Molokai Library 75th Anniversary

Jazz musician Dean Taba, photo courtesy UH-SCEP.

Hawaii State Public Library System News Release

The Molokai Public Library will celebrate its 75th Anniversary with special music, hula, and dance on the front lawn, and exhibits in the library on Wednesday, May 23. This free, public event will be held from 1 to 6 p.m.

The Molokai Public Library opened on May 21, 1937 and provides the only public library services for the island. The library’s Bookmobile has provided services to various schools and outlying areas since 1954. On July 17, 1993, Molokai Public Library was placed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Exhibits will feature paintings and artwork by various artists, quilts, First Book Molokai display and literacy activities, books about Molokai and by Molokai authors, and a Molokai Public Library slide show and picture albums.

The Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Maui Friends of the Library, Friends of the Molokai Public Library, UH Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program, and the County of Maui-Molokai are sponsoring the anniversary celebration.

For more information, please call the library at 553-1765.

Anniversary celebration performers:

2 p.m. – Mele and Hula by Lonomusic

3 p.m. – Dean Taba and Jeff Richmond: “Two Musicians Demonstrating Various Jazz Styles.” Taba and Richmond will demonstrate common Jazz styles and provide an overview of what musicians are doing when improvising a solo or accompaniment.

4 p.m. – 21st Century Instrumental Music Students, under the direction of Robert Underwood

5 p.m. – Mele and Hula by `O Hina I ka Malama, under the direction of Na Kumu: Iolani, Mahina Hou, and Manuwai