Pāhala Public and School Library
🏢 Hawaii State Public Library System · Pahala, Hawaii
Pāhala Public and School Library
Built in 1963 and renovated for accessibility in 1994, the Pāhala Public and School Library is a 4,000-square-foot community anchor in the heart of Kaʻū's former sugar town. It houses the Ka'u History Collection — available by appointment — and offers an unusually large bank of 27 public computers along with free computer classes for the rural community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–4pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–4pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 12pm–4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 96-3150 Pikake Street, Pahala, HI 96777
Phone: (808) 928-2015
Website: librarieshawaii.org
Plus Code: 73F66G3C+7H (Pahala, HI)
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📖 About Pāhala Public and School Library
The Pāhala Public and School Library was built in 1963 and stands in Pāhala, a Kaʻū district plantation town on the southern flank of Mauna Loa. The 4,000-square-foot facility was renovated for handicapped accessibility in 1994, providing seven public parking stalls and two accessible spaces. A distinctive feature is the Ka'u History Collection, a local archive available to patrons by appointment — contact the library for scheduling. With 27 public computers (one of the larger counts in the HSPLS Big Island network), free computer classes, and Wi-Fi, the branch is an important digital-access point for the rural Ka'ū community. It also participates in the ʻOhana Readers program (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliate) for children under five in the 96772 and 96777 ZIP codes, and is served by Lego Club and movie matinee programs. The library belongs to the Hawaii State Public Library System.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Built in 1963, renovated in 1994 for accessibility — a 60-year-plus anchor for the Pāhala plantation-town community in Kaʻū
- Houses the Ka'u History Collection, a local-history archive available by appointment
- 27 public computers and free computer classes — an unusually large digital-access resource for a rural Ka'ū library
- 4,000 sq ft facility with 7 parking stalls (2 accessible), book drop-off, and free Wi-Fi
- Participates in ʻOhana Readers / Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for children under five
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Pāhala cardholders access Hawaii's statewide digital collections at no cost:
📚 Services
- 27 public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Free computer classes
- Photocopying and book drop-off
- 13 magazine titles and 1 newspaper
- 6 free parking stalls (2 accessible)
- Ka'u History Collection (by appointment)
- ʻOhana Readers / Dolly Parton's Imagination Library enrollment (ZIP 96772 & 96777)
🎸 Programs
- LEGO Club — creative building sessions every other Tuesday afternoon
- Movie Matinees — family films screened on select Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
- Arts & crafts programs (Paint & Sip, dreamcatcher making, and seasonal events)
- ʻOhana Readers — free monthly books mailed to children under five
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Kaʻū & South Hawaii
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ka'u History Collection and how do I access it?
The Ka'u History Collection is a local-history archive held at the Pāhala Public and School Library, documenting the Kaʻū district and its communities. Access is by appointment — call the library at (808) 928-2015 to schedule a research visit.
How many public computers does the Pāhala library have?
The library has 27 public computers, one of the larger counts among HSPLS branches on Hawaiʻi Island. Free computer classes are also offered, making the branch a key digital-access resource for the rural Ka'ū community.
When was the Pāhala library built and has it changed since then?
The library was built in 1963. It was renovated in 1994 to improve handicapped accessibility, bringing the 4,000-square-foot facility up to modern access standards with accessible parking.
What evenings is the library open, and is it open on weekends?
The library is open until 6 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday hours are shorter (9 am–4 pm on Mon/Wed; noon–4 pm on Fri). The library is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
📜 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.