Lihue Public Library
🏢 Hawaii State Public Library System · Lihue, Kauaʻi
Lihue Public Library
Kauaʻi's county-seat library sits inside a landmark 1969 building at 4344 Hardy Street in Lihue, its sweeping paraboloid roof rising over lava-rock walls. Part of the Hawaii State Public Library System, it stays open until 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays for after-work and after-school visits.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–4pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–4pm |
| Friday | 11am–4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 4344 Hardy Street, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-3222
Website: librarieshawaii.org
Plus Code: 73H2XJGP+M4 (Lihue, HI)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📍 Plan your visit
🚉 Getting there
4344 Hardy St, Lihue, HI 96766. Get transit & driving directions → (live subway, bus & car routes).
♿ Accessibility
Includes wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible parking.
⭐ Visitor rating
4.4 / 5 from 30 Google reviews.
🕑 Best time to go
Usually calmest soon after opening; busiest around 2 pm.
Visit details from the library’s Google Business Profile, verified October 2026 — confirm on official page before a special-date trip.
📖 About Lihue Public Library
The Lihue Public Library serves the county seat of Kauaʻi and is one of the branches of the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), the only statewide public library system in the United States. Its current building at 4344 Hardy Street was dedicated on August 23, 1969, from a 1968 design by architect Stephen Oyakawa — a T-shaped, modern-regionalist structure with a distinctive paraboloid roof that sweeps up from battered lava-rock-veneer walls, with meeting rooms in the front wing and the library and offices to the rear. A 2013 ADA renovation replaced the air-conditioning system, added new picture windows, fresh carpeting and upgraded lighting, and the branch reopened that October with a hula blessing. Because it belongs to HSPLS, a single Hawaiʻi library card borrowed here works at every public library in the state and unlocks the shared statewide catalog and digital collections.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Housed in a landmark 1969 building by architect Stephen Oyakawa — a paraboloid roof sweeping over lava-rock-veneer walls, a noted example of Hawaiian modern regionalism
- Part of the Hawaii State Public Library System, the only statewide public library system in the U.S. — one card borrows at every branch in Hawaiʻi
- Open until 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday for after-work and after-school visits
- Free public computers, Wi-Fi and access to the shared HSPLS statewide catalog and licensed research databases
- Supported by the Friends of the Līhuʻe Public Library, who fund programs and materials through book sales and donations
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
With any Hawaiʻi library card, Lihue patrons can stream, download and research free through the statewide HSPLS collections:
📚 Services
- Access to the shared HSPLS statewide catalog and interlibrary requests
- Free public computers, printing & Wi-Fi
- Licensed research databases & digital learning tools
- Meeting-room space in the building's front wing
- Book sales and material support through the Friends of the Līhuʻe Public Library
- Reference and reader's-advisory help from branch staff
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes
- Summer reading program
- All-ages reading and literacy programming
- Community events supported by the Friends of the Library
📍 Nearby Libraries on Kauaʻi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Lihue Public Library's hours, and which nights is it open late?
The library is open Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. The Monday and Wednesday evening hours make it the easiest branch on Kauaʻi to reach after work or school.
Why does the Lihue Public Library building look so distinctive?
The building was dedicated on August 23, 1969, from a 1968 design by architect Stephen Oyakawa. Its sweeping paraboloid roof rises over battered walls faced in local lava rock — a well-known example of Hawaiian modern regionalism — with meeting rooms in the front wing and the library toward the rear.
I have a library card from another Hawaiʻi island — can I use it in Lihue?
Yes. Lihue Public Library is part of the Hawaii State Public Library System, the only statewide public library system in the country. A single HSPLS card works at every public library in Hawaiʻi and gives you the same access to the statewide catalog, Libby, Kanopy and the licensed research databases.
Who are the Friends of the Līhuʻe Public Library?
The Friends of the Līhuʻe Public Library are a volunteer nonprofit that raises money through book sales and donations to fund programs, materials and improvements the state budget doesn't cover. Joining or donating is one of the most direct ways to support this branch.
🖨 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.
🔗 More ways to use the Līhuʻe Public Library
⭐ 4.4 out of 5 on Google, based on 30 visitor reviews (as of October 2026). See reviews & photos on Google Maps →
📅 This library has meeting-room space. See how to reserve library meeting rooms and find other libraries that offer them here.
📚 This library runs children's story times. See how library story times work and find other libraries that host them here.
📍 More Hawaii State Public Library System branches
❓ More questions
How do visitors rate the Līhuʻe Public Library?
On Google the branch has a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 30 visitor reviews (as of October 2026). You can read them and see photos on its Google Maps listing.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.