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Arts & Entertainment
Beyond Borders
Thought the closing of the Dairy Road store is the end of book-buying on Maui? Think again
by Anu Yagi
“Today we of the civilized world enjoy unique wealth more precious than gold—our wealth of accumulated knowledge in printed form,” writes Frances Rogers in his 1960 book Painted Rock to Printed Page: The Story of Writing and Printing. My copy is a ruddy little hardcover—still in its tattered sleeve—riddled with age spots and emitting a musk that makes my eyes itch. Still, I treasure it and will bury my nose in the bloom of its binding nonetheless (you have to peer extra close when allergic eyes swell shut).
Because whether newly inked or time-worn, books have an unmistakable aroma—like rain on asphalt, sex and candy or fresh-cut grass. And like sharks in chummed-up water, the heady smell alone can send bibliophilic folk (like me) into a frenzy.
My obsession began at the Kahului Public Library, with mom. I’d leave with my toddler arms and chin stretched around the tallest pile of take-home reads I could muster. And every night I fell asleep with the lights on (and still do). Soon, I was assuming the same position at rummage sales and thrift stores, and before I knew it I was a book hoarder.
Whether newly inked or time-worn, books have an unmistakable aroma — like rain on asphalt, sex and candy or fresh-cut grass.
For those who are likewise afflicted—and even to those who are casual readers (I have one friend who says he only ever reads when in jail)—last week’s announcement that Borders is closing its Dairy Road location by the end of May came as a sad shock.
Nearly $1.3 billion in debt, on February 16, 2011 Borders Group, Inc. announced it had filed for reorganization relief under Chapter 11. The company received court approval for a store reduction program, and plans to close 30 percent of their locations nationwide.
On Twitter, @mauilibrarian2 wrote to me, “Borders closing isn’t all about buying books. [It’s] sad because we’re losing a vibrant PLACE that serves as a barometer of who we are and what we value.” It’s a kind and true sentiment that can be said of any hub of knowledge in the heart of a town, corporate or no. Yet people seem to be lamenting the store’s impending closure as if its the end of book-selling on Maui altogether. To the contrary—there are still lots of places to buy books (other than the Internet).
Borders Express remains open at the Queen Kaahumanu Center and, of course, there’s the Gaussian glow of the big, new Barnes and Noble in Lahaina. But nearly every grocery store, touristy one-stop and museum gift shop has a small selection of titles, too—everything from trashy poolside reads to area guides to local lit for keiki, plus genre-specific selections at certain stores. Looking for a do-it-yourselfer how-to? Head to Lowes or Home Depot. History buff? The Bailey House Museum offers 10 percent off for members. New Age ideas tickle your fancy? Green Lotus or Lotus Heart Book & Gift Shop will guide your way. Hedging your bets by getting healthy? Down to Earth, Mana Foods and Whole Foods can help you out. And, for religious devotees, there are shops like Lilies of the Field Catholic Bookshop and Kihei Christian Bookstore.
And as for used books (in addition to local thrift stores) there are two—very special—bibliomaniac enablers on-isle: the Maui Friends of the Library (MFOL) behind the old Puunene School near the sugar mill, and JoAnn Carrol’s Old Lahaina Book Emporium, nestled in a sweet little alley off Front Street.
“Part boneyard for titles with osteoporosis-ridden spines, part monument to the infinite potential of Gutenberg’s invention, the place is one of Maui’s quintessential hidden gems,” wrote MauiTime’s Kate Bradshaw, in a July 2009 feature about the Puunene institution. The MFOL says their “qualified estimate is in excess of 180,000 books to choose from” and they charge just a dime per book (other than a few rare titles, which are still moderately priced).
Meanwhile Carrol’s shop seems ripped from my REM, with leaning, laden shelves creating a labyrinth I wouldn’t mind getting lost in. Carrol says her clientele runs the gamut, from regulars to visiting collectors and enthusiasts. Her prices are always a smidgen lower than the Internet average, and range from $1-1,000. Her vintage Hawaiiana collection is robust, and I found Max Freedom Long’s The Secret Science Behind Miracles, a book about kahuna magic, which I’d long been searching for.
Though Borders is technically competition, Carrol says that the store’s closing won’t do her any good (the two West side express locations at the Lahaina Cannery Mall and Whalers Village recently closed, too). She says used book shops like hers thrive off the flow of those who are “eager to grab the new releases, but don’t keep them.” Ultimately, she predicts, books will become obsolete entirely, with the big push toward e-books and portable readers like the Kindle.
So maybe Borders mourners are right. Perhaps this marks the beginning of a new chapter—not just the end of book selling on Maui, but book selling period. I like to think books—and bookshops—will survive. Because when I look into my crystal ball, all I see is my reflection. The reflection of a book lover who may read a lot online, but who will never relinquish reveling in the tangible page. Even if just for the smell.
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Book Nooks on Maui
The Most Comprehensive Online Listing
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Hana Public Library
P.O. Box 490, Hana; 808-248-4848
Mondays & Fridays, 8am-4pm; Tuesdays, 9am-4pm; Wednesdays & Thursdays, 11am-7pm (closed Saturdays & Sundays)
Kahului Public Library
90 School St., Kahulu; 808-873-3097
Tuesdays, 12-8pm; Wednesdays through Saturdays, 9am-5pm (closed Sundays & Mondays)
Kihei Public Library
35 Waimahaihai St., Kihei; 808-875-6833
Tuesdays, 12-8pm; Wednesdays through Saturdays, 9am-5pm (closed Sundays & Mondays)
Lahaina Public Library
680 Wharf St., Lahaina; 808-662-3950
Tuesdays, 12-8pm; Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am-5pm; Fridays & Saturdays; 10:30am-4:30pm (closed Sundays & Mondays)
Makawao Public Library
1159 Makawao Ave., Makawao; 808-573-8785
Mondays & Wednesdays 12-8pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 9:30am-5pm (closed Fridays & Sundays)
Wailuku Public Library
251 High St., Wailuku; 808-243-5766
Mondays through Wednesdays & Fridays, 9am-5pm; Thursdays 1-8pm (closed Saturdays & Sundays)
CENTRAL
Bailey House Museum’s Gift Shop
2375-A Main St., Wailuku; 808-244-3326
open Mondays through Saturdays, 10am-4pm
mauimuseum.orgBird of Paradise Antiques
56 N. Market St., Wailuku; 808-242-7699
open Mondays through Fridays, 8am-4pm; Saturdays, 10am-2pm; Sundays, 10am-4pmBorders Express
Queen Kaahumanu Center, 275 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; 808-871-6112
open Mondays through Saturdays, 9:30am-9pm; Sundays 10am-5pm
borders.comCostco
540 Haleakala Hwy., Kahului; 808-877-5248
open Mondays through Fridays 10am-8:30pm; Saturdays 9:30am-6pm; Sundays 10am-6pm
costco.comDown to Earth
305 Dairy Rd., Kahului; 808-877-2661
open Mondays through Saturdays 7am-9pm; Sundays 8am-8pm
downtoearth.orgFoodland
90 Kane St., Kahului; 808-877-2808
open daily, 6am-11pm
foodland.comGreen Garage
400 Hana Hwy., Kahului; 808-344-2269
greengaragemaui.comGreen Lotus
1816 Mill St., Wailuku; 808-244-2300
open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am-5pm
greenlotusmaui.comHome Depot
100 Pakaula St., Kahului; 808-893-7800
open Mondays through Saturdays 6am-9pm; Sunday 7am-7pm
homedepot.comKa Lima O Maui
95 Mahalani St., Kahului; 808-244-5502
open Mondays through Saturdays 6am-9pm; Sunday 7am-7pm
Kahului Airport (OGG)
1 Kahului Airport Rd., Kahului
hawaii.gov/ogg/shops-restaurantsKmart
424 Dairy Rd., Kahului; 808-871-8553
open daily, 7am-10pm
kmart.comLilies of the Field Catholic Bookstore
Main Street Promenade, 2050 Main St., Wailuku; 808-244-8030
open Mondays through Fridays, 10am to 6pm; Saturdays 9am-4pm
liliesofthefield@hawaii.rr.comLongs Drugs
Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; 808-877-0041
open daily 7-12am
Lowe’s Home Improvement
270 Dairy Rd., Kahului; 808-873-0383
open Mondays through Saturdays, 6am-9pm; Sunday 7am-8pm
lowes.comMaui Friends of the Library
behind the old Puunene School, off Hansen Rd.
open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9am-4pm (usually)
users.maui.net/~mfol/Maui Tropical Plantation
1670 Honoapiilani Hwy., Wailuku; 808-244-7643
open daily, 9am-4pm
mauitropicalplantation.comNative Intelligence
45 N. Market St., Wailuku; 808-249-2421
open Mondays through Fridays 10am-5pm; Saturdays 10am-4pm
native-intel.comRequests
10 N. Market St., Wailuku; 808-244-9315
open Mondays through Saturdays,10am-6pm
@RequestsHI on TwitterRoss Dress For Less
200 E. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului; 808-877-5483
open Mondays through Saturdays 9am-9:30pm; Sundays 10am-9pm
rossstores.com
Sack N Save
790 Eha St., Wailuku; 808-244-3656
open daily, 6am-12am
foodland.comSafeway
200 E. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului; 808-877-3377
open daily, 24-hours
safeway.comSavers
380 Dairy Rd., Kahului 808-871-7244
open Mondays through Saturdays, 9am-9pm; Sundays 10am-6pm
savers.comSpirit of Life Bookstore
King’s Cathedral, 777 Mokulele Hwy., Kahului; 808-643-7729
kingscathedral.comSt. Anthony’s Thrift Shop
1627-B Mill St., Wailuku, 808-242-7785
open Mondays through Fridays, 9am-1pm
sasmaui.org
University of Hawaii Maui College Bookstore
310 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; 808-984-3248
open Mondays through Fridays, 8:30am-4pm
bookstore.hawaii.eduWalmart
101 Pakaula St., Kahului; 808-871-7820
open daily, 6am-11pm
walmart.comWhole Foods
Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave.; 808-872-3310
open daily, 8am-9pm
wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/maui
SOUTH
Foodland
1181 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei; 808-879-9350
open daily, 24-hours
foodland.comHilo Hattie
Piilani Village Shopping Center, 297 Piikea Ave., Kihei; 808-875-4545
open daily, 9am-9pm
hilohattie.comKihei Christian Bookstore
300 E. Welakahao Rd., Kihei; 808-879-1193
open Mondays through Thursdays & Saturdays, 9am-5pm; Fridays 9:30am-10pm; Sunday, 8am-1pm
kiheichristianbookstore.comLongs Drugs
1215 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei; 808-879-2669
open daily, 7-12am
Maui Ocean Center’s Ocean Treasures Store
192 Maalaea Rd., Maalaea; 808-270-7061
open daily, 9am-5pm
mauioceancenter.comRainbow Attic
Kihei Town Center, 1881 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei; 808-874-0884
open daily, 9am-9pm
rainbowatticmaui.comSafeway
Piilani Village Shopping Center, 277 Piikea Ave.; 808-891-9120
open daily, 24-hours
safeway.comSalvation Army, Kihei
35 Hale Kuai St., Ste. 314, Kihei; 808-875-8065
open Mondays through Saturdays, 9am-5pm
salvationarmyhawaii.orgAnd, at ABC Stores and Whalers General Stores
WEST
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina; 808-662-1300
open Sundays through Thursdays, 9am-10pm; Fridays through Saturdays, 9am-11pm
barnesandnoble.comCalvary Christian Bookstore
75 Kupuohi St., Ste. #203, Lahaina; 808-667-7880
open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10am-3pm; Sundays at 10am
calvarywestside.comFoodland
Lahaina Gateway, 345 Keawe St. Lahaina; 808-662-7088 / open daily, 6am-11pm
878 Front St., Lahaina; 808-661-0975 / open daily, 6am-12am
foodland.comHilo Hattie
900 Front St., Lahaina; 808-667-7911
open daily, 9am-10pm
hilohattie.comLongs Drugs
Lahaina Cannery Mall, 1221 Honoapiilani Hwy., Lahaina; 808-667-4384
open daily, 7am-12amOld Lahaina Book Emporium
834 Front St., Lahaina; 808-661-1399
oldlahainabookemporium.comSafeway
Lahaina Cannery Mall, 1221 Honoapiilani Hwy., Lahaina; 808-667-4392
open daily, 24-hours
safeway.comSalvation Army, Lahaina
131 Shaw St., Lahaina; 808-661-8827
open Mondays through Saturdays, 9am-5pm
salvationarmyhawaii.orgWo Hing Temple Museum
858 Front St., Lahaina; 808-661-5553
lahainarestoration.org/wohing.htmlAnd, at ABC Stores and Whalers General Stores
UPCOUNTRY / EAST
Brainchild Books
4150 Hana Hwy., Haiku; 808-572-9102
by appointmentFoodland
Pukalani Terrace, 55 Pukalani St., Pukalani; 808-572-0674
open daily, 24-hours
foodland.comHasegawa General Store
5165 Hana Hwy., Hana; 808-248-7079
open Mondays through Saturdays, 7am-7pmLongs Drugs
55 Kiopaa Pl., Pukalani; 808-573-9300
open daily, 7am-10pmLotus Heart Gift & Bookstore
Temple of Peace, 575 Haiku Rd., Haiku; 808-575-5220
templeofpeacemaui.com/storeMana Foods
49 Baldwin Ave., Paia; 808-579-8078
open daily, 8am-8:30pm
manafoodsmaui.comMaui Dharma Center
81 Baldwin Ave., Paia; 808-579-8076
mauidharmacenter.orgKula Hospital’s Kala Iki Thrift Store
204 Kula Hwy., Kula; 808-878-1221
open every second and final Saturday, and every third Tuesday of the month, 9:30am-1pm
kula.hhsc.orgKeiki Kokua Thrift Store
810 Haiku Rd., Haiku; 808-575-5393
open Mondays through Saturdays, 10am-5pm
keikikokua.org/thriftstore
Maui Child Toys & Books
1158 Makawao Ave., Makawao; 808-250-6160
Mondays through Fridays 10a-5pm; Saturdays 10am-4pm
native-intel.comSt. Joseph’s Thrift Shop
1294 Makawao Ave., Makawao; 808-572-9150
open Tuesdays, Thursdays and every second Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm
sjcmaui.org
Thanks for the mention and the wonderfully hopeful article.
Thank you, @mauilibrarian2! I really appreciate your mana’o
An article from the NY times discusses why books are here to stay …
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/technology/personaltech/24basics.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage
Thanks for the link, Jon! Loved the lines, “[Books have] tremendous battery life. It is often inexpensive enough that, if you misplaced it, you would not be too upset. You can even borrow them free at sites called libraries.”
Thanks for the link, Jon! Loved the lines, “[Books have] tremendous battery life. It is often inexpensive enough that, if you misplaced it, you would not be too upset. You can even borrow them free at sites called libraries.”
[...] CLICK HERE for MauiTime‘s Arts & Entertainment feature (volume 14, issue 40): “Beyond Borders: [...]
I think sometime looking at this should help shed light on what the hell went wrong with Borders. Like how the top guys are trying to get over $8 Million in Bonus from the Bankruptcy Judge.
http://community.livejournal.com/iworkatborders/
Nice article.I really liked and enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing with all. Looking forward to have a great time.
[...] » Beyond Borders: Thought the closing of the Dairy Road store is the end of book-buying on Maui? Think… March 24, 2011 – 6:01 pm | View Comments | 147 [...]
[...] » Beyond Borders: Thought the closing of the Dairy Road store is the end of book-buying on Maui? Think… March 24, 2011 – 6:01 pm | View Comments | 148 [...]