5,000 new books gifted to Maui Youth through Reading Opens the World program
University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, in collaboration with AFT and First Book, gives away 5,000 new books to Maui youth through Reading Opens the World program. PC: courtesy.- University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, in collaboration with AFT and First Book, gives away 5,000 new books at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School to Maui youth through Reading Opens the World program. PC: courtesy.
- University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, in collaboration with AFT and First Book, gives away 5,000 new books to Maui youth through Reading Opens the World program. PC: courtesy.
- University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, in collaboration with AFT and First Book, gives away 5,000 new books at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School to Maui youth through Reading Opens the World program. PC: courtesy.
- University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, in collaboration with AFT and First Book, gives away 5,000 new books at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School to Maui youth through Reading Opens the World program. PC: courtesy.
- University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, in collaboration with AFT and First Book, gives away 5,000 new books at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School to Maui youth through Reading Opens the World program. PC: courtesy.
A total of 5,000 books were given out to Maui families during the “First Book” event held Saturday at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School cafeteria in Lahaina.
The University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly (UHPA), which represents faculty at all 10 University of Hawai‘i campuses statewide, partnered with AFT and First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise, to give away new, award-winning books through its Reading Opens the World program.
Each child received up to five books and families could receive a total of 20 books, available on a first come, first serve basis.
“Our goal is equitable education for all children,” said Christian Fern, UHPA executive director. “We want to improve literacy, inspire creativity, and let Hawaii youth discover new possibilities for their lives through books. Books are important for every child. Whether a family member reads to them, or they read to themselves, books spark the imagination in children.”
“With the generous support of AFT, we’re excited to be bringing the very first First Book event to our islands today, starting here in Lahaina to help families rebuild their lives and shape their own future,” he said. “We hope this is the first of many more First Book events in Hawaiʻi.”
US Rep. Jill Tokuda, who represents the neighbor islands as part of the second congressional district, was also present for the event.
“Growing up, books were often my escape from whatever was going on in my life. They still are. Our Maui ohana has been through so much this past year, and seeing the smiles of our keiki and families as they received these books was truly heartwarming,” she said. “I want to extend a warm mahalo to UHPA, AFT, and First Book for sharing their aloha with the people of Maui. Today’s event was about so much more than handing out free books—it’s about giving our keiki a brighter future and offering hope to our families and community here on Maui.”
One of the books distributed was “Moʻo and Koholā” by Lori Abreu, author and early childhood education specialist on Maui for more than 35 years. The book, influenced by the Maui wildfires, is about a gecko and a humpback whale who show how friends who may be different from each other can still be compassionate and show aloha for each other.
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