MEDIA RELEASE

Kenny Endo

Kailua-Kona Public Library, located at 75-138 Hualalai Road, will celebrate its 20th Anniversary this leap year with special programs on February 28 and 29. The public is invited to attend the free events.

The Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble will kick off the celebration on Tuesday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Adult Section. This unique cultural and educational program will introduce the various drums and percussion instruments of Japan as used in traditional and contemporary music. The Friends of the Library of Hawaii and the UH-Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program are co-sponsoring this performance.

Taiko (Japanese drums) are traditionally used to ensure an auspicious beginning to a new or renewed endeavor. The Kailua-Kona Public Library will celebrate the installation of a federally-funded photovoltaic system which is expected to generate a portion of the Library’s electricity.

Magician Arneleo (Arnie Rabin) will present “The Magic of Arneleo” on Wednesday, February 29 at 2 p.m. Arneleo has invented numerous magic routines including “Triple Rotation,” a close-up card routine that was published in “The Linking Ring,” the official journal of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The Friends of the Library of Hawaii and the Friends of the Libraries, Kona are co-sponsoring this program which will also include a contest to guess the number of books in the Library’s collection, prizes, and door prizes. Anniversary cake and juice will be served on the lanai at 3 p.m.

Kailua-Kona Public Library, the second largest library on the Big Island, opened on February 29, 1992. In addition to the new photovoltaic system, the Library features a beautiful lanai that overlooks the ocean, and a convenient drive-through bookdrop.

Contact the Library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed for these programs. For more information, please call the Library at 327-4327.