Programs

 The Luella and Joseph E. Spadaro Memorial Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. Spadaro lived in Waikoloa Village for many years, having previously achieved success on the mainland and Oahu.  Mr. Spadaro was an automotive educator and dedicated problem solver.  He converted Aloha Airlines fleet of equipment to propane while with Honolulu Gas Co., and later repaired the hydraulic systems on minesweepers.  Among his favorite hobbies was repairing computers, which he did until his death in 2013.  This scholarship focuses on graduating seniors who plan to attend a community college in areas that interested Mr. Spadaro.






CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated by the following criteria:

  • A commitment to enroll in a course in Auto Body Repair & Painting (ABRP), Automotive Mechanics Technology (AMT), Carpentry (CARP), Diesel Mechanics (DISL), Electrical Installation & Maintenance Technology (EIMT), Electronics Technology (ET) or Machine Welding & Industrial Mechanics(MWIM) in the Hawai’i Community College system on Hawai’i Island.  
  • Financial need
  • Two letters of recommendation – from a teacher, community member, or employer not related to applicant.



WHO CAN APPLY

Any graduating senior who meets the following qualifications: 

  • Is registered or plans to be registered as a full-time student for either a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate of Applied Science degree in a a course in Auto Body Repair & Painting (ABRP), Automotive Mechanics Technology (AMT), Carpentry (CARP), Diesel Mechanics (DISL), Electrical Installation & Maintenance Technology (EIMT), Electronics Technology (ET) or Machine Welding & Industrial Mechanics (MWIM) in the Hawai’i Community College system on Hawai’i Island.  
  • Preference will be given to students from the Waikoloa Region, but all eligible applicants will be considered.




PROCESS

Applicants must submit the following materials.  The Scholarship Committee of Kealakehe High School will screen all application packets for eligibility:  

  • Completed and signed application form
  • Two letters of recommendation from non-related:  teacher(s), counselor, community member, or employer(s).
  • A copy of student’s high-school transcript, including grades from the current fall semester
  • An essay telling us about yourself and why you want to pursue this field of study

AWARD

Tuition, Fees, required Books and Supplies, with the amount to be determined by and paid directly to the Community College, based on successful completion semester by semester.  Not to exceed 4 semesters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Friends of the Library – Waikoloa Region at 808-883-8438.

 

Baby’s First Book

In October 2015, Amalia Mueller, Project Chairwoman and Ruth Bernstone, President, delivered our first allotment of 500 books to North Hawai’i Community Hospital to be given to each new baby born in the Birthing Center.  This beautiful board book, “On the Day You Were Born” by Debra Frasier, was chosen for its beautiful pictures and verse, but also for its durability. It’s easy for babies to hold and manipulate, and stands up well to wear and tear, and even a baby chewing on it!

Friends of the Library FL-WR developed this program for our community because research has shown that reading aloud to children is the most important thing parents can do to prepare their children for reading and learning, and reading to infants contributes to the development of their growing brains and gives them a good start towards a lifetime of reading and enjoyment of literature.  

FL-WR provides approximately 400-500 books a year to the Birthing Center, delivered by our volunteer coordinator, Pat Cassell.  It is currently being funded by a grant from the County of Hawaii through Councilman Tim Richard’s discretionary funds.



Preschool Literacy Program 

This program was started by dedicated volunteers Vicki Cornel and Peter Haynes in the Spring of 2017.  They provided weekly one-on-one tutoring for pre-school children who did not speak English at home, covering familiarity with the English alphabet, vocabulary, and making letters.  Waikoloa School teachers said that children who came from the FLWR program were much more successful in class than others who spoke no English at home. The program ended February 2020 due to COVID-19.

 

Newbery Quiz – TBA

The Newbery Quiz Bowl is an annual reading competition unique to Hawai’i Island.   Students in the 4th-7th grades are eligible to form quiz bowl teams to represent their school or library in the competition. Team members are expected to read selected Newbery Award-winning books and have a comprehensive understanding of the books they read. FLWR participates by sponsoring teams and organizing the annual events.