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By now many people are familiar with the AFT’s Reading Opens the World events, where educators have distributed more than 10 million free books—yes, 10 MILLION—from the AFT and First Book to children and their families across the country. But in Hawaii, there is a twist: The people handing out books are college professors. Here come copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and My Grandfather’s Song, given out by faculty who teach college-level English or psychology, music or business.
What’s the connection? The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, the AFT-affiliated faculty union there. UHPA President Karla Hayashi says distributing these books at their Aug. 24 event in Lahaina was part of the union’s effort to connect with communities around UH campuses. Giving away books is about promoting literacy at an early age, so children are prepared for college. And it’s about being of service to people in Hawaii.
Since affiliating with the AFT earlier this year, UHPA has been eager to mirror the spirit of service modeled by the national union. “I think it’s something that attracted us to AFT,” says UHPA Executive Director Christian Fern. While UHPA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, its affiliation with the AFT was recently established—in January 2024—and Fern says this local admires the value AFT places on community and connection.
UHPA chose Lahaina as the location for its first book giveaway, since so many people there lost their homes during the wildfires. The university was already involved in relief efforts: The Federal Emergency Management Agency offices were based on the Maui campus, and everyone stepped up to help with food distribution for those in need, says Fern. “It’s our kuleana [the Hawaiian word for responsibility] to help uplift the communities that our members serve. … When you’re supporting your members and you’re supporting the places that they serve, especially here in Hawaii, the communities are really a part of it.”
“Sometimes unions get some flack about only concerning themselves with their own interests,” adds Fern. “I think it’s important for us to try and get beyond that.”
Literacy from the beginning
Hayashi describes building a literacy pipeline as another reason UHPA is involved in book giveaways. Along with other UHPA members, Hayashi and Fern are involved with Hawaii’s P20, an organization committed to improving educational outcomes in the state. The group worked with the state Department of Education and community partners to build Hawaii’s comprehensive literacy plan.
“Obviously, if the students who come to us struggle with literacy, they’re going to struggle with college or university,” says Hayashi. “Promoting literacy is something I believe we at the university need to do.”
“One of the biggest predictors of success is not fancy schools or tutors,” Nani Azman, a psychology professor and UHPA vice president, told KITV’s Island Life Live. “It’s how often did you get read to as a kid? How many books were in your house?”
UHPA, the AFT and First Book distributed 5,000 books during the Lahaina event, and families also enjoyed treats like cotton candy, live music and read-aloud time. Local author Lori Abreu read from her book, Moʻo and Koholā, about humpback whales who demonstrate compassionate friendship and a spirit of “aloha.” And firefighters showed up with their trucks, an especially powerful visit given their work during the fires last August. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda also attended.
“Growing up, books were often my escape from whatever was going on in my life. They still are,” Tokuda told University of Hawaii News. “Our Maui ʻohana [family] has been through so much this past year, and seeing the smiles of our keiki [children] and families as they received these books was truly heartwarming. I want to extend a warm mahalo [thank you] to UHPA, AFT and First Book for sharing their aloha with the people of Maui. Today’s event was about so much more than handing out free books—it’s about giving our keiki a brighter future and offering hope to our families and community here on Maui.”
[Virginia Myers]