North Shore News1968, the Beatles “Hey Jude” reached number one, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated, and the Vietnam War raged on. MacDonald’s introduced the Big Mac for $.49, a new car averaged at $2822, while a home cost $4344. But, in a little town, where once a thriving sugar mill stood, on the Northeast shore of Oahu an experiment was about to unfold. The Kahuku Community School Library opened its doors to students and residents on November 25th, 1968. This bold experiment allowed students and residents of the community spanning the entire Ko‘olauloa region to interact and congregate, sharing the riches of the written word and to talk story of times long gone. In 1986, the name was formally changed to The Kahuku
Public and School Library. Today the library stands within the Kahuku Intermediate and High School campus allowing easy access to information, books or technology needed during the school year, and summer.
Commemorating 50 years of service, the Kahuku library plans to usher in the next fifty years with events remembering the past and celebrating the future.
During November, each Tuesday evening (the 13th, 20th, and 27th) the library will gather the patrons and the public to celebrate this successful experiment.
On the 13th, a film festival featuring movies filmed in or around Kahuku: Paradise Hawaiian Style, North Shore, Johnny Lingo, and local documentaries. In addition, P. Koa Luke, an ‘Ulu ‘Ulu film archivist will be a guest speaker.
On the 20th, a presentation of Kahuku Plantation Life from the Women’s Perspective, moderated by Jr. Primacio and Buddy Ako includes a panel of women with direct affiliation with Kahuku Plantation, a screening of Kahuku: Survival of a Plantation, door prizes and refreshments.
On the 27th, a culminating event with entertainment by Kahuku High Alumni Vaihi and A Touch of Gold, a vocal group known for singing oldies, special performances by student groups, and speeches from our library staff and elected officials. Lastly, Plastic Free HI, part of the Kokua Foundation will present the Sifty Fifty Winner.
We hope to see you there.