Kahului resident among two statewide winners in 2026 Summer Reading Challenge

More than 25,000 people across Hawaiʻi took part in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge this year, together logging over 8.8 million minutes of reading and finishing more than 180,000 books, according to the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System.

Kahului resident Eden Bensadoun was among two people statewide selected for the Challenge’s grand prizes: round-trip airline tickets to any destination served domestically by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Bensadoun became the first adult to win a Summer Reading Challenge grand prize in the program’s history. Bensadoun completed 16 books during the eight-week Challenge and received two round-trip tickets.

The other grand prize went to Elliana Mowry, an emerging reader from Kailua-Kona on Hawaiʻi Island, who logged 808 minutes of reading and won four round-trip tickets for herself and her family.

“Her goal, since she found out about winning, is to read by herself, and she is doing so great!” said Sierra Mowry, Elliana’s mom. “This big life moment will solidify her love for reading.”

Library officials also highlighted strong turnout at branch locations.

“We were blown away this year by how many of our patrons participated in the Summer Reading Challenge, which shows how involved our community is in our library and what we have to offer,” said Allison Holbrook, branch manager of the Kailua-Kona Public Library. “We are honored to be able to provide a special space where families, teens, adults, local partners, and visitors come together to enrich their lives through literacy and learning.”

Jacob Aki, senior public affairs manager for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, said the airlines were proud to sponsor the Challenge, calling reading a lifelong pursuit for participants of all ages. Nainoa Mau, executive director of the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, said early reading habits help set keiki on a path toward long-term learning.

This year’s Challenge, themed ʻUmeke Kāʻeo—a calabash overflowing with abundance—ran June 1 through July 31. Participants of all ages could track either books completed or minutes read, earning rewards and drawing entries from sponsors along the way.