By MaryAnne Long

The Kahuku Public and School Library celebrated its first 40 years (1968-2008) on Tuesday, November 18; but it is by no means having a mid-life crisis as might be considered common for folks in that age category. On the contrary, Kahuku Library is using this time for looking back with pride on its accomplishments and looking forward to finding more and better ways to serve the community.

Better service is being planned as Kahuku Library rolls out its new bookmobile. With major funding from the Turtle Bay Resort and support from community-minded citizens, the bookmobile will service the needs of readers who cannot get to the library itself. Soon the former tour van will find new life as it visits spots up and down the Koolauloa coast.

Even in its conceptual stages in the 1960’s, Kahuku Library was planned to be a place of innovation. It was planned as both a public and school library, a rather novel idea at that time. It was also to house a state-of-the-art media production room that would allow a variety of graphic and audio production support services to be provided to both the school and the surrounding population.

November 18 was the community’s opportunity to celebrate this 40-year milestone for the library.

Four hours of festivities took place from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., with food, music, hula, and history. Sam Langi [pictured at left] was the emcee from 3 to 5 and Benny Kai took over from 5 to 7.

City Councilmember Donovan DelaCruz presented Branch manager Fran Corcoran with a certificate on November 12. State Representative Mike Magaoay was scheduled to present a certificate to the library staff between 3 and 4, and new State Representative Jessica Wooley was to visit between 5 and 7. In addition, other groups and performers included:

Kahuku High's Vocal Motion; a Chinese lion dance by the Ban Phung (Fung) family of Laie, and a few friends; the Laie Serenaders; the BYU-Hawaii Music Club; Kealani Ah Puck, hula; and Kela Miller, hula.

During the lion dance, Branch Manager Fran Corcoran "fed" the lion the traditional lettuce and symbolic red paper money. In fact, Phung explained when the lion eats the lettuce and then spits it out, "that's what actually brings the good luck."

"I have all the luck in the world. I have a beautiful wife," responded Langi, referred to Lina-girl, who joined him at the celebration and was very popular as she gave away prizes.

Phung added that the lion bowed three times to the library before entering, three times to the audience and three times to the boss.

 

Kahuku Library Branch Manager Fran Corcoran "feeds"
lettuce and symbolic money during the Chinese lion dance
marking the library's 40th anniversary. — folifotos