Book giveaway event set for Aug. 24 at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School

Five thousand books will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis to Maui students during a “Reading Opens the World” event from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School in Lahaina.

Students can pick up to five books each, or 20 per family.

The event for students from pre-kindergarten to high school is being hosted by the University of Hawai’i Professional Assembly in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers and University of Hawai’i Maui College.

“Our hope is that this family-friendly community event will not only fill the need for new books, but also restore a passion for life and the future among Maui youth,” said Nani Azman, a professor at UH Maui College and vice-president of UHPA, the faculty union.

Reading Opens the World is a program sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers and First Book, which recently celebrated a milestone of giving away more than 10 million brand new free books over the last decade to help children discover the joy of reading.  Together, the two organizations have co-sponsored more than 700 events in 41 states to promote literacy to thousands of attendees, particularly in under-resourced communities. The first Hawaiʻi event will be held in Lahaina.

Entertainment/activities include readings by Maui author Lori Abreu, music groups, Lahaina firefighters and fire truck, free popcorn and cotton candy and storytellers.

For more information, call 808-593-2157.