Our mission is to assess the needs of global communities, and to work with resident leaders to provide resources, tools, and education for success.
Little Free Libraries
Mission Statement:
To facilitate accessible islandwide literacy sharing opportunities for Local Ohana (families).
Our Motivation
A growing body of evidence shows that early learning experiences are linked with later school achievement, emotional and social well-being, fewer grade retentions, and reduced incidences of juvenile delinquency and that these outcomes are all factors associated with later adult productivity. As stewards of youth opportunity,it is our kuleana (responsibility) to provide easy and fun ways for our community ohana (families) to experience literacy learning together.
In 2021, we launched a nationwide campaign to fundraise for the cost of the official Little Free Library. By selling Microgreens grow kits which provided families with nurturing experiences, global support poured in to help support free and creative literacy to East Hawaii children and we were able to order an official 2 story Little Free Library.
By partnering with the county by sharing our vision, we began offering opportunities for keiki to benefit from the library. By supporting events at various parks around the island, with Little Free Library pop ups, we have distributed over a thousand books just since Fall of 2022.
That was made possible by global donors like Hilo Public Library, Keaau Public Library, Pahoa District Park, Pana'ewa Zoo, 2nd and 7, First Book, and community members of Hawaii island.
In the summer of 2023, our partnership with the Dept. of Parks & Rec resulted in the new space for the Library: the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo Playground Pavilion. Currently, a mural and shelf are undergoing installation phases. Check back for the debut date!
book giveaways & LIteracy circles
Another way to assist literacy on our island is by hosting events! You can have a book donation gathering, circle time experience, or even fundraise for new books to share with our community!
Book Donation Stations: Pana'ewa Zoo Gift Shop / By appt: Pahoa Town Longs, Kona
Upcoming events
October 29th: Boo @ the Zoo Aloha Kids Circle Time
4:15pm Pana'ewa Zoo
Participants will receive a brand new hardcover book for attending Circle Time! Community keiki who check out our booth at the zoo from 4-6 pm will receive a book shared by an organization, family or individual on our island.
Thank you to our island wide book donors:
Friends of Hilo Library, Hilo Public Library,
Everyday Hero Project, First Book
