Hilo library celebrating 65th anniversary

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The community is invited to Hilo Public Library’s 65th anniversary celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday with a blessing followed by entertainment, cake and refreshments.

The community is invited to Hilo Public Library’s 65th anniversary celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday with a blessing followed by entertainment, cake and refreshments.

The free event features the Royal Order of Kamehameha protocol and blessing of the Naha and Pinao stones in front of the library, Hawaiian music by Grammy and Na Hoku Hanohano winner Jeff Peterson and other local artists, hula and Historic Hilo displays.

After the Royal Order Pule (blessing), former Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim will share recollections of Hilo Public Library followed by remarks by State Librarian Stacey Aldrich.

Peterson’s slack key guitar performance is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and Halau o Mailelaulani’s hula performance is at 1 p.m.

The Friends of Hilo Public Library, Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Starbucks, AirGas Hawaii and Matheson Tri-Gas are sponsoring this special anniversary event.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha’s blessing of the legendary and sacred Naha and Pinao stones will mark the stones’ 100th year with the library. The Naha stone is believed to be what King Kamehameha lifted to affirm the prophecy that he would unite the Hawaiian Islands.

The library is located at 300 Waianuenue Ave. For more information, call 933-8888.