Makiki library
seeks funding

Gov. Lingle holds off on releasing
money to help the facility

Volunteers at the Makiki Community Library want to provide more services for residents, but now they might have to do it without state funding.

The state Legislature appropriated $4.5 million last year to help create a "community center" at the library. The center was to include a computer learning center that would mainly assist immigrant families.

Citing other pressing needs, Gov. Linda Lingle informed the Makiki Library Board Friday that funding will not be released for the library.

"After visiting the facility and weighing all the information available, including the lack of ongoing operational, maintenance and security funding, I do not believe releasing the $4.5 million in state funds is in the best interest of the state taxpayers," Lingle said in a written statement.

"The building that the library operates out of is city-owned and city-operated. The city, not the state, is responsible for the building's upkeep and any desired renovations or improvements," she said.

The Makiki Community Library, founded in 1977, is a private nonprofit library at Makiki District Park. Volunteers at the historic structure operate the library on an $11,000 annual budget. It is not part of the state library system.

Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Tantalus-Makiki) said the library serves thousands of people in the community, primarily immigrants and low-income residents, who need the resources the library provides.

In the last couple of years, the city had provided more than $1.5 million to go toward refurbishing the deteriorated building, which has many broken windows covered with pieces of cardboard. The funds will also go toward renovating the facility to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Despite withdrawing state aid, Lingle said her administration is willing to work with the volunteers and the city to find other sources of funding to help with various community-focused programs.

Schatz said it is now up to Makiki residents to make their case for the library.

"We're very disappointed in this but ... this is not the end. We have 10 more months to work with the community and work with the Governor's Office to persuade her that this is a good investment in Hawaii's future and in Makiki's future," Schatz said.

The state's commitment for $4.5 million lapses by next summer, which gives library supporters a little time to persuade Lingle to change her mind.

"We're not giving up. We are going to work hard, stay positive, and we're going to persuade the governor that this is a great way to spend money, " Schatz said.

Ron Paik, president and treasurer of the Friends of Makiki Community Library, said they are operating the facility on an estimated $7,000 deficit.