09-04-2025
Local literacy nonprofit puts spotlight on National Bookmobile Day
HONOLULU (KHON2) — April 10 marks National Bookmobile Day, which celebrates vehicles that serve as moving libraries, allowing for keiki and adults alike to develop and foster a passion for literature.
In the islands, the nonprofit organization Hawaii Literacy operates two bookmobiles on Oʻahu, and one on the Big Island. Events with bookmobiles have increased in importance, aiding in filling literacy gaps during a time where funding for things such as education and literacy is uncertain.
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On Oʻahu, Hawaii Literacy's bookmobile currently serves keiki on the westside and other high-needs sites in underprivileged communities. In 2024, Hawaii Literacy was able to aid over 6,500 children and parents at 24 total sites, and was able to gift or loan out 16,300 books.
'Our basic mission is to empower Hawaiʻi's people, children and adults alike with essential reading and communication skills: it is reading, it is writing and lifelong learning, but this is to strengthen themselves as individuals, as families, as communities and even our society,' said PuaʻEna Burgess Ah Kuoi, Hawaii Literacy Bookmobile program is a common misconception that literacy is not a problem in the country–and Hawaii Literacy looks to raise literacy rates in their backyard, hopefully preventing adverse affects of illiteracy.
'We also try to address one of the most significant underlying challenges in our community and that is that one in six adults struggle with reading and writing,' Burgess Ah Kuoi said. 'This is kind of hidden. But this is closely linked to increased poverty levels, negative health outcomes, government dependence, lower graduation rates, reduced civic engagements, less job opportunities and even homelessness.'
For more information about Hawaii Literacy and their bookmobile, visit their website or watch Burgess Ah Kuoi's interview with Gina Mangieri.
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