Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP)

Helping our friends at the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System to promote their 2026 Summer Reading Challenge!

Readers of all ages are invited to sign up at the link in the post below, log their reading from June 1 through July 31, and unlock rewards!

Pre-registration for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is officially OPEN! Readers of all ages are invited to sign up today and log their reading from June 1 through July 31.

This year’s theme, “E Heluhelu Kākou ʻUmeke Kāʻeo,” celebrates a calabash overflowing with knowledge and wisdom. It is a beautiful reminder that reading can fill our minds, hearts, and communities to the brim. From spam-tastic programs to niu-knowledge and exciting literary adventures, our libraries are serving up a summer packed with unforgettable experiences for keiki, teens, and adults alike.

The more you read in June and July, the more rewards you can unlock. Plus, every book (or minutes) you log earns you entries into the grand prize drawing for roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines!

Ready to join the fun? Pre-register now at librarieshawaii.org/summerreading

Mahalo to all of our incredible Summer Reading Challenge sponsors, especially Friends of the Library of Hawai'i, Alaska Airlines, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai'i, and Pizza Hut Hawai'i. A huge shoutout to O'ahu artist Kelsie Dayna for creating this year’s amazing artwork!

This week, we had the pleasure to meet the US South Pacific Scholarship (USSP) participants during their trip to Washington DC to learn more about the US government and policy making.

Funded by the US Department of State and administered by the East-West Center, USSP is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program that provides opportunities for Master’s and Bachelor’s degree study at the University of Hawai‘i in fields that are directly relevant to the development needs of Pacific Island countries.

Thank you for another incredible Celebrate Micronesia Festival!

To our partners, sponsors, performers, vendors, artists, volunteers and all who attended, you helped to make this one of the largest and most successful CMFs ever!

The 2026 Celebrate Micronesia Festival: Ocean of Peace was hosted in partnership with Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, East-West Center, Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), Center for Pacific Islands Studies, Medical-Legal Partnership Hawaiʻi, Bess Press, Accel Events & Tents, Barbara B. Smith Endowment for Micronesian-Focused Programs, and leaders from Micronesian communities across Hawaiʻi, and in collaboration with Smithsonian Folklife.

2026 Celebrate Micronesia Festival: Ocean of Peace template by Kalany Omengkar.