Temporary Lahaina Public Library moves closer to opening

A temporary Lahaina Public Library is moving closer to reality as a 20-by-20-foot FORTS self-contained unit was installed Tuesday at the Lahaina Civic Center’s upper parking lot next to the Lahaina District Court. 

The temporary library will restore public library services to West Maui following the August 2023 wildfires, which destroyed the Lahaina Public Library and displaced library services from the community. 

The unit is a rapidly deployable, hard-walled facility designed to restore operations following disasters, renovations, infrastructure failures and other emergencies. HSPLS purchased the pre-owned unit for $70,000. 

Following installation, electrical and information technology infrastructure will be added to support library operations. Staff will then prepare the space, including moving books and other library materials into the unit. 

HSPLS anticipates that the preparation process will take several months, with the temporary Lahaina Public Library expected to open in early 2027, if the work proceeds as planned. 

The pop-up library is expected to offer a small collection of books and other materials, hold pickup, public computers and Wi-Fi. HSPLS staff are also identifying additional services that can be offered at the location. The library plans to continue its partnership with the Judiciary, which has provided space for library story times during the recovery. 

“Libraries are an important part of the fabric of a community, and we know how much Lahaina has missed having one,” said State Librarian Stacey A. Aldrich. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to bring services back to West Maui. We look forward to welcoming people back early next year.” 

Since the fires, HSPLS has continued providing library services to West Maui through outreach and mobile services, including regular visits by the Bookmobile. The temporary library will provide a more permanent location for residents to access books, technology, Wi-Fi and other library services while planning continues for a new, permanent Lahaina Public Library. 

HSPLS continues to work on plans for a permanent West Maui library, including identifying a suitable site and securing funding for the construction of a new facility.