Waimea Public Library (Kauaʻi)
🏢 Hawaii State Public Library System · Waimea, Kauaʻi
Waimea Public Library
Perched at the edge of the South Shore of Kauaʻi in the historic town where Captain Cook first set foot on Hawaiian soil in 1778, Waimea Public Library serves the island's westernmost community at 9790 Kaumualiʻi Highway. It stays open late on Monday and Wednesday evenings — the only public library within reach of residents between Hanapēpē and Pōʻipū on that side of the island.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–4pm, 5pm–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–12pm, 1pm–4pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–4pm, 5pm–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–12pm, 1pm–4pm |
| Friday | 12pm–4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 9790 Kaumualiʻi Highway, Waimea, HI 96796
Phone: (808) 338-6848
Website: librarieshawaii.org
Plus Code: 73H2X84J+73 (Waimea, HI)
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📖 About Waimea Public Library
Waimea Public Library is a branch of the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), the only statewide public library system in the United States, serving the small coastal town of Waimea on Kauaʻi's southwestern shore. Waimea holds a unique place in Hawaiian history: on January 20, 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook anchored at the mouth of the Waimea River, making first recorded European contact with the Hawaiian Islands. The town — whose name translates from Hawaiian as 'red water,' a reference to the reddish sediment carried by the Waimea River — is also the gateway to Waimea Canyon, known as the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific,' a dramatic gorge 10 miles long and more than 3,600 feet deep carved into Kauaʻi's interior. The library at 9790 Kaumualiʻi Highway serves a community of roughly 2,000 residents and is the closest HSPLS branch to the Waimea Canyon corridor. Because it belongs to HSPLS, a single Hawaiʻi library card obtained here works at every public library in the state and unlocks the shared statewide digital catalog.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Serves Waimea, Kauaʻi — the historic site where Captain James Cook made first recorded European contact with the Hawaiian Islands on January 20, 1778
- Gateway library for Waimea Canyon, the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific,' a 3,600-foot-deep gorge just inland from town
- Open Monday and Wednesday evenings until 7 p.m. — the only late-hours library serving Kauaʻi's southwestern shore
- Part of the Hawaii State Public Library System — one HSPLS card borrows at every library branch across the state
- Free public computers, Wi-Fi and access to the statewide HSPLS catalog and licensed research databases
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
HSPLS cardholders at Waimea borrow and research free through Hawaiʻi's statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Access to the shared HSPLS statewide catalog and interlibrary loan (51 branches across 6 islands)
- Free public computers, printing & Wi-Fi
- Licensed research databases and digital learning tools
- Libby / OverDrive and Kanopy streaming via HSPLS statewide subscription
- Reference and reader's-advisory assistance from branch staff
- Self-checkout available
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth reading programs
- Summer Reading Program (all ages)
- Adult literacy and community programming
- Community events and cultural programs
📍 Nearby Libraries on Kauaʻi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Waimea Public Library's hours, and why are they split during the day?
The library is open Monday and Wednesday from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. and again 5 p.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–4 p.m., and Friday from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. The split schedule — with a midday break on most days — is standard across many HSPLS branches system-wide. Monday and Wednesday evenings until 7 p.m. are the best times for after-work visits.
Is the Waimea library connected to Waimea Canyon — the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific'?
Geographically yes: the library on Kaumualiʻi Highway is the closest HSPLS branch to Waimea Canyon State Wilderness Park, whose entrance road begins just uphill from town. The canyon is 10 miles long, up to 3,600 feet deep, and is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. While the library does not manage the park, it is a natural starting point for visitors picking up maps or research before heading up to the canyon or Kōkeʻe State Park.
Why is Waimea considered historically significant in Hawaiian history?
On January 20, 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook arrived at the mouth of the Waimea River with HMS Discovery and Resolution, making the first recorded European contact with the Hawaiian Islands. The town marks this event with the slogan 'Hawaiʻi's Original Visitor Destination.' A statue of Cook stands near the rivermouth in Waimea to this day.
Can I use my library card from another island at Waimea Public Library?
Yes. Waimea Public Library is part of the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), the only statewide public library system in the United States. A single HSPLS card works at all 51 branches across the state and gives full access to the shared catalog, Libby / OverDrive, Kanopy and the licensed research databases — regardless of which island issued the card.
🖨 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.
