More than 150 community members gathered at Windward Community College¡¯s Hale Laʻakea Library in August for E Heluhelu K¨¡kou! (Let¡¯s Read!) Swimmin¡¯ Into Stories, the college¡¯s second annual Keiki (children) Reading Day.
This year¡¯s event celebrated iʻa (fish), inviting keiki and their ʻohana (family) to experience the library through Hawaiian storytelling, mele, hula and hands-on activities. Keiki explored the library through a scavenger hunt, created fish-themed crafts and tried gyotaku fish printing.
“Keiki Reading Day gives our youngest community members a positive, welcoming first experience with the library and our college. We hope that connection stays with them, and that they think of Windward Community College as a place they belong when it¡¯s their turn to pursue higher education,” said Cindy Texeira, Â鶹´«Ã½ resource librarian.
UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Librarian Keahiahi Long and library and information science students volunteered at the event, reading to keiki, sharing ³¾´Çʻ¨±ô±ð±ô´Ç (stories) in Hawaiian and leading crafts and more.
Several ʻohana who participated in the inaugural event returned this year. Families shared positive feedback about exploring the library and activities.
—By Nakoa Camvel
