Volunteer Dale Peterson (in the green hat) has been pricing books for Maui Friends of the Library’s Bookstores in Lahaina for ten years. Now he’s donating his time and skill to fill 200 shelves of gently used books in a new store opening soon in Kihei. Volunteer Lura Morgan helps out. More volunteers are needed.

KIHEI — The Maui Friends of the Library (MFOL) seeks volunteers to help open and run a new bookstore planned to serve customers soon in Kihei. The organization also continues to scout for a replacement space in Lahaina, as that store was destroyed by the wildfires in August

The MFOL used bookstore in Kihei will be located at 95 East Lipoa St. in the South Maui Center near Fabiani’s Italian Restaurant and Bakery. The new bookstore will feature gently used books for all ages and interests, as well as a selection of new Hawaiiana books. Another feature will be a large children’s section.

Volunteers are sought to help stock the shelves with the hundreds of books that will be available, and to help cashier sales in the store once it opens.

One of Maui’s oldest non-profits, Maui Friends of the Library is an all-volunteer organization that has been raising funds to help the Hawaii Public Libraries in the County for more than 100 years.

The group currently operates two other bookstores in Maui — one in Queen Ka’ahumanu Center and the other in Puunene just beyond the Sugar Museum.

“We are excited to be able to provide the community with another bookstore,” said MFOL President Flo Wiger. “We have been dreaming of adding a store in Kihei for years.

“Now with our Lahaina Store taken by the fires, it’s even more important for us to have a store in Kihei. Our warehouse is packed with wonderful books for the Kihei bookstore.”

Annie Wilson, one of MFOL’s 106 dedicated volunteers, has agreed to manage the Kihei store.

“Annie is an accountant by trade and has been one of our stalwart volunteers in the Lahaina Store. She lost her home in Lahaina to the fire and has relocated to Kihei. We couldn’t be more pleased to have someone with her dedication and skills managing our store,” Wiger said.

MFOL has been a powerhouse for providing extra support for the libraries on Maui.

Through the sale of gently used books donated by the community, the group has been able to purchase a bookmobile to operate throughout the island, sponsor many special programs at the libraries, purchase needed furnishings, provide scholarships for graduate degrees in Library and Information Services, and more.

Last year alone, the group funded more than $100,000 in requests from the eight public library branches in the county, and the Holoholo Bookmobile.

People interested in volunteering can stop by the Kihei store between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications also are available online at www.mfol.org, Kihei Public Library, or at the MFOL bookstores.

Volunteers are asked to work a four-hour shift once a week. Both residents and seasonal visitors are welcome to volunteer.