Most states are facing big problems as they draft their budgets for the next fiscal year, and Hawaii is no exception.  The state has had to impose employee furloughs, pay adjustments, and given state agencies much smaller budgets to work with.  This has certainly meant readjustments in state services, but also - not surprisingly - an outpouring of help and Aloha from our residents.

For instance, several libraries have had to reduce hours and even faced closure.  But 2 fundraising drives, aimed at helping to keep them open, have collected more than $130,000 in the last month, and already have lifted the "closed" sign off one Big Island library.

The state Public Library System's "Keep Your Library Open!" campaign had taken in $59,884 as of Friday. A companion drive, "Keep the Doors Open!," administered by the Friends of the Library of Hawai'i, has collected $71,776.  Donations have come from a variety of sources, from anonymous individuals who dip into their own wallets to preschool classes and cafeteria workers who have organized their own fund drives.  The money will be used for basic necessities, from buying books to paying utility bills. 

Friends of the Library of Hawai'i Executive Director Byrde Cestare said her organization undertook the fund drive as a separate initiative from its ongoing efforts to raise money for library programs not otherwise included in the operating budget.  "In normal times, we would not be supplanting state funds," said Cestare. "But these are extraordinary times."

Other examples of folks working together to find solutions to our budget shortfall have been seen in our schools.  Teachers have been given furlough days, but the YMCA has promised child programs all day for those days, parents have offered to pay teachers separately to teach on those days - and there have been many more ideas considered.

Hawaii Kai does have public schools, and a very cohesive community.  It is heartwarming to see the spirit of Aloha truly at work throughout the state, as we work together to support our community services.  Contact me for real estate opportunities on our island, and to learn more about our Hawaii Kai lifestyle.