Libraries get $1.5 million bequeathed by visitor

Advertiser Staff

Kenneth Holfman lived in Oregon, but in his frequent trips to the Islands' public library system obviously struck a chord. Holfman, who died in 1998, left $1.5 million — half of his estate — to the Hawai'i State Library and the Waikiki-Kapahulu Library. It is the largest gift ever received by libraries in the Hawai'i State Public Library System.

So far, Holfman's money is being used by the downtown library and the Waikiki-Kapahulu Library for renovation and to add new computers. Some of the money also will be used to establish a young adult homework help center in the Hawai'i State Library.

About five years ago during a visit to the Islands, Holfman donated a display case to the Hawai'i State Library, said Caroline Spen-cer, the library director.

"One day five years ago, he came and we had a nice chat about libraries and books for maybe about 10 or 15 minutes," she said. "He asked, 'What can I do for the library? What can I buy?' and we told him he could donate something if he wanted to. So he donated a display case. We were very pleased with it. He said he would come back if his stocks did well. But, we never heard from him again, until we received a letter saying that he died, and that he left us this great sum of money. He was such a nice man. It was just awesome."