HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System held its 2025 Summer Reading Challenge kick-off event on June 7, with hundreds of bookworms showing up to the historic state library in Honolulu to participate.
The event was complete with keiki activities, music and more, all for free.
This summer’s challenge theme is “Mele,” and invites readers to celebrate poetry, songs and storytelling as a method of connection to the diverse communities in the islands.
“Our goal is to enroll 25,000 readers this summer, and we’re thrilled to see so many families come together to celebrate books, music and learning,” said State Librarian Stacey A. Aldrich. “Hawaiʻi was once one of the most literate nations in the world. The Summer Reading Challenge is a modern way to rekindle that legacy. We encourage everyone to join this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.”
Participants can register for the challenge at their local library branch or online. The challenge runs until July 31.
Prizes for readers include tote bags, books, snacks and even a grand prize of four round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines. There are prizes for readers of all ages, from keiki to kupuna.
“We’re very proud to support the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System,” said Nainoa Mau, executive director of the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi. “We’re grateful to all our sponsors for making this day so special and for making reading fun and rewarding all summer long.”
Readers don’t need to use traditional paper books either. The library is happy to count an array of books toward reading goals, including audiobooks and e-books.
“You can read paper or plastic,” Aldrich said. “So if you can’t make it to the library to pick up a book to read or an audiobook to listen to, you can download our ‘Libby’ app and just use your library card to access audiobooks and e-books.”
The challenge is supported by the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, Alaska Airlines, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaiʻi, Pizza Hut Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union and local Friends chapters across the islands.
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit librarieshawaii.org.