Līhuʻe Public Library
🏢 Hawaiʻi State Public Library System — Kauaʻi
Līhuʻe Public Library
As the regional library for the entire island of Kauaʻi, the Līhuʻe Public Library is the county's largest branch, in the civic heart of Līhuʻe within walking distance of the island's State and County government offices.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–4:30pm |
| Friday | 9am–4:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 4344 Hardy Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
Phone: 808-241-3222
Website: librarieshawaii.org
📖 About Līhuʻe Public Library
Kauaʻi's public library tradition runs deep in Līhuʻe: the island's first purpose-built public library opened in 1924 in the Albert Spencer Wilcox Building on Rice Street, funded by a $75,000 gift from Emma Kauikeolani Wilcox and designed by architect Hart Wood. That building served the community until 1969, when the State of Hawaiʻi opened a new, larger facility and the historic structure was folded into the Kauaʻi Museum. Today the Hardy Street library functions as the regional hub of the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System on Kauaʻi, anchoring service for the whole island and supported by the volunteer-run Friends of the Līhuʻe Public Library.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Regional library serving all of Kauaʻi and the largest branch on the island
- Central Līhuʻe location beside the State and County government buildings
- Backed by the Friends of the Līhuʻe Public Library, a local nonprofit support group
📱 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
Where was Kauaʻi's original public library, and is that building still standing?
The island's first purpose-built public library opened in 1924 in the Albert Spencer Wilcox Building at 4428 Rice Street in Līhuʻe, funded by a $75,000 donation from Emma Kauikeolani Wilcox. It served as the library until 1969, when the state opened a new facility; the historic Rice Street building is now part of the Kauaʻi Museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What makes the Līhuʻe branch different from Kauaʻi's other libraries?
Līhuʻe is the regional library for Kauaʻi within the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, meaning it is the island's largest branch and central hub rather than a small community branch like Princeville or Kapaʻa.
When does the Līhuʻe library stay open into the evening?
The branch offers extended evening hours until 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday it closes earlier at 4:30 p.m., and it is closed on weekends.