Summer Reading Challenge 2025
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawai'i State Public Library System has officially launched its 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging readers of all ages to pick up a book and earn rewards throughout the summer.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Capitol Modern
This year's theme, 'E Heluhelu Kākou – Mele', celebrates the rhythm of reading through poetry, chants, and music, highlighting the stories that connect Hawai'i's diverse communities.
The program runs from June 1 to July 31, and participants who log at least one hour of reading each week will be entered into a grand prize drawing for four roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines to any of its destinations.
'Participants can build lasting memories and connections through shared reading experiences,' said Stacey A. Aldrich, Hawai'i's State Librarian. 'In previous challenges, families and friends have enjoyed the opportunity to participate together, fostering a love for reading across generations. Through this program, we aim to encourage reading and foster a sense of community among our patrons.'Each public library across the state will offer rewards for reaching reading milestones, with some locations offering additional prizes and activities. Upon registration, all participants will receive a McDonald's 'Be Our Guest' coupon for a free ice cream cone or apple dippers.
Additional prizes include:
Beginner ʻukulele kits
Beats headphones
Teen prize drawings
Large Pizza Hut pizza coupons or gift cards
To celebrate the start of the challenge, a kick-off event will be held on Saturday, June 7, at the Hawai'i State Library in Downtown Honolulu. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., families can enjoy keiki-friendly activities like a scavenger hunt, storytime, and crafts, plus photo opportunities with Pono the Nēnē. A free outdoor concert featuring Ke'olu Music and Kawao will follow from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs.
Throughout the summer, libraries will also host a variety of cultural and educational events. Program partners include the University of Hawaiʻi's Statewide Cultural Extension Program, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Hawaiian Legacy Foundation.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
To sign up or learn more, visit librarieshawaii.org/summerreading.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Town's carnival to return for better than ever event
Wallingford is expected to put on its biggest and best annual carnival event this month with the return of the traditional celebration. Wallingford Carnival will take place on Saturday, June 21 to bring summer cheer and community spirit to the historic town centre. Dating back as far as 1929, the carnival is firmly set in the community calendar with organisers believing the event in its modern form has been going on for more than 60 years. READ MORE: 'Witty' and 'extremely intelligent' man found dead at Oxford hotel This year, the theme is 'summer solstice' to take place as is tradition on the third Saturday in June. Last year's Wallingford Carnival saw a huge turnout in a day of excitement for the town (Image: Ed Nix) Katherine Keats-Rohan, South Oxfordshire district councillor for Wallingford, said: "This is the town's longest running event and brings everyone together, young and old, in colourful and creative displays. "Wallingford has a great sense of community and events like this celebrate and reinforce that, whilst welcoming newcomers and visitors as well. Flash Sale Alert! 🌟 Dive deeper into the stories that shape Oxfordshire with Oxford Mail. Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80 per cent fewer ads on our site. 🗞️ 👇#StayInformed — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) May 26, 2025 "What will this year's Summer Solstice display bring? I can't wait to find out." The event will include stalls, music and entertainment on the Kinecroft throughout the day starting from 10am, brought together with a spectacular carnival procession at 1pm. Dancers put on a dazzling display at last year's celebration (Image: Ed Nix) It will also feature music, dance, funfair activities, as well as street food and a bar. Stall pitches are already full with weeks to go before the big day, and schools, community groups, businesses and individuals are being invited to create a float to participate in the parade. READ MORE: Abingdon: M&S new store at town retail park takes shape Floats can be made for walking, cycling or vehicles, and as big or small as the entrant likes with everyone participating for free. Last year, floats included everything from tractors and trailers to children's walking groups, and even a donkey pulling a cart. The colourful affair is sponsored by Paul Simmonds, a removals company serving the community since 1973, New Home Improvement Group, and Ask4Support Ltd, an IT company in the town. A spokesperson for Ask4Support said: "Summer is coming and so is the Wallingford Carnival. This year the theme is 'summer solstice' and we are excited to be sponsoring this amazing event. "Expect live entertainment on the Kinecroft all day, plus lots of stalls and plenty of food and drink carts to enjoy. READ MORE: Tributes to Oxfordshire 'murder victim' Rachael Vaughan "Then there will be the spectacular carnival procession at 1pm. Save the date." Businesses have been invited to join the carnival by decorating their windows on theme and enter a competition, with a prize for the best creation. The carnival is funded by income from its stalls, generous sponsors and small community grants, and put together every year by a small committee of volunteers to create a "spectacular community event."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Summer Reading Challenge 2025
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawai'i State Public Library System has officially launched its 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging readers of all ages to pick up a book and earn rewards throughout the summer. Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Capitol Modern This year's theme, 'E Heluhelu Kākou – Mele', celebrates the rhythm of reading through poetry, chants, and music, highlighting the stories that connect Hawai'i's diverse communities. The program runs from June 1 to July 31, and participants who log at least one hour of reading each week will be entered into a grand prize drawing for four roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines to any of its destinations. 'Participants can build lasting memories and connections through shared reading experiences,' said Stacey A. Aldrich, Hawai'i's State Librarian. 'In previous challenges, families and friends have enjoyed the opportunity to participate together, fostering a love for reading across generations. Through this program, we aim to encourage reading and foster a sense of community among our patrons.'Each public library across the state will offer rewards for reaching reading milestones, with some locations offering additional prizes and activities. Upon registration, all participants will receive a McDonald's 'Be Our Guest' coupon for a free ice cream cone or apple dippers. Additional prizes include: Beginner ʻukulele kits Beats headphones Teen prize drawings Large Pizza Hut pizza coupons or gift cards To celebrate the start of the challenge, a kick-off event will be held on Saturday, June 7, at the Hawai'i State Library in Downtown Honolulu. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., families can enjoy keiki-friendly activities like a scavenger hunt, storytime, and crafts, plus photo opportunities with Pono the Nēnē. A free outdoor concert featuring Ke'olu Music and Kawao will follow from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs. Throughout the summer, libraries will also host a variety of cultural and educational events. Program partners include the University of Hawaiʻi's Statewide Cultural Extension Program, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Hawaiian Legacy Foundation. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news To sign up or learn more, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Capitol Modern
The community is invited to celebrate the start of summer with Night//Shift: Summer Rising, a free evening of art, music and food hosted by the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in partnership with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Spectra Fest bringing the community together The quarterly event will be held Friday, June 6, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, located at 250 South Hotel Street in downtown Honolulu. Chris Latronic of WakeUp2Day recently visited Capitol Modern to preview the festivities, speaking with Navid Najafi, associate director of programs for Shangri La, and Karen Ewald, executive director of the State Foundation on Culture and the can look forward to a full lineup of local musical performances in the museum's Sculpture Garden: 5–6 p.m. – 2nd Nature (Gnaraly + DJ Tom) 6:15–7 p.m. – The Issentials 7:15–7:45 p.m. – Johnny Suite 8–9 p.m. – Irie Love In addition to the live music, visitors can explore Art + Flea's urban market on the Grand Lānai, featuring more than 20 local vendors offering fashion, artwork, and handmade goods. For food lovers, Chef Kealoha Domingo will serve up his signature dishes at The Café, blending traditional flavors with storytelling and cultural roots. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Admission is free, and RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
