A History of Makiki Library, Part 1
Mar 28th, 2009 by Capsun
I’m not sure why this post didn’t go up yesterday, as scheduled, but here it is today. As you know, I attended the Grand Re-Opening of the Makiki Library on Wednesday. You can see some pictures here, here, and here.
I thought I’d share some of the history of the Library with you.
Makiki District Park was originally home to the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association (HSPA) research laboratory. HSPA’s administration building (fronting Keeaumoku Street) was surrounded by greenhouses and test plots. The library, the Arts & Crafts building, and Agee Hall had not yet been built. Around 1946, the three-story HSPA library (with basement) was constructed. During hte 1960s drivers passing the facility could see tall tassels of sugar cane waving in the breeze at the corner of Keeaumoku Street and Wilder Avenue.
In the 1970s HSPA moved its facility elsewhere and the City obtained the complex. In 1974, based on a community survey, the Makiki Community Association requested the HSPA library building become a branch of the State library system. The State was reluctant, so the Friends of the Makiki Library was formed to advocate for the facility.
Mayor Frank F. Fasi agreed with the community and committed City resources to open the Makiki Library on September 17, 1976 as an independent, City-sponsored library. The City repainted the building’s interior and provided essential furniture and donated books. Using Federal employment funds, the City initially hired Deborah Knowlton as a full-time librarian and within a few years added two paid assistants.
The City’s Municipal Reference and Records Center eventually transferred oversight of the library to the Department of Parks and Recreation. However, CIty funding gradually diminished, ending in 1996. Around this time, the Friends o f the Makiki Library formally became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to solicit donations for the lbirary’s continued operation. A generous local resident, Walter Langway, also created an endownment that has helped fund library operations.
The library became a vital and well-used asset to the community. The popular children’s section was the only such faciliy open on Sundays. Besides loaning books, the library became a focal point for various acitvities answering community needs. Cooking and drama classes were offered. In the late 1970s a computer terminal was obtained for residents to access online government resources, and in more recent years the lbirary acquired two computers with internet access for public use. A Makiki Day festival was held annually for years to garner community support for the lbirary. Up until its recent closing for renovations, the lbirary, ably overseen by part-time librarian Nancy Nott, boasted a collection of 30,000 books and attracted for 6,000 patrons annually.
Visit again next week for more of the Library’s history.
Mahalo!
Very interesting Capsun.
[...] been visiting and helping (when I can) with the Makiki Community Learning Center (formerly the Makiki Library) this year. Until my wedding was imminent, I was also trying to help [...]