Honoka'a Public Library
🏢 Hawaii State Public Library System · Honokaa, Hawaii
Honoka'a Public Library
Built in 1936 and opened June 15, 1937, the Honoka'a Public Library occupies a compact 3,040-square-foot plantation-style building on Mamane Street in the historic sugar town of Honoka'a on Hawai'i Island's Hamakua Coast. It is the only place in the community that rents DVDs, and its collection includes a photocopy of the original ships' logs that brought Portuguese immigrants to Hawai'i Island — a one-of-a-kind local history treasure.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am-2pm & 3pm-7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm |
| Wednesday | 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm |
| Thursday | 11am-2pm & 3pm-7pm |
| Friday | 12pm-4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 45-3380 Mamane Street, Building 3, Honokaa, HI 96727
Phone: (808) 775-8881
Website: librarieshawaii.org
Plus Code: 73G63GGQ+Q3 (Honokaa, HI)
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📖 About Honoka'a Public Library
The Honoka'a Public Library is one of 51 branches of the Hawai'i State Public Library System (HSPLS), serving the Hamakua Coast community of Honoka'a and surrounding rural North Hilo communities. The 3,040-square-foot plantation-era building was constructed in 1936 and opened on June 15, 1937, making it one of the older HSPLS branch buildings still in active use. The library holds a photocopy of the original ships' logs that carried Portuguese immigrant laborers to Hawai'i Island during the plantation era — a primary source unique to this branch. It also operates the only DVD rental service in the Honoka'a community. Regular programming includes Keiki Storytime every Tuesday morning for families with children ages 0-5, an Alphabet Storytime that builds early literacy skills, an adult Zine Club on Wednesday evenings, a monthly Crochet Circle, and community events on topics ranging from wildfire preparedness to nutrition outreach. The branch has 8 public computers, free Wi-Fi, photocopying, and a book drop.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Plantation-era building constructed in 1936 and opened June 15, 1937 — one of the older active HSPLS branches
- Houses a photocopy of the original ships' logs recording the arrival of Portuguese immigrants to Hawai'i Island — a unique local history resource
- The only DVD rental service available in the Honoka'a community
- Active Keiki Storytime every Tuesday morning for families with children ages 0-5
- Evening hours on Mondays and Thursdays until 7 p.m. for working families and after-school visitors
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Honoka'a Public Library cardholders can borrow digital titles and access statewide resources free of charge:
📚 Services
- DVD collection — the only DVD rental in the Honoka'a community
- Local history collection including photocopy of Portuguese immigrant ships' logs
- 8 public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Photocopying and book drop-off
- Handicap-accessible parking
- SNAP benefits outreach (monthly on-site specialist from Hawaii Island Food Basket)
- Interlibrary loan through HSPLS
🎸 Programs
- Keiki Storytime — every Tuesday 10-10:30 a.m. for families with children ages 0-5
- Alphabet Storytime — early literacy letters, songs, and crafts, every Tuesday
- Zine Club — DIY publications for teens and adults, Wednesday evenings
- Crochet Circle — monthly on Monday evenings
- Community education events (wildfire preparedness, nutrition outreach, and more)
- Friendship Bracelet making and other craft events for school-age keiki
📍 Nearby Libraries on the Hamakua Coast & North Hilo
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Honoka'a Public Library open, and what makes the building special?
The library building was constructed in 1936 and officially opened on June 15, 1937. It is a 3,040-square-foot plantation-style structure on Mamane Street, reflecting the historic sugar-plantation era of the Hamakua Coast. It remains one of the older active branch buildings in the Hawai'i State Public Library System.
What is the Portuguese ships' logs collection at Honoka'a Public Library?
The branch holds a photocopy of the original ships' logs documenting the voyages that brought Portuguese immigrant laborers to Hawai'i Island during the plantation era. This is a unique local history resource not held at other HSPLS branches, making Honoka'a the go-to spot for researchers tracing Portuguese-Hawaiian heritage.
Does Honoka'a Public Library still rent DVDs?
Yes — the Honoka'a Public Library is the only place in the Honoka'a community that rents DVDs. With no commercial video-rental stores left in the area, the library's DVD collection serves as an important entertainment and educational resource for residents.
What are the library's hours, and are there any evening or weekend hours?
The library is open Monday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. (with a midday break), Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and Friday 12 to 4 p.m. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The Monday and Thursday evening hours (until 7 p.m.) are convenient for working families and after-school visits.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.