a structure built, she will have it cast into bronze, aluminum, or silver and then build the glass component into the piece. These latter processes will be done after the residency. Check out her website:  https://lindamaetratechaud.com/home.html 

Brought to Molokai in collaboration with Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.

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.

Book Club

In person or via Zoom! Join us in reading and discussing the following titles on the third Wednesday of each month:

January 15:  Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah

February 19:  Paddling My Own Canoe by Audrey Sutherland

March 19:  Being Mortal by Atul Gwande

April 16: No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le Guin

May 21: James by Percival Everett

June 18: The Rent Collector by Cameron Wright

July 16: An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin

August 20: Magellan by Lawrence Bergreen

September 17: Grant by Ron Chernow

October 15: All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley

November 19: The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson

December 17: The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn

New members are welcome to attend! Call (808) 553-1765 for more information and/or Zoom link.

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.

Collage of book covers

Molokai Public Library Book Club picks for 2025

Event flyer featuring photos of individuals and their abundance- fruits, veggies, plants.

“Those of the uplands share their crops, those of the seaside share their catch.”

Join us for a community Barter & Trade gathering! Bring your homegrown or farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to share with others! We also welcome and encourage value-added products made from locally sourced, homegrown, or farm-fresh ingredients.

General Guidelines

By maintaining these guidelines, a community barter & trade system can thrive, fostering sustainability, unity and cultural preservation.

  1. No Cash Transactions
    • Money is excluded entirely
  2. Fair Trade
    • Trade items of similar value (e.g. 3 avocados for 1 loaf of banana bread)
  3. Trust & Honor
    • Participants trust each other to offer equitable exchanges without oversight
  4. Quality Standard
    • Ensure traded items are fresh, clean and safe for consumption

Added-Value Guidelines

  1. Transparency
    • List ingredients and note any allergens (e.g. ʻulu chips made with peanut oil)
  2. Ingredient Sourcing
    • Prioritize using farm-fresh, homegrown or locally sourced ingredients
  3. Packaging
    • Use eco-friendly packaging
  4. Quality Standard
    • Added-value products should comply with DOH food safety standards

Presented in partnership with ROOTed,ʻĀina Momona, Sustʻāinable Molokai and Kanaeokana.

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.

Headshot of Kalaniua Ritte, a Hawaiian man, dressed in a black tank top and wearing a backwards black hat.

The community is invited to listen, learn from and share their views with local, Hawai’i and international speakers about a variety of topics through the Global Citizenship Speaker Series.

This presentation features Kalaniua “Ua” Ritte. Ua will share how ʻĀina Momona is addressing environmental challenges with a combination of traditional Hawaiian practices and modern solutions while engaging the community—especially local youth—in hands-on restoration work. He will also discuss the critical role of the Kaʻamola watershed in preserving the interconnected health of the land and sea, ensuring food security and sustainability for future generations.

Kalaniua “Ua” Ritte is the Executive Director of ʻĀina Momona, a Native Hawaiian nonprofit dedicated to restoring Molokai’s cultural and environmental abundance. Deeply rooted in his Molokai community, Ua brings decades of experience as a steward of the land and advocate for traditional practices.

The speaker series is presented by the Molokai Bahá’í Community in collaboration with Molokai Public Library to encourage conversations around global issues of importance to Molokai. Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

This presentation will also be available via Zoom. Contact the library for more information.

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.

Captain Mark and children in front of a giant, inflatable bottlenose dolphin

Get excited for a visit from Le Dauphin of Storybook Theatre with a dolphin story writing and coloring contest!

Dolphin Story Writing Contest

  • Fiction or Non-fiction
  • “Written by” or “As told by”

Dolphin Coloring Contest

  • Two divisions: 3&4, 5&6 years old
  • Print online at QR Code below OR visit the library to pick up a coloring sheet

Entries are due to the library on/before Tuesday, February 25th and will be judged by Mr. Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre and Friends of the Molokai Public Library. Winners will be announced at Story Time with “Captain Mark” and Le Dauphin on Wednesday, February 26th at 5:30 PM.

Presented with generous support from Friends of the Molokai Public Library.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

Adults doing crafts

Join us for crafting fun! Discover your creativity and share it with the world!

This month, create a heart-shaped sun catcher! This program is facilitated by Friends of the Molokai Public Library volunteer Kayla Guerrero. All supplies provided. For children 3 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

Hands cupping water

Join us for a monthly workshop series to illuminate your path toward financial empowerment featuring 6 key topics:

February Budgeting Basics:  Making Every Dollar Count

March Debt-Free Living: Break Free from the Burden

April The Credit Connnection:  Unlocking Financial Opportunities

May Home Sweet Home:  Preparing for Homeownership

June Retirement Ready:  Securing Your Golden Years

July Teaching the Next Generation:  Financial Literacy for Keiki

Presented in partnership with ʻĀina Momona and 101 Financial.

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.

Captain Mark and children in front of a giant, inflatable bottlenose dolphin

Get excited for a visit from Le Dauphin of Storybook Theatre with a dolphin story writing and coloring contest!

Dolphin Story Writing Contest

  • Fiction or Non-fiction
  • “Written by” or “As told by”

Dolphin Coloring Contest

  • Two divisions: 3&4, 5&6 years old
  • Print online at QR Code below OR visit the library to pick up a coloring sheet

Entries are due to the library on/before Tuesday, February 25th and will be judged by Mr. Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre and Friends of the Molokai Public Library. Winners will be announced at Story Time with “Captain Mark” and Le Dauphin on Wednesday, February 26th at 5:30 PM.

Presented with generous support from Friends of the Molokai Public Library.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

Captain Mark and children in front of a giant, inflatable bottlenose dolphin

Get excited for a visit from Le Dauphin of Storybook Theatre with a dolphin story writing and coloring contest!

Dolphin Story Writing Contest

  • Fiction or Non-fiction
  • “Written by” or “As told by”

Dolphin Coloring Contest

  • Two divisions: 3&4, 5&6 years old
  • Print online at QR Code below OR visit the library to pick up a coloring sheet

Entries are due to the library on/before Tuesday, February 25th and will be judged by Mr. Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre and Friends of the Molokai Public Library. Winners will be announced at Story Time with “Captain Mark” and Le Dauphin on Wednesday, February 26th at 5:30 PM.

Presented with generous support from Friends of the Molokai Public Library.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

Captain Mark and children in front of a giant, inflatable bottlenose dolphin

Get excited for a visit from Le Dauphin of Storybook Theatre with a dolphin story writing and coloring contest!

Dolphin Story Writing Contest

  • Fiction or Non-fiction
  • “Written by” or “As told by”

Dolphin Coloring Contest

  • Two divisions: 3&4, 5&6 years old
  • Print online at QR Code below OR visit the library to pick up a coloring sheet

Entries are due to the library on/before Tuesday, February 25th and will be judged by Mr. Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre and Friends of the Molokai Public Library. Winners will be announced at Story Time with “Captain Mark” and Le Dauphin on Wednesday, February 26th at 5:30 PM.

Presented with generous support from Friends of the Molokai Public Library.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

Hours

Date Time
Monday 9:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-4:00PM -
Tuesday 9:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-4:00PM -
Wednesday 12:00PM-4:00PM & 5:00PM-7:00PM -
Thursday 9:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-4:00PM -
Friday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday CLOSED - CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED - CLOSED

Access

Parking spots 2
Parking fee Free
Handicap parking spots 1
Book drop off Yes
Restrooms Yes

Services

Computers 7
Magazines 50
Newspapers 5
WiFi Yes
Friends' book store No
Free computer classes Yes
Meeting rooms No
Photocopying Yes
Test proctoring services Yes

ALERT | In holiday observance of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Day, all public libraries will be closed
on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.