Events

The Bookmobile is Back!

Hawaii Literacy's new Bookmobile was officially welcomed at a blessing at 'Ohana Ola O Kahumana on November 10, and resumed service to seven sites on the Waianae Coast. Last April, the Bookmobile program had to stop service due to irreparable maintenance issues, but thanks to the generosity of The Harry & Nee Chang Wong Foundation, a much-needed brand new custom Bookmobile is again bringing books and literacy activities to excited keiki and 'ohana along the Waianae Coast.

With a new, reliable vehicle and generous support from Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Pizza Hut Literacy Fund, and Friends of Hawai'i Charities, Hawaii Literacy hopes to grow its route and bring books and a love of reading to even more ‘ohana and keiki. Last year served over 1,000 children and parents and lent out over 15,000 books.

Mahalo nui loa to the many supporters who made donations, offered help, and spread the word about this great program. It is because of you this program will continue!

Mahalo nui loa to our lead sponsor Hawaiian Telcom, all our sponsors and donors, Executive Women International, and the distibutors and retailers who so generously showcased their holdiay selections at Red, White & Brew. The evening was a terrific success, and we hope all who attended enjoyed themselves.

Mahalo nui for your support!

Please click on flyer for full-size version.

Mahalo to our event sponsors for their dedication to greater literacy and educational opportunity for all in our communities. 

2nd Annual Pau Hana Block Party Raises Thousands for Youth and Family Literacy Programs

Mahalo to Hawaiian Telcom, our lead event sponsor, and to Murphy's Bar & Grill, for generously hosting this fun annual fundraiser, and to all who came out to the Block Party to support our life-changing literacy programs. We depend on and appreciate your support!

Hawaii Literacy raises funds for Family Literacy Program at the 5th Annual Hunger Walk

On Saturday, August 29, Staff and volunteers joined the Hawaii Foodbank for the 5th Annual Hunger Walk at the Honolulu Civic Center. Each year, the one mile walk raises funds for the Hawaii Foodbank that provide healthy snacks after-school each day for nearly 450 children at the Family Literacy Libraries in Mayor Wright Housing and Kuhio Park Terrace. Thanks to Hands in Helping Out for joining our team! More information about the Hawaii Foodbank can be found at: www.hawaiifoodbank.org.

Mahalo to our lead sponsor, Hawaiian Telcom, to Murphy's Bar & Grill, and to the many donors and supporters for a fun and successful event!

“Thanks to all who joined us at Murphy’s Bar & Grill for our 1st Annual Pau Hana Block Party. The fundraiser was a big success, and we were humbled by the support of so many people coming out to support a good cause and enjoy the awesome sliders and great music by the talented Kawika Gapero and Roy Hamaka! Our biggest mahalo to Murphy’s Bar & Grill, and owners Don and Marion Murphy and their top-notch staff for making the event a terrific party. If you didn’t get to come out, we are planning to do it again next fall.”

Mahalo to Hawaiian Telcom, the Pau Hana Block Party’s lead sponsor, for their wonderful support. Hawaiian Telcom is the state’s leading telecommunications company, helping to keep people connected with their local and long distance and wireless phone, email, and High-Speed Internet services. Through their generous community support, they also connect community organizations with much needed support. Mahalo nui loa!

“Our thanks to the following businesses, who generously donated items for Pau Hana Block Party silent auction. We appreciate their dedication to community involvement and their commitment to increasing literacy for all in Hawai’i.”

Volunteer Appreciation Evening, April 19, 2009

On April 19, 2009, we held a very successful and enjoyable Volunteer Recognition Evening. There was good conversation and socialization, an opportunity to recognize and thank our committed volunteers, and good food. Volunteers were recognized and thanked in our three programs that utilize volunteers – Family Literacy, the Adult Drop-in Center, and Adult Literacy. We recognized some outstanding volunteers in each of the programs also; they were:

Family Literacy: Macy's Partners in Time - lead by Barbara Okabayashi, including Joy Yee, Louisa Lynch, Mia Frey, Cyndi Seaton, Arlene Oshiro, Kristie Hirota, and Katherine and Terry Clifton.

Drop-in Center: (coming soon)

Adult Literacy: Mike Braham and Diane Nakayama.

The following companies provided food and gifts for the evening:

Hokulani Bake Shop, Romano's Macaroni Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Sam's Club, The Cheesecake Factory, Walmart, Costco Wholesale, Safeway, Kokua Market, Starpoint Cafe and Catering, and Times Supermarkets.

Thank You Barnes & Noble, BJ Penn, MMA Hawaii Magazine, and 7 Volunteers

Thank you to Barnes & Noble-Ala Moana, MMA Hawaii Magazine, BJ Penn, and the 7 volunteers who helped us in a fundraising event for Hawaii Literacy on June 28 at Ala Moana Shopping Mall. The children were super excited about meeting a local athlete and had a great time combing the children's book section.

A percentage of all proceeds earned will go to Hawaii Literacy's Classroom on Wheels Program (Bookmobile) and the Family Libraries.