3,000 books given to Leeward schools

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward Writer

Inspired by the story of three Wai'anae Coast librarians who have been buying books for students out of their own pockets, residents from around the island donated more than 3,000 books Saturday for use in Leeward schools.

Kapolei High librarian Carolyn Kirio said she was overwhelmed by the response after the story appeared in Saturday's Advertiser.

"I guess our little secret is out," she said. "I got a lot of well wishes. I got calls from old friends. I got a call from one man who said he was going to donate $1,000 for books."

The one-day book drive was so successful, organizers are thinking about making it an annual event.

"Maybe we can set an example for other area book drives," said Cynthia Rezentes, chairwoman of the Wa'ianae Coast Neighborhood Board and one of the organizers.

In addition to books donated at three tent locations on the Wa'ianae Coast, organizers received phone calls from donors in Kane'ohe, Kailua, Kahala, Makiki, Kalihi, 'Aiea and 'Ewa requesting that books be picked up. A major local book publisher has offered to chip in dozens of its new children's literature and nonfiction titles.

Kirio and her colleague, Pearl City High librarian Sandy Yamamoto — both former Wa'ianae High librarians — and their friend Kathryn Tancayo, current Wa'ianae High librarian, began buying "fun books" for school kids several years ago at the annual McKinley High School Friends of the Library sale.

The idea was to augment the customary school library fare with appealing titles, such as Harry Potter books, to motivate kids to read. When Rezentes discovered what the three were doing, she and fellow Wai'anae board member David Escalante were so moved that they organized the book drive to benefit 10 Leeward schools.

Librarians at those schools were given first crack at the donated books. All remaining books will go the the Friends of the Wa'ianae Library, said Rezentes. Ironically, Kirio's and Yamamoto's schools are not among the 10 that will receive books from the drive.

"But that's OK," said Kirio. "What's important is that the kids will have more books to read."

She added that her school has received a number of donated books since Saturday that are much appreciated — even if a few titles might not be considered "fun" by some youngsters.

"I even found one book in my school mailbox," said Kirio. "It was a hard-bound copy of 'War and Peace.' "

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.