WAILUKU >> Maui County wants to collect at least one ton of new and used books to be sent to the Philippines.

Mayor Alan Arakawa announced Wednesday the book drive for Maui’s sister cities in the Ilocos Norte region.

In February, a delegation of Maui officials traveled to the Philippines to formalize a sister-city agreement with Badoc. Maui’s other sister cities are Bacarra, San Nicolas and Sarrat.

During the visit, mayors told the delegation there’s a shortage of books written in English in the region.

Managing Director Keith Regan says there’s a strong desire for the people of Ilocos Norte to learn the English language and a shortage of books in English makes learning challenging.

That’s what prompted Arakawa and Regan to come up with an idea for a book drive.