There's still a ways to go, however, as the full council must approve the nonbinding resolution, and the governor still must act.

Meanwhile, neighborhood residents say the facility is in dire need of repair.

In December, vandals smashed 31 library windows, which have been covered with plywood, cardboard and duct tape. With no money for maintenance, the makeshift repairs mean the windows cannot be opened to let breezes into the building, which does not have air conditioning. Elsewhere, the concrete structure is slowly crumbling, and the electrical lines and plumbing connections are sorely outdated.

Yesterday, Makiki resident Dana Carr said she was surprised it has taken so long for the money to be released, saying it would be put to good use.

"It's definitely worth it," said Carr, 22. "Educating the youth and keeping them interested in reading is much better than some other activities."

Isaac Kim, 9, and his brother, Ethan, 7, of Makiki, check out a Mad magazine and other offerings at the Makiki library. They say they frequently stop by after school to read the comic books. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The resolution, if approved by the City Council, could serve that purpose, he said, and then the department will review the request before it goes to the governor for signature. All those steps could take some time, he said.

City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi said she expected the resolution to pass the full council next month and be delivered to the state.

"It's a wonderful neighborhood library," Kobayashi said. "It saves the state a lot more money because they don't have to run it. We have a lot of volunteers; the books are donated. I wish there could be more of them."

Rep. Brian Schatz, D-25th (Makiki, Tantalus), said he is disappointed it has taken so long for the state to release the money, but that he is hoping the city request will make a difference and the project can finally move forward.

Schatz said the $4.5 million has been earmarked for a complete renovation of the building that he says is urgently needed to keep the historic structure from deteriorating further.

The community library was started by Makiki residents in 1978 in what was the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association experiment station. It is not part of the state library system, and its collection of about 15,000 books is mostly donated.

The library has an operating budget of about $1,000 a month and was supported by the city until financing was withdrawn in 1995. Since then, the Makiki library has operated exclusively through private donations of money and books.

Books can be borrowed or bought, and there is a reference library and a large Hawaiiana section. The library also has computers and Internet access for the public.

The top two floors of the three-story building have only been used for storage for more than a decade.

Ron Paik, president of the library's board of directors, said the city is about to start on a separate, $1.7 million project to make the entire building comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements by putting in an elevator and other improvements and to meet safety regulations by adding an exterior stairway at the rear of the building. The work also will include some building improvements, such as new windows and floors.

The work will begin in the fall and the library will be closed for about a year during construction, he said.

Paik said that when both projects are done, the old building could truly become the center of the densely populated Makiki community.

"We made a wish list which includes a computer learning center and immigrant programs," he said.

"A newly renovated building would become a natural focal point for people to become involved and reach out to their interests."

Isaac Kim, 9, and his brother Ethan, 7, live nearby and often visit the library after school to look at the children's books.

"I come in to read the comic books," Isaac said. "I like the Star Wars."

Librarian Nancy Nott said the closest public libraries are in McCully and downtown, a long way for children to walk.

"People who come in really like it," Nott said. "It is close to their homes and they can just bring their kids while they go to the park for a while. Others read while their children practice soccer."