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2025 Summer Reading Challenge
E Heluhelu Kākou: Let’s Read!
Readers of all ages are invited to join us from June 1 – July 31, 2025!
This year’s theme, “E Heluhelu Kākou – Mele”, invites you to feel the rhythm of reading through poetry, chants, and music. It’s a joyful tribute to the powerful sounds and stories that bring us together.
Sign Up
Sign up today and score your first reward right away! When you log reading in June and July, you’ll unlock more rewards and earn a shot at winning four round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines!
Three easy ways to join:
- Online: Go to the Beanstack website.
- Mobile App: Download the Beanstack app, available for both iOS and Android.
- In-Person: Visit your local library.
How it Works
We’re excited to have readers of all ages participate, and this year, we have tailored goals to make the challenge engaging for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.
Kids: Birth - 5th Grade |
|
|---|---|
| What do I have to do to complete the challenge? | Read 800 minutes or more. |
| What can I read? | Physical books, eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, talking books, and Braille all count. |
| How do I earn rewards and entries for grand prize? | Rewards at 400 & 800 minutes while supplies last. Grand prize entries are given for every 100 minutes. |
| How can I log my reading? | Log minutes on Beanstack or paper log and talk with your favorite library staff. Does your school use Beanstack? Learn how to connect your accounts. |
| Is there a way to earn bonus entries to the Grand Prize of Four Round-Trip tickets with Alaska Airlines? | Yes! You can earn extra entries by: - Visiting the library to learn the word of the week. One word = 1 extra entry. - Reading beyond 800 minutes. 200 minutes = 1 extra entry. |
Teens & Adults |
|
|---|---|
| What do I have to do to complete the challenge? | Read 8 books or more. |
| What can I read? | Physical books, eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, talking books, and Braille all count. |
| How do I earn rewards and entries for grand prize? | Rewards at 4 & 8 books while supplies last. Grand prize entries are given for every book read up to eight books. |
| How can I log my reading? | Log minutes on Beanstack or paper log and talk with your favorite library staff. Does your school use Beanstack? Learn how to connect your accounts. |
| Is there a way to earn bonus entries to the Grand Prize of Four Round-Trip tickets with Alaska Airlines? | Yes! You can earn extra entries by: - Visiting the library to learn the word of the week. One word = 1 extra entry. - Reading beyond 8 books. 2 books = 1 extra entry. |
Reading Rewards
All Hawaiʻi Public Libraries will have rewards for reaching specific reading goals. Some libraries may have additional rewards, ask your library what they’re doing for summer reading.
Sign-up bonus: Everyone who registered for the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge will earn a McDonald’s Be Our Guest Coupon for a free ice cream cone or apple dipper!
| Kids | Teens | Adults | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 Minutes | 800 Minutes | 4 Books | 8 Books | 4 Books | 8 Books |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Choice of children's book | Mochi Squish Toy | Noms | Aloha Kine Creem Crackers | Solar Keychain Flashlight | Mele Cotton Tote Bag |
Prize Drawings
Not only will you able be earn rewards for reading, you will also earn entries into these fun prize drawings.
All Ages Prize Drawings
- Four Roundtrip Tickets on Alaska Airlines
- Beginner ʻUkulele Kit
Teen Prize Drawings
- Large Pizza Hut Pizza Coupon or Gift Card
- Beats Headphones
2025 Summer Reading Challenge Official Prize Rules
Looking for Short Books to Read???
Are your patrons looking for quick reads to get to the 8 book goal?
Mahalo to our selectors at the Hawaii State Library for pulling together a list of Short Books for Adults (Printing Version) and Short Books for Adults (ADA Accessible).
Link Your School and Library Beanstack Accounts
Connect your school Beanstack account to earn even more badges and rewards. Go to this video tutorial for directions.
Login Information For Hawaiʻi Public School Students:
- Username: 10-digit student ID number
- Password: Six-Digit date of birth (mmddyy)
Attend Fun & Music Filled Events
Libraries will also be hosting a variety of cultural and enriching events for all ages throughout the summer.
Through a partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program, various public libraries will be hosting free performances that celebrates mele!
- Huliau with Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau
- Journey of Slack Key Guitar with Jeff Peterson
- Mele for the Guitar and ʻUkulele with Ian O’Sullivan
- Melodies of a Distant Past: Chinese Poetry in Erhu with Dr. Sun Hui
- Okinawan Dance with Cheryl Yoshie Nakasone
- Stories from Around the World with Dave Del Rocco
- Stories Told Through Taiko with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble
2025 Concert Series
Join us for the Summer Reading Challenge Concert Series in celebration of mele, with live performances at various libraries statewide! Enjoy an exciting summer lineup of talented local artists, uplifting music, and community fun for the whole ‘ohana. There will also be Silent Disco dance parties at two O‘ahu locations. All events are free and open to the public, made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i and the 2025 Summer Reading Sponsors.
- Silent Disco (registration is recommended) – July 2, 5:00-7:00pm | Kapolei Public Library
- Silent Disco (registration is recommended) – July 3, 5:00-7:00pm | Mānoa Public Library
- Abe Lagrimas, Jr. & Mike Odo – July 9, 5:00-6:30pm | Līhuʻe Public Library
- Ku‘uipo Kumukahi – July 12, 2:00-3:00pm | Hilo Public Library
- Kamakakēhau Fernandez – July 15, 5:15-7:00pm | Kīhei Public Library
- An Evening of Jazz – July 22, 6:00-7:00pm | Kailua Public Library
Hawaiian Music Film Screenings
Experience the heart and history of Hawaiian music through free documentary film screenings. These powerful local films share how mele tells the story of our islands—revealing the deep connection between sound, place, and the traditions of Hawai‘i. Free documentary copies will be offered at each film screening, while supplies last. Mahalo to The Hawaiian Legacy Foundation for generously sponsoring this film screening series and for their gracious donation of DVD and CD copies.
- The History of the Sons of Hawai‘i
- Li‘a: The Legacy of a Hawaiian Man
- Those Who Came Before: The Musical Journey of Eddie Kamae
- Words, Earth & Aloha: The Source of Hawaiian Music
“Year of Our Community Forests” Presentations & Activities
2025 has been proclaimed as the Year of Our Community Forests! To celebrate, HSPLS is once again partnering with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW) to offer a free, educational, and interactive program at libraries. This one-hour event begins with a tree mele or ‘oli, includes a brief presentation on community forests, and will end with an engaging activity that highlights the importance of forest stewardship across our islands. View a schedule of upcoming programs.
For a complete list of upcoming statewide events, visit the HSPLS Events Calendar.
About the Poster Artist
Lauryn Gordines is an artist and designer based in Honolulu, Hawaii inspired by the local culture surrounding her Honolulu upbringing. She has spent the last 16 years as an entrepreneur operating several businesses in creative industries with a presence in the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Canada. Her past and present clients include 7 for All Mankind, Young and Reckless, Garret Leight California Optical, Habitat for Humanity, Urban Research, and Marriott. The last decade has been a deep dive into brand development and management for small to large businesses and non-profit organizations in Hawaii. She received awards from the American Advertising Awards District Competition for Integrated Brand Identity. Lauryn’s work has led her to want to nurture a deeper impact on the creative community. She co-founded CreativeMornings Honolulu and Spectra Foundation to continue to advocate for Hawaii’s creative industries.
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