Maika Oloaga of PF Restoration Co. delivers the last of new chairs and tables to Lahaina Public Library. The next library benefit is set for July 14.

LAHAINA — Lahaina Public Library, Maui Friends of the Library and the Rotary Club of Lahaina last week completed the first step in a three-year effort to refurbish one of the island’s first libraries with delivery of new teak furniture paid for by donated funds.

Assembled and delivered by PF Restoration Co. as a community service, the 12 chairs, three tables and three benches replace old furniture in the adult section of the library that had been under attack by termites.

Library Branch Manager Madeleine Buchanan selected the furniture for its durability, anti-termite qualities and design.

“The large arms and the lower level tables provide room for patrons to have space for their reading material while making it more inviting for other patrons to share the same table space. The chairs also are of a more generous size,” explained Buchanan.

“I hope the community will stop by and take a look at the new furniture and the plans for the library facelift,” she said. “I am so grateful for the generosity of our community to make this happen.”

The funds came from donations and proceeds gathered from the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s first annual “Savor the Sunset” library benefit held last July at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Kaanapali.

The club is planning a second fundraiser on Thursday, July 14, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the Royal Lahaina’s oceanfront lawn. The benefit will again feature Hawaiian guitar music and wine tasting at sunset, followed by the orchestra and vocal sounds of the popular Citrus College Band from California.

The Rotary Club of Lahaina currently seeks auction items for the benefit, such as island activities, sports equipment, resort stays, restaurant certificates and artwork, so that it can raise enough funds to continue an extensive remodeling that will include new bookshelves, new circulation desk and layout, new paint job and perhaps a new floor at Lahaina Public Library, according to Lahaina Rotary Club President Carmen Karady.  

Liz May, the club’s Community Program chair, promises some very creative packaging of auction items at this event.

“We’re working hard with the Royal Lahaina Resort to make ‘Savor the Sunset’ very special,” she said.

“Fellow Rotarian Liz Bell, marketing director of the Royal Lahaina Resort, and the hotel dining staff are creating a sumptuous pupu buffet, and Better Brands will host the wine tasting.”

“Our Lahaina Library needs to be a jewel in our community once again,” May added. “Our Rotary Club of Lahaina is the first organization we know of in the state ever to take on a project for a library. It’s a big undertaking for our small club, but it speaks so well to the community aspect of Rotary’s mission of promoting literacy, education.”

Organizations or individuals interested in contributing items to the auction should contact May’s office at 5A Rent-a-Space at 3600 Lower Honoapiilani Road by Times Supermarket or call 669-5200.

Reservations and tickets for the event are also being taken at this number. Tickets are $35 or $300 for tables of ten.

In related news, at Lahaina Public Library on Thursday mornings in June, keiki can color stories from around the world.

Children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade are invited for 30 minutes of coloring activities from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Materials will be provided by Lahaina Public Library

“One World, Many Stories” — story time from around the world for children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade — will be held Wednesday mornings in June from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

The Summer Reading Program runs throughout June. These activities are free with your Hawaii State Public Library System Library Card. Call 662-3950.