Rev. Gensho Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission gives a blessing at the opening of the new Maui Friends of the Library used bookstore last week Tuesday at The Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina. Photos by Conor Bezane.

LAHAINA – More than 75 people crowded into the new Maui Friends of the Library nonprofit bookstore in Lahaina last week Tuesday after a ribbon cutting by Mayor Alan Arakawa.

The new store around the corner from movie theaters at The Wharf Cinema Center set a daily sales record, with proceeds going to support Maui’s eight public libraries.

The nonprofit store – one of only two used bookstores on Maui – carries more than 3,000 volumes that continue to be replenished by residents and visitors donating books by the sack-full, according to store manager JoAnn Carroll.

The store has a large collection of paperback fiction, mysteries and science fiction, as well as books on Hawaiiana, art, astronomy, science, philosophy, biographies, military affairs, business and management, and gardening.

The Friends bookstore opened in November but postponed a grand opening until this month in order to organize the new store.

Mayor Alan Arakawa (with bookstore Manager JoAnn Carroll) marvels at the giant scissors he used Tuesday to cut the grand opening ribbon for the bookstore.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

For more information, call Carroll, former owner of the Old Lahaina Book Emporium, at 667-2796.