Hanapēpē Public Library
🏢 Hawaiʻi State Public Library System — Kauaʻi
Hanapēpē Public Library
The first branch library on Kauaʻi, open since 1950 in the heart of Hanapēpē — the historic west-side town billed as "Kauaʻi's Biggest Little Town" and home to Friday Art Night.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 8:30am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 4490 Kona Road, Hanapēpē, HI 96716
Phone: 808-335-8418
Website: librarieshawaii.org
📖 About Hanapēpē Public Library
Hanapēpē Public Library opened in February 1950 as the first branch library on Kauaʻi, built on former rice-paddy land after west-side residents campaigned for it. The original building was expanded over the years and gained an auditorium to host its many programs, and today the branch serves rural West Side residents as a concert venue, computer center and community hub. Its collection of roughly 21,700 titles includes a small Japanese-language collection — a nod to the immigrant merchant and farming families who built the town — and cardholders can tap eBooks and movies through Libby and Kanopy. In February 2025 the library marked its 75th anniversary with a 1950s-themed swing dance.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Kauaʻi's first-ever branch library, opened February 1950 on former rice-paddy land
- Holds a small Japanese-language collection among its ~21,700 titles, reflecting the town's plantation-era roots
- An added auditorium hosts concerts and programs; celebrated its 75th anniversary in February 2025 with a 1950s swing dance
📱 Free with a Hawaiʻi State Public Library Card
Any Hawaiʻi resident can get an HSPLS card free (visitors can buy a 3-month card) and unlock:
📍 More Hawaiʻi State Public Library System libraries
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Hanapēpē library historically significant on Kauaʻi?
It opened in February 1950 as the very first branch library on Kauaʻi, built on land once covered by rice paddies after west-side residents campaigned for it. Seventy-five years on, it remains a cultural anchor for Hanapēpē, the historic town long nicknamed "Kauaʻi's Biggest Little Town."
Does the library fit into Hanapēpē's well-known art and events scene?
Yes. Hanapēpē is famous for its Friday Art Night, and the library plays its own cultural role: its auditorium hosts concerts, story times, game nights and book clubs, functioning as a gathering place for the rural West Side.
Does the Hanapēpē library have any special collections?
Along with its general collection of roughly 21,700 titles, the branch maintains a small Japanese-language collection, plus digital access to eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and movies via Libby and Kanopy.