Question: What’s going on with the Aina Haina library? The flood was months ago. I thought they would reopen by now. Students at schools nearby (Holy Nativity, Aina Haina Elementary and others) need the library.
Answer: Here’s an update from Mallory Fujitani, spokeswoman for the Hawaii State Public Library System, which includes the Aina Haina Public Library:
“Unfortunately, our timeline for reopening has been extended to February 2019. While we were making repairs and replacing the flooring, we finally received approval to renovate the bathrooms. The project kicked off last Monday and is expected to take until the end of the year.
“We know this is disappointing to many Aina Haina Public Library patrons, and we truly apologize for the inconvenience. The good news is that when we do reopen, the library will have beautiful new floors and brand-new bathrooms that are ADA compliant.
“We look forward to celebrating the reopening with the community in early 2019, but until then, please do visit our Kaimuki and Hawaii Kai libraries.”
The library was flooded on April 13 by heavy rain that also affected nearby homes and businesses. Fujitani said in May that the library hoped to reopen in August, although the date was not firm.
Q: On Aug. 23, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published a beautiful letter from Mark Eastman of Elgin, S.C., wishing aloha to everyone in Hawaii ahead of Hurricane Lane and praying for our safety. He wrote that he had such a wonderful, welcoming experience on vacation here in 2007 that Hawaii’s people feel like family, even all these years later. His letter made me cry and I kept it to remember. Now, after Hurricane Florence, I am worried about him. Can you find out if Mr. Eastman is OK?
A: Yes, Eastman and his family are doing well, although many others in his state did not fare as well. He was touched and delighted that you reached out via Kokua Line.
“We are fine. We live inland far enough away from the coastal rivers that are now cresting well over their banks and flooding,” Eastman said in an email Tuesday, following up on our initial phone call, which had occurred before some rivers overflowed.
Elgin is a small town in the center of South Carolina. Eastman said he stayed there for the duration of the storm and its aftermath, ready with a generator and large pump. Although the area got heavy rain and wind, he lost power only briefly and his house did not flood, he said.
Eastman said Kokua Line’s call on your behalf brought tears to his eyes.
“I am so humbled and appreciative of your concern. This is another reason that I love the (people of Hawaii) so much. There may be many miles between us but you are family to me and held in my heart,” he wrote.
Auwe
Tuesday’s auwe hit home with me (808ne.ws/925kline). This experienced cashier should not be so judgmental. We often take my mother-in-law shopping and she pays with her card. What the cashier doesn’t know is that most of that money is from her son, my husband, who also pays her expensive dental bills. I am also involved taking her to medical appointments, shopping, errands, etc. on my days off. She would be homeless without us. Don’t judge. — A reader
Mahalo
Mahalo to the young gentleman who helped us jump start our car on Aug. 21 in the parking lot of the Pearl City Don Quijote. We offered to pay, but he declined. Before going home, we went to a neighborhood gas station and replaced the dead battery. With sincere appreciation, we thank you for helping us with this unexpected emergency. — Very thankful couple
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
