Keaʻau Public and School Library
🏢 Hawaii State Public Library System · Keaau, Hawaii
Keaʻau Public and School Library
The Keaʻau Public and School Library opened September 30, 1974 on the campus of Keaʻau Middle School in the Puna district of Hawai'i Island. Designed by Matsunaga, Sako & Associates, it serves both the school community and the broader Keaʻau neighborhood — and gained community-wide recognition in 2014 when it offered free 24/7 Wi-Fi during the devastating June 27th lava flow and Hurricane Iselle. It is also an authorized U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm-4pm & 5pm-7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm |
| Thursday | 12pm-4pm & 5pm-7pm |
| Friday | 12pm-4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 16-571 Keaau Pahoa Road, Keaau, HI 96749
Phone: (808) 982-4281
Website: librarieshawaii.org
Plus Code: 73F6JXC6+VX (Keaau, HI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Keaʻau Public and School Library
The Keaʻau Public and School Library is a combined public-and-school library of the Hawai'i State Public Library System (HSPLS), located on the campus of Keaʻau Middle School at 16-571 Keaau Pahoa Road in the Puna district of Hawai'i Island. Designed by the architectural firm Matsunaga, Sako & Associates, the library opened on September 30, 1974. Keaʻau serves a rapidly growing community in lower Puna, and the library has been a resilience anchor during natural disasters: in 2014 it offered temporary free 24/7 Wi-Fi to Puna residents displaced or affected by both the June 27th lava flow and Hurricane Iselle — one of the most powerful storms to hit the Big Island in decades. The library celebrated its 40th anniversary on November 25, 2014. Today it holds 8 public computers, 64 magazine titles, 2 newspapers, free Wi-Fi, photocopying, and a book drop. It is one of only a handful of HSPLS branches that serves as an authorized U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility, accepting passport applications for residents of the Puna district.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened September 30, 1974 on Keaʻau Middle School campus — a combined public-and-school library serving students and the broader Keaʻau community
- Offered free 24/7 Wi-Fi to Puna residents during the 2014 June 27th lava flow and Hurricane Iselle — a lifeline during back-to-back natural disasters
- Authorized U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility for Puna district residents
- Evening hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7 p.m. for working families and students
- Largest magazine collection among nearby Big Island branches — 64 titles available
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Keaʻau cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through the HSPLS statewide digital collection:
📚 Services
- U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility (applications accepted on-site — call for processing hours)
- 8 public computers, 64 magazine titles, 2 newspapers, free Wi-Fi
- Photocopying and book drop-off
- Located on Keaʻau Middle School campus — accessible to school and community
- Handicap-accessible parking (2 spaces)
- Interlibrary loan through HSPLS
🎸 Programs
- Fall Storytime — Tuesday mornings 10:30-11:30 a.m., stories and crafts for all ages
- Summer Reading Program
- Community Wi-Fi access (extended during local emergencies as needed)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Puna & East Hawai'i
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keaʻau Public and School Library open to the general public, or only to school students?
The Keaʻau Public and School Library is open to all Hawaii residents, not just students at Keaʻau Middle School. It is a combined public-school library of the Hawai'i State Public Library System, and anyone with a valid HSPLS library card can borrow materials, use computers, and attend programs.
Can I apply for a U.S. passport at the Keaʻau Public and School Library?
Yes — Keaʻau Public and School Library is an authorized U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility, one of only a handful of HSPLS branches to offer this service. Bring your completed DS-11 form, proof of citizenship, photo ID, and passport photo. Call (808) 982-4281 for current passport processing hours and any appointment requirements.
How did the library help the Puna community during the 2014 disasters?
During the summer of 2014, Puna faced two major crises back to back: the June 27th lava flow that threatened homes and infrastructure, and then Hurricane Iselle, one of the strongest storms to hit the Big Island in decades. The Keaʻau Library responded by offering temporary free 24/7 Wi-Fi to Puna residents, providing a vital communications lifeline when many were evacuated or cut off from services.
What are the library's evening hours?
The library has evening hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, staying open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then 5 to 7 p.m. on those days. Monday and Wednesday hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and Friday is 12 to 4 p.m. The library is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance 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.