In 2002, then-state Librarian Virginia Lowell toured the new Kapolei Public Library which had been built but received no money for books, furniture and other essentials. The library's long-awaited opening will be Aug. 16.
Kapolei heralds
opening of libraryThe long-delayed facility
will officially open in August
Community members have welcomed the opening of the Kapolei Public Library next month -- more than two years after construction was completed.
"I can't tell you how excited we are," said Maeda Timson, chairwoman of the Makakilo/Honokai Hale/Kapolei Neighborhood Board. "It has been a very painful process for us."
The long-awaited opening of the Kapolei Library at 1020 Manawai St. will take place 11 a.m. Aug. 16. A grand-opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 21.
The $6.9 million, two-story building designed by CDS International is the second-largest library in the state next to the Hawaii State Library. More than 40,000 new books and other materials will be available on the day of the opening. Branch Manager Richard Burns said he anticipates a collection of 130,000 to 140,000 books within five years.
Controversy surrounded the Kapolei Library even before it was constructed.
"Just to get it built, there was so much controversy," Timson said.
In July 1999 then-state Librarian Virginia Lowell said the state was "better off" not constructing a library unless the Legislature entirely funded the building and its operation.
Three years later, construction was completed, but the Legislature did not fully fund staffing and book purchases.
Conflict arose between community members and Lowell when she said she did not want to open the library supplied only with donated books.
"The community was anxious to make use of the building," said Florence Yee, director of the Hawaii State Library. "Because money for the positions were still being worked out, the community asked for permission to open a reading room."
Carol Gabbard, chairwoman of the Board of Education's Public Libraries Committee, said Lowell agreed to allow a volunteer-operated reading room in March 2003 that was supplied with donated books.
Members of the Friends of the Library-Kapolei used part of the library to sell used books. The reading room was recently closed so staff members can prepare for the opening.
Five staff members, including Burns, are employed at the library. "We have been anxious to open as quickly as possible," he said.
"We wanted to designate the 19 positions to allow the library to open," said Sen. Brian Kanno (D, Waikele-Kapolei). Many people, including volunteers and the Friends of the Library-Kapolei, worked hard to get the library open, he said.
The state Department of Human Resources Development expedited the recruitment process by holding interviews and making a list of eligible people for the 19 positions in the latter part of spring.
In a written statement, state Librarian Jo Ann Schindler said, "We are extremely grateful for the strong support that we have received from the Board of Education, Gov. Linda Lingle, former Gov. Ben Cayetano and legislators throughout this project."
Schindler added, "We are especially thankful for the necessary staffing and funding to make the Kapolei Library a reality."
Despite the efforts, the library will not have a full staff on opening day and will operate on interim hours until a full staff is hired.
"It's something that we've all been waiting for," Gabbard said. "It will round out our community and make it much better. ... Our second city is starting to look like a second city."
Timson said: "It's such a positive thing for us. It feels good that besides getting many of the ills, now we've got a beautiful library. It's a wonderful thing to be proud of."
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Interim schedule
The Kapolei Public Library is scheduled to open six days a week with the following interim hours until it has a full staff:
>> Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
>> Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 1 to 8 p.m.
>> Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rough ride
Here is the history of the Kapolei Public Library:>> 1989: A project development report conceptualizes a library in Kapolei.
>> December 1996: A Kapolei Library Community Forum is created.
>> July 1999: State Librarian Virginia Lowell says the state is "better off" not building the library unless the Legislature entirely funds the building and its operation.
>> Dec. 15, 2000: Groundbreaking ceremony at Haumea and Manawai streets.
>> February 2002: Construction of library completed. In that same year, the Legislature approves $266,904 for five staff positions and utilities.
>> March 2003: Public is invited to donate books for the Friends of the Library-Kapolei book sale and volunteer-operated reading room.
>> March 27, 2003: Reading room opens to the public.
>> July 1, 2003: Richard Burns starts as branch manager. A total of $1 million is made available by the Legislature from a $2.6 million appropriation.
>> June 19, 2004: Reading room closed.
>> Today: Nineteen positions will be made available from the remainder of the 2003 appropriation.
>> Aug. 16, 2004: Library opens at 11 a.m.
>> Aug. 21, 2004: Grand-opening ceremony at 10 a.m.
