Hawaii State Public Library System – Kaimuki Library

This library is probably the most used, and has the best inventory of the libraries on the east side. Depending on what time you go, the parking could be full, but as another reviewer noted there is also street parking, or parking in the municipal lot. There is usually a wait to use one of their computers and on Sundays it can get pretty crowded. I like that the security guard actively patrols the parking and the library as some times there are homeless looking people around. The library is older, but clean. The free donated magazines, are usually gone quickly. If you like free magazines, go to Aina Hina instead.

I’ve visited three libraries on Oahu and this is a very good one. It is unique in at least two ways.
This location is one of the few ones that is open on Sundays. This library also has a waiting list for netbooks. They check them out for three weeks at a time, so I waited about 6 – 7 weeks before one was available. They emailed me and gave me three days to pick it up.
The library is situated on a hill and people park bikes in front. The people working there have helped me with various issues and they are friendly and knowledgeable.
The computers for public use are the same as the computers in the other libraries. They’re pretty fast and the PCs have the major applications and browsers. They let people use them for one hour at a time and you must wait an hour to use one again or you need them to reset your library card. They will reset it if there is nobody waiting and there is an open machine.

Call me a nerd, but I LOVE this library, and I love that I can walk to this branch from my house!
There’s plenty of parking, though sometimes this branch gets busy, in which case you can street park along Koko Head Ave. in front of the library, or park at the nearby municipal lot.
It’s spacious inside, with lots of seating. It’s nice to see it so busy, especially on Sundays!
Which brings me to my next point: they’re open on Sundays, when most branches are closed! The trade-​off: they’re closed on Saturdays. I can live with that.
I often come here for the magazines. There’s quite a selection for a neighborhood library, located to the left of the entrance, in an L-​shaped area. Once, I was on the hunt for a special fashion magazine found in the New York Times called «T» — and was surprised that they had it!
The librarians here are always so friendly and helpful, no matter how odd the request. The one who helped me locate the «T» magazine went through the trouble of pulling out back issues of the the New York Times before realizing they were stacked in the magazine section!
The Kaimuki branch is also active in hosting events, mostly for the keiki! They are listed on the HSPLS website, and they also have a free newsletter — you can subscribe to the emailed version online, or pick up the hard copy newsletter at the reference desk.
Support your neighborhood library!

Ok, so I’m biased because I spent many childhood days in this library. I loved going to the children’s section and picking out a book and reading it with my tutor. Now, I return as a teacher to check out book for my students. I’m so happy we still have awesome libraries where kids can learn to enjoy books!

Summer Reading Program is going on right now– they seem to be having it every June/​July for a while now.
Sunday Mornings around 10:30 they have a librarian and others read to toddlers and then they have a great art project from the stories they just read.
One day it was Miss Hawaii that read the books.
On Tuesday Nights at 5 pm they have a great small book sale out in the courtyard.
Lots going on here in the summers so visit often in the summers especially.

I love this library it’s my second or third time here. It’s quiet and the workers are very nice and friendly. The reference desk is very helpful. I went in looking for several types if specific books and came out with a stack! Now let’s see if I will read them all by… June 4^th! Lol

I agree with Unilocaler Liberty P… I too LOVE this library. It’s not my «home» library, but I wish it were. I only hang out in the «right» side of the library (the childrens section). This library is clean and organized. They also have a drive-​thru book return! Oh, and the staff are friendly, restrooms are stocked and clean, there is a lot of parking (which can be full at peak times: after-​school hours and Sundays!), and it’s in Kaimuki (a town that I hold near and dear). We will definitely be by more often for the summer reading program!