Hawai'i Kai library to close

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

HAWAI'I KAI — The Hawai'i Kai Public Library will close for more than a month starting Sept. 7 while the building gets a much-needed reroofing.

Every time it rains, the roof leaks, and banks of lights must be shut off or else they will start to smoke, library workers say.

Officials hope the roof work and retrofitting of lights can be done in six weeks, but that depends on clear weather, said Keith Fujio, Hawai'i State Public Library System administrative services officer.

The work is valued at $300,000.

"Hawai'i Kai is a pretty busy library," Fujio said. "But the repairs are much needed. We've had it on our priority list for at least five years."

Patrons are asked to use the 'Aina Haina or Waimanalo libraries during the roof work. 'Aina Haina is the closest library, about four miles away.

Nearly the entire roof will have to be redone, Fujio said. The hazard of fumes from roofing material and the need to block off most of the parking lot for equipment and safety led to the decision to close the library during the work. The library opened in 1972.

"We felt it was best to close the library," Fujio said. "It would slow down the project if we had people coming in and going out."

Library patrons hope the work will go quickly. The Liliha Public Library has been closed more than six months for roof repairs that were estimated to last weeks, Fujio said. He said structural problems were uncovered once work began.

Ivy Dilda was picking up books with her daughter Tuesday on their weekly stop at the Hawai'i Kai library. "We usually come to this library on the weekend," Dilda said. "It will be inconvenient for us to go to another library."

Anna Ashleson of Hawai'i Kai was picking up a load of books before school let out. She said she would try to get to another library or rely on her daughter's public school library.

"They have to repair the roof," Ashleson said. "Hopefully it will be better when it's all done."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.