Hana Library Closure Sparks Outcry

KHON 2 TV News
July 10, 2009

Reported by: Gina Mangieri
Email: gmangieri@khon2.com
Last Update: 7/10 6:09 pm

People in Hana, Maui say they're shocked the state would consider closing down their library to save $20,000.

A list of possible public library closures has sparked an outcry from one of Hawaii's most remote communities.

People in Hana, Maui say they're shocked the state would consider closing down their library to save $20,000.

It takes awhile to get to Hana, but news that the state might shut their library traveled fast Thursday.

Hana principal, Richard Paul says, "Actually I was slack jawed. It was just unbelievable to me that would even be considered."

Facing a steep deficit the state librarian gave the Board of Education a plan that would close Hana's library along with Holualoa, Pahala, Kealakekua and Ewa Beach

Mary Cochran, of the BOE says, "I see Hana's on the list and the first thing I said is wait a minute, Hana's not gonna close. It'll close over my dead body."

Like two others on the list, Hana's library is in a school. The state librarian told the board schools could opt to run it themselves. Hana's principal says there's no money for that.

The nearest library is hours away in Makawao.

"It would take somebody 40 dollars and 5 hours to go the library and back," said Paul.

And it's not just about the books. The Hana library is a de facto community center. It has the only public copy machine, it's many people's only internet access for locals and tourists alike.

"There are so many other libraries that are closer together. It's not that we want to close any of them, it would be terrible to close any libraries at all," said Holly Braffet, Librarian.

Board of Education opposition to the plan appears to be mounting, enough to possibly get Hana off the cut list, but something else would have to go.

Cochran says, "They never at any time looked at Oahu proper." You start from the main library you go to the Liliha library you got to Kahili library you go to Moiliili library and you get back to the state library and that's within 15 minutes."

Many other libraries found an opposite fate in the budget plan, getting the blessing of a "critical" label meaning they're not to be touched if cuts have to go even deeper. Other rural neighbor island libraries are on that list.

Maui senator, Kalani English says, "What I've asked the librarian to consider is to treat Hana like they treat Molokai and Lanai. It doesn't make financial sense. It doesn't make political sense and it doesn't make common sense to shut this down."

A vote on the plan would come next Thursday.

The state librarian told KHON2 he's trying to arrange a Monday meeting with the board to talk just about the Hana issue.

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Original article URL: http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Hana-Library-Closure-Sparks-Outcry/wSBZE_zisUKDB1rwSot1OA.cspx

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